Welcome to December!

Holiday Party & Concert for the Bumble Bee, Ladybug, & Grasshopper Rooms will be on Friday, December 14th at 10:30am.  We welcome parents and family members as we celebrate the season with a sing-a-long presentation followed by a gift exchange and visit from Santa.  Holiday snacks will be served immediately after - please look for a sign-up sheet in the coming weeks. Please make sure to bring in a small wrapped present with your child's name clearly displayed by Monday, December 10th. You may discreetly hand the present to Ms. Zinat or your child's teacher - this is the present that YOUR child will receive.

Holiday Party for the Froggy, Butterfly, & Flower Rooms will be on Friday, December 14th at 3:30pm. We will celebrate with a gift exchange and a visit from Santa, followed by special snacks - please look for a sign-up sheet in the coming weeks. Please make sure to bring in a small wrapped present with your child's name clearly displayed by Monday, December 10th. You may discreetly hand the present to Ms. Zinat or your child's teacher - this is the present that YOUR child will receive. We ask that parents do not attend this event.

Gifts - Teachers do not expect gifts, but if you are so inclined, individual gifts of cash or gift certificates would be most appreciated.  Management would be happy to offer suggestions.

Winter Break - We will be closed beginning Monday, December 24th through Tuesday, January 1st. School will open on Wednesday, January 2nd. Full tuition applies during the annual Holiday Break. We stay open for a number of Federal Holidays throughout the year so that we may close for an equal amount of days over the break between Christmas and New Year’s. Please refer to the Holiday Calendar attached here.

Holiday Celebrations - Your Child’s Place observes many seasonal celebrations throughout the year.  These holidays are not specific to any religion and only the cultural aspects are emphasized. Activities and lessons are kept secular in nature, focusing on secular characters and objects commonly associated with the holiday and avoiding all religious references.

We welcome parents who would like to share their family traditions with activities, songs, or foods. Please consult with your child's teacher if you are interested in coming to the Center to do so. Your Child’s Place respects and honors each individual’s preference in respect to religion.

Froggy Room - After eight wonderful years at Your Child's Place, Ms. Maryam of the Froggy Room will no longer be with us. Her last day is today, Friday, November 30th. We are very sorry to see her go and will miss all the singing, laughter, and beautiful artwork she brought to the classroom. We wish her all the best! Ms. Gloria will temporarily fill her place in the classroom. Thank you to all the parents for their patience during this time of transition.

Events

December Monthly Activity Calendars will be posted this weekend.

December Lunch Menu is now posted online.

Big Kids Holiday Party & Play will be on Friday, December 14th at 10:30am and Little Kids Holiday Party will be the same day at 3:30pm.

Winter Break - We will be closed Monday, December 24th - Tuesday, January 1st and will re-open on Wednesday, January 2nd.

Welcome to November!

Fall Evaluations/Conferences are currently going on. If you have not scheduled one already, please see the schedule below. 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.)

Froggy, Butterfly, Flower, Bumble Bee, Ladybug Classrooms:

• 1:15 - 2:45pm (15-Minute slots) from October 29th - November 9th

Grasshopper Classroom:

• 1:15 - 2:45pm (30-Minute slots) from November 5th - November 16th

Halloween Photos - This week's photos will be online by tomorrow, Friday November 2nd.

Teddy Bear Pictures - We are switching to an Annual Portrait and will not have a Fall session this year. We will schedule school pictures for the Spring and give everyone advance notice.

Warm and 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 warm jacket to wear at the playground - our playground is shaded and can be a bit cooler during Morning Recess and with the upcoming Day Light Savings, we anticipate Afternoon Recess to be much chillier.

Events

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

Show & Tell is listed in the Calendar portion of the website - click on the individual day to see what items your child needs to bring in.

We will be OPEN Monday, November 12th for (Observed) Veteran's Day.

Fall Parent-Teacher Conferences are scheduled for October 29th - November 2nd (November 9th for Grasshoppers.)

We will be CLOSED on Thursday, November 22nd & Friday, November 23rd for Thanksgiving.

Welcome to October!

