Closings

Welcome to January!

Virginia Department of Social Services Mandated Inspections - The Fairfax County Office for Children conducts multiple site visits over the course of a year to make sure that we are maintaining all regulations and standards.  Our most recent unannounced visit occurred on Wednesday, December 18th. The Inspector spent a total of 2 hours conducting a thorough inspection of facilities, records, and most importantly the staff's interaction and overall care of children. We are very pleased to report that there were ZERO violations to be found and the Inspector was pleased with the activities and interaction he witnessed from the teachers and children. We encourage parents to read the full report which are posted on the Information Boards in both houses. All past Inspection reports can be accessed online through the VDSS website.

Winter Playground Policy - We include Free and Structured outdoor play every day and see this as a vital part of your child's schedule. If your child is not able to participate in outdoor play for whatever reason, we ask that you keep them at home. During periods of extreme cold, playground times may be shortened. Young Toddlers go out once every morning. Children ages 2 and older go out twice a day, once in the morning and once in the late afternoon. Children will remain inside for any active snow showers.

In order for your child to comfortably play outside, they will need the proper attire, to include:

  • Sturdy shoes/boots and socks

  • Hats

  • Gloves/Mittens

  • No Scarves

  • IF there is snow on the ground, you may bring a snowsuit - We are only able to play in the snow if at least 5-8 children (depending on the classroom) have proper cold-weather attire.

All playground visits are at the discretion of the Director and may be modified during extreme temperatures/weather.

Weather-Related Closings & Delays:

YCP follows the Federal Government (OPM) for Closings and Late-Arrival procedures based on Weather and Emergencies. Emails WILL be sent for ALL weather related events.

On the days when YCP has a delayed opening, Morning Snack will not be served. Please make sure your child has been fed before bringing them.

Emergency Closings during a Federal Holiday:

An Independent Decision will be made for any Emergency Closings during a Federal Holiday where YCP is open - this decision will be made no later than 5:30am on the day of. 

Do not check the OPM site during Federal Holidays as the status will reflect Normal Operating Procedures and not display Emergency Closures on Holidays.

Weather-Related Early Dismissals:

In the event of Unscheduled Leave, Unscheduled Telework, Liberal Leave, or Early Dismissals the Center will make an Independent Decision guided by the status of OPM and FCPS (Fairfax County Schools) and local Weather Reports. All Early Dismissals will be given with as much advance notice as possible as we understand this to be an inconvenience.

Decisions will always err on the side of safety for our staff and families traveling to and from school. The Center is also mindful of parent’s schedules and will try to remain open for the convenience of our working parents as much as possible - this is the reason we choose NOT to follow FCPS for all closings/delays/dismissals.

For Emergency Closings:

During all other emergency closings, including but not limited to Terrorist Alerts, the Center will observe Fairfax County Public School Procedures.  Please ask to see a copy of our Emergency Preparedness Policies and Procedures at the front desk for further information.

To check YCP’s status during an emergency, please go to:

REMINDER: Closings, Delays, and Early Dismissals will be at the discretion of the Director.

Events

January Monthly Activity Calendars and Lunch Menu are now posted online.

We will be OPEN Monday, January 20th (MLK Day.)

Welcome to March!

Re-Registration - You will find Re-Registration forms in your child's Tote Bag by Monday, March 11th.  If you would like to continue at YCP for the upcoming Academic year, please indicate on the form. All re-registration forms must be accompanied by the fee to guarantee your child's spot. Those who will be leaving us, must include a date as to your child's last day - we ask you to put down a specific day with the understanding that this might shift a day or two. Further information will be included on the form. Forms are due by April 1st and payment may be made via separate check or online.

Grasshopper Summer Registration - We will be again offering a Grasshopper-only Summer Program, broken into two sessions. Parents please look for further information to be placed in your child's tote by Monday, March 11th.

Immunization Audit - The Health Department is scheduled to come and check our Immunization Records during the month of March. If your child has recently had or is about to have their 12-month, 18-month, or 4-year Annual check-up, please remember to bring in those immunization records. We appreciate everyone's cooperation!