Back to School Night - Thank you to all families who participated! If you were not able to attend, please ask your child’s teacher to make sure you receive a Classroom Information packet. Make sure to return the Questionnaire, Updated Contact and Medical Authorization forms by this week. Once we have all of the Updated Contact sheets, we will be able to send out Parent Contact Lists to everyone. Any additional questions can be addressed at the Parent Teacher Conferences scheduled at the end of this month.

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 22nd.

• Halloween Party (kids-only) will be on Wednesday, 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 Wednesday, October 31st.

Federal Holiday Policy - YCP will remain open on a select number of Federal Holidays (like the upcoming Columbus Day Holiday) 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.

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.

Fall Evaluations/Conferences are scheduled for Monday, October 29th - Friday, November 2nd. See schedule below. 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. We will not have any conferences on Halloween. (No Infant Room Conferences.)

Froggy, Butterfly, Flower, Bumble Bee, Ladybug Classrooms:

• 1:15 - 2:45pm (15-Minute slots) from October 29th - November 2nd

Grasshopper Classroom:

• 1:15 - 2:45pm (30-Minute slots) from October 29th - November 2nd

Events

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

We will be OPEN Monday, October 8th for Columbus Day.

Fall Parent-Teacher Conferences will be scheduled for Monday, October 29th - Friday, November 2nd.

Welcome to September!

Welcome back to Your Child's Place! - we hope everyone had a wonderful summer and we are looking forward to welcoming your children to their new classrooms and getting the year started! We would like to remind seasoned parents and inform new parents about some basic back to school items.

Updated Forms  - Please look for "Updated Contact Information" and "Authorization for Emergency Care" sheets to be placed inside your child's Tote bags next week. Fill out and return by Monday, September 10th. Please indicate on your Updated Contact sheet if you would prefer to NOT be included in the distributed Parent Contact List.

New Tuition rates go into effect the first week of September. You can find those here.

Supplies - All classrooms need the following items by the end of the first week:

• Box of Wipes
• Box of Tissues
• Blanket for Nap
• Extra set of Clothes (2-3 sets for Infant/Dragonfly/Froggy/Flower/Bumble Bee & 1 set for Ladybug/Grasshopper)
• Printed Family Picture
• Infant Room - please check the complete list of Needed Items

Show & Tell - Beginning Tuesday, September 11th, some classrooms will have “Show and Tell,” where we ask your child to bring in an object relating to the Week’s Theme.  Show and Tell items are listed in the Calendar and in the Monthly Activities. Show and Tell is an opportunity for your child to become comfortable with their Verbal and Sharing skills.  Children are also encouraged to listen and take turns during their friends’ presentations.

Please talk to your child about the object they would like to bring in and why - helping them construct a narrative the evening before will give them added confidence during their informal "presentation."

Consider the following criteria, when selecting an object:

• No Action Figures
• No Weapons of any kind (Guns, Swords, etc.)
• No objects that require batteries
• Must be able to fit into their bag or backpack
•  Be an object that your child does not mind others touching
• Items will only be shared at the designated time and will remain in your child’s cubby for the remainder of the day
• Please label all items with your child's name.

Communication - The beginning of the year is quite hectic and we want to make sure that all questions, concerns, and comments are heard. General Information will be provided for each child on their "Daily Info Log" placed in your child's bag to go home. We ask that you do not ask teachers detailed and lengthy questions during pick-up and drop-off as these are very busy times and teachers will not be able to give you their undivided attention. If you are looking for specific information, please schedule a meeting with your child's teacher. We also have Communication Log Books placed in each house, where parents can write down basic instructions and information (if and when your child will be picked up early, details on birthday celebrations, Doctor's appointments, etc.) For immediate concerns, please discuss with Ms. Pashi. She is available to speak at length and in-person from the hours of 9:30 - 12:30 and 2:30- 4:30pm. Or if you would prefer, you may email her at any time with any concerns to pashi@yourchildsplaceva.com. All of this will be covered in the Back to School nights (see below.)

Monthly Newsletters are published here on our YCP Blog, with lots of great information that can be found in the archives. Immediate alerts will be communicated via Twitter @YourChildsPlace while general alerts will be emailed to your inbox.

Events

September Lunch Menu is posted online, please look for Monthly Calendars to be up by Labor Day.

We will be closed Monday, September 3rd for Labor Day.

Academic Year begins on Tuesday, September 4th - new tuition rates apply at that time.

Back to School Night for Bumble Bee, Ladybug, and Grasshopper Rooms is scheduled for Wednesday, September 26th from 6-7pm.  Childcare will be offered at $15, to include dinner. Infants may attend, but must remain in your care.

Back to School Night for Caterpillar, Froggy, Butterfly, and Flower Rooms is scheduled for Thursday, September 27th from 6-7pm.  Childcare for preschoolers/toddlers will be offered at $15, to include dinner.  Infants may attend, but must remain in your care.

Please RSVP to info@yourchildsplaceva.com by Friday, September 14th.

Welcome to August!

Teachers ask that you bring in a plain white t-shirt for your child by Monday, August 6th. Children and teachers will tie-dye and decorate shirts for a special "Summer YCP 2018" project.

Fall Classroom Assignments - Emails to current students will be sent on Friday, August 17th with your child's Fall Classroom Assignment and Welcome Letter. 2018/2019 School Calendar and new Tuition Rates will be sent at that time (new Tuition and Lunch Rates will go into effect on Tuesday, September 4th.)

Classroom Name Changes

• Infant Room will now be known as the "Caterpillar Room"
• Younger Flower Room with Ms. Anyolina will now be known as the "Butterfly Room"

Events

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

In-House Field Trips, where we bring in performers and activities on Thursday or Friday of every week. We welcome parents to come and participate and experience with their children. Please let us know the day before if you plan on attending. Shows during August:

Friday, August 3rd - Groovy Nate Musical Performance

Friday, August 10th - Blue Sky Puppets presents "Three Not So Little Pigs)

Wednesday August 15th - Reptiles Alive show

Friday, August 24th - End of the Summer Ice Cream Social

We will be closed Monday, September 3rd for Labor Day.

Back to School Night will be scheduled for:

• Wednesday, September 26th for Bumble Bee, Ladybug, and Grasshopper Rooms
• Thursday, September 27th for Caterpillar, Froggy, Butterfly, and Flower Rooms

Welcome to July!

Summer Weather - Any Code Orange/Red days, playground time will be reduced to once only during the morning from 9:30am - 10:30am.

Ointments - just a reminder that we cannot accept any types of Aersosol Sprays for either Sunscreen or Mosquito Repellents. Teachers will only apply Pump Sprays and Lotions when needed. If you have already brought in an Aerosol Ointment, teachers will begin returning those.

Friday Picnics - Every Friday the Big Kids (Bumble Bee, Ladybug, and Grasshopper) will have bagged lunches at the Playground (still catered through Fairfax Food Service.) The Little Kids (Flower & Froggy) will eat their AM snacks on the playground.

Extra Clothes - Please check your child's cubby to make sure they have appropriate seasonal wear. If your child is recentely potty-trained, please make sure there are at least 2 extra pairs of underwear. Grasshoppers need only 1 extra pair of underwear.

Events

"Crazy Clothes Day" this Friday, July 6th - please have your child dress up in backwards/crazy clothes.

We will be closed Wednesday, July 4th for Independence Day.

July Lunch Menu  is now available and Monthly Activity Calendars will be posted by the end of the day online.

In-House Field Trips, where we bring in performers and activities on Thursday or Friday of every week. We welcome parents to come and participate and experience with their children. Please let us know the day before if you plan on attending. Shows during July:

Friday, July 13th - Little Einstein's presents "Cloud Factory"

Friday, July 20th - Bounce House Obstacle Course

Friday, July 27th - Blue Sky Puppets presents "Bananas"

Summer Program

The Summer Program will begin on Monday, June 25th for the following classrooms:

• Froggy
• Flower
• Bumble Bee
• Ladybug
• Grasshopper

Activities will be structured around summer themes and will focus on children playing and have fun. Some academic lessons will continue so that children do not backtrack before entering their new classrooms in the Fall. We will not post Weekly Activities, but our Thematic Activity Calendars will still be available every month. A few details about the program:

• An Activity Fee of $35 for a single child, $60 for siblings is due by Monday, June 26th and goes towards supplies, special events, and performances - This fee does not apply to the Infant Room or the Graduating & Returning Grasshoppers who have already registered.
• Our "In-House Field Trips" are scheduled on most Fridays. Parents are welcome to attend these events, please look for these in the Monthly Calendars and let us know if you would like to come.
• There will be no Show & Tell for the Summer.
• "Splash Day" will occur twice a week where children will have Water Activities - See Below.
• Please refer to the Outdoor Play Policy for questions on appropriate clothing and Playground Time during Inclement Weather (including Code days.)
• Please refer to the Updated Ointment Policy for Outdoor Play. Make sure your child has Mosquito Repellent and Sunscreen for the summer. All ointments must have a current permission form on file, please submit if you have not done so already.

Reminder: teachers expect children to come to school wearing sunscreen and will only apply sunscreen in the afternoon on an As Needed basis.  Mosquito Repellent will only be applied in the Morning or Afternoon on an As needed Basis (unless otherwise discussed with Ms. Pashi.)

Splash Day - twice a week

Little Kids (Froggy & Flower) will have Splash Day every Tuesday & Thursday.

Big Kids (Bumble Bees, Ladybugs, Grasshoppers) will have Splash Day every Monday & Wednesday.

Please remember to have your children:

• Come to school already wearing their Bathing Suit with water shoes (crocs/water socks etc.)
• Bring a separate waterproof bag (like a plastic shopping bag) packed with the following:
• Change of clothes to include underwear.
• Close-toed shoes to include socks.
• A medium-sized bath towel
• A Swim Diaper - Please have your child arrive in a regular diaper/pull-up and we will change them into their Swim Diaper before the activity.
• Label all clothes and swim items, including towel.
• Remember to remove wet swim items and allow them to fully dry before your child's next Splash Day.

Your child will NOT be able to participate in Splash Day if they do not have a bathing suit and towel.

Your child will NOT be able to play at the playground without proper close-toed footwear (no flip flops, crocs, sandals. etc.)

Welcome to June!

News

Preschool Graduation is set for Friday, June 15th for Graduates and Families only. The program will begin at 10:30 am sharp and end promptly at 11:30 am (please arrive no earlier than 10:15 am.) Light refreshments will be served and we welcome siblings, grandparents, and all other extended family - RSVP with total number of guests by Friday, June 8th. Please limit the amount of cars to no more than two (2) per family.

Extra Clothes - Now is a good time to switch out extra clothes in your child's cubby to warm weather attire. Infants need 4-5 extra sets of clothes, Toddlers need 2-3 sets of clothes, Older kids need 1-2 sets of clothes. Please check your child's cubby at the end of every week to make sure that they have enough extra clothing.

Summer Program - The YCP Academic Year will end on June 15th and the Summer Program will begin on Monday, June 25th.  Activities will be structured around summer themes and will focus on children playing and have fun. Some academic lessons will continue so that children do not backtrack before entering their new classrooms in the Fall. We will not post Weekly Activities, but our Thematic Activity Calendars will still be available every month. A few details about the program:

• An Activity Fee of $35 for a single child, $60 for siblings is due by Monday, June 18th and goes towards supplies, special events, and performances - This fee does not apply to Infant Room or Graduating Grasshoppers (who have already registered.)
• Our "In-House Field Trips" are scheduled on most Fridays. Parents are welcome to attend these events, please look for these in the Monthly Calendars and let us know if you would like to come.
• There will be no Show & Tell for the Summer.
• "Splash Day" will occur one day a week where children will have Water Activities. Please see below for details.
• Please refer to the Outdoor Play Policy for questions on appropriate clothing and Playground Time during Inclement Weather (including Code days.)
• Please refer to the Updated Ointment Policy for Outdoor Play. Make sure your child has Mosquito Repellent and Sunscreen for the summer. All ointments must have a current permission form on file - new forms will placed in your child's cubby during the week of June 4th. Reminder: teachers expect children to come to school wearing sunscreen and will only apply sunscreen in the afternoon on an As Needed basis.  Mosquito Repellent will only be applied in the Morning or Afternoon on an As needed Basis (unless otherwise discussed with Ms. Pashi.)