Parking Lot - Please make sure that all speeds remain under 5 MPH when driving through the property - especially during the hours of 3:30 - 5pm (when children are going between buildings and playground.) And please slow down and look when turning corners and backing out of parking spaces.

YCP Opening & Closing Clarifications - The Center follows the Federal Government (OPM) for all Closings and Late Arrivals based on weather.

In the event of Unscheduled Leave, Unscheduled Telework, Liberal Leave, or Early Dismissals the Center will make an Independent Decision guided by the status of OPM and FCPS (Fairfax County Schools) and local Weather Reports. All Early Dismissals will be given with as much advance notice as possible as we understand this to be an inconvenience.

An Independent Decision will also be made for any Emergency Closings during a Federal Holiday where YCP is open - this decision will be made no later than 5:30am on the day of. 

Emails WILL be sent for ALL weather related events. If you are uncertain about a potential delay during school hours, you may call us on the day in question for verification.  

Decisions will always err on the side of safety for our staff and families traveling to and from school. The Center is also mindful of parents schedules and will try to remain open for the convenience of our working parents as much as possible - this is the reason we choose NOT to follow FCPS for closings/delays/dimissals.

Reminder: All Closings, Late Procedures will be at the discretion of the Director.

Events

March Monthly Activity Calendars and Lunch Menu are now posted online.

Welcome to October!

Halloween - We are very excited for the first Holiday of the Season! A few reminders:

  • Please bring a Small/Medium Pumpkin for your child to decorate no later than Monday, October 23rd.
  • Halloween Party (kids-only) will be on Tuesday, October 31st. Little Kids (including Infants) in the morning and Big Kids in the afternoon.
  • Please bring your child's costume in a separate bag - teachers will change your child into their costume just before the party.
  • We welcome Snack Donations for the parties - please look for Snack Sign-Up Sheets, remember no candy. nuts, or juices are allowed.
  • YCP will close promptly at 5pm on Tuesday, October 31st.
  • Please email info@yourchildsplaceva.com if you would like pictures of your children from the Halloween Party sent to you.

Federal Holiday Policy - YCP will remain open on a select number of Federal Holidays so that we may close for an equal amount of days over the Winter Holiday Break. Full Tuition applies during the Winter Break. And a reminder that if an Emergency Closing (like snow) falls on a Federal Holiday where YCP is open, all Closings/Late Procedures will be at the discretion of the Director.

All Holidays can be found on our Website Calendar or on our School Calendar.

Volunteer Readers - The Grasshopper Class is looking for family volunteers to come in once a month (or more depending on interest) to read to the Class. Books will be provided and we ask that you read no more than two books. Scheduled times will be on Fridays and can be either at 9:30am or 12noon. We will place a sign-up sheet near the Communication Log - Parents, Grandparents, Aunts/Uncles are all welcome to participate. Shhh, we want this to be a surprise for the class, so don't tell them if you have signed up.

Extra Clothes - Please begin to switch out your child's extra clothes to Cold Weather items - pants, long-sleeve shirts, socks, etc. Please make sure your child has a light jacket/sweatshirt to wear at the playground - our playground is shaded and can be a bit cooler during Morning Recess.

Parent Teacher Conferences - Fall Evaluations/Conferences will be scheduled for Monday, November 6th - Friday, November 17th. Conferences will be scheduled in the afternoon hours from 1:30-3pm in 15-minute increments. Grasshopper conferences will be scheduled in 30-minute increments. If you are not able to make it into school at this time, we strongly encourage you to sign-up for a Call-In conference. No Infant Room Conferences.

Facebook Group - Parents who are on Facebook are invited to join the "YCP Parents" page as a way to connect with and get to know the YCP Parent community. The group is hoping to grow the online community into a space to share ideas and resources for new parents as well as a go-to spot for sharing Lost & Found items, viewing the calendars, etc. This page is administrated and maintained by parents (Shannon Clements--alum and Flower parent, and Alison French--alum and Grasshopper parent) and not affiliated with the school directly.

Events

October Monthly Activity Calendars and Lunch Menu are now posted online.

We will be OPEN Monday, October 9th for Columbus Day.

Fall Parent-Teacher Conferences will be scheduled for Monday, November 6th - Friday, November 17th.