Events

Show & Tell - There will be no Show & Tell for the month of June through the end of August.

June Activity Calendars and Lunch Menu are now posted online.

Welcome to May

Teacher Appreciation Week (May 7th - 12th) Please help us celebrate our teachers and all of the hard work and care that they put into your child’s day.  We know that they do their best to make your child’s time fun and stimulating, and we want to give you and your child a chance to acknowledge that.  Feel free to participate as little or as much as you want – below are some suggestions for possible gift ideas.

• Monday’s theme is Flowers (bulbs, cut flowers, seeds, flower art, etc.)
• Tuesday’s theme is Relaxation (candles, body spray, face masks, soap, massages, etc.)
• Wednesday’s theme is Sweets and Treats (you could bake a treat or bring in a favorite snack for your child’s teacher to enjoy)
• Thursday’s theme is Cards and Photos (you could have your child draw a picture, write a note, or include a photo thanking their teacher.)
• Friday’s theme is a Special Luncheon - Please let us know if you are interested in helping to coordinate.

Please note that we do not expect you and your child to participate each day. We offer multiple days so that each family can have a variety of options to choose from. (Participation is not required.)

Parent Teacher Conferences - Thank you to all the parents who participated. If you missed coming in, please let us know if you are still interested in scheduling either a sit-down or phone-in conference.

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, April 25th. The Inspector spent a total of 4.5 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 no major violations 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.

Potomac Vegetable Farm CSA - Unfortunately we were not able to attract enough families to participate for this year. If you did sign-up for the share with YCP delivery, please contact the farm for a refund.

Events

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

Teddy Bear Portraits are scheduled for Spring and Graduate portraits on May 21st (Infant, Dragonfly, Froggy, and Flower rooms and Siblings) and May 22nd (Bumble Bee, Ladybug, Grasshopper.) Family portraits may be scheduled with advance notice. Viewings of the completed portraits will be the same day from 4-6pm in the Little Kids house.

We will be closed on Monday, May 28th for Memorial Day.

Welcome to April!

Re-Registration forms are due TODAY, Monday, April 2nd - If you would like to continue at YCP for the upcoming Academic year, please indicate on the form. Those who will be leaving us, must include an approximate 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. Forms must be turned in to the Front Desk. Payment may be made via check or online - all forms must be accompanied by the associated fee. Re-Registration does not apply to Grasshoppers and those who have enrolled in the past 3 months.

Parent Teacher Conferences - Spring Evaluations/Conferences will be scheduled for Monday, April 16th - Friday, April 27th. 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.

Potomac Vegetable Farm CSA - For those who expressed interest, please go to the farm's website here to set up your Share. For delivery location, click on Your Child's Place. We must meet a minimum of 10 families to qualify as a drop-off site, - as of right now, we do not have enough families,  so if you are interested, please sign up to help us secure onsite delivery.

Events

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

Show & Tell is listed in the Calendar portion of the website - click on the individual day to see what items your child needs to bring in.

Welcome to March!

Re-Registration - You will find Re-Registration forms in your child's Tote Bag by Monday, March 12th.  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 2nd 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 12th.

Immunization Audit - Our Health Department is scheduled to come and check our Immunization Records the week of March 12th. 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 by March 12th. We appreciate everyone's cooperation!

CSA Opportunity - We have the opportunity to set up YCP as a CSA drop-off site again this year. We are excited to be partnering again with Potomac Vegetable Farm. Please check out their farm, mission, and CSA here. The farm anticipates all of their shares will be gone by the end of April, so the sooner you can commit, the better. We must meet a minimum of 10 families to qualify as a drop-off site, though we hope to have more families than that sign up. If you are unsure how a CSA would work for your family, please feel free to contact us and we will put you in touch with some willing participants from last year's CSA. If you sign up by March 15th, you will receive a 5% Early Bird Discount.

What is a CSA?

Community Supported Agriculture (or CSA) is a produce subscription program where eaters pay in advance and get a share of the produce grown on the farm throughout the season. Put another way, a CSA is a relationship between eaters, farmers and the land in which everyone shares the risks and rewards of farming. By directly supporting a local farm, your family will get lots of delicious, nutritious, and local vegetables in return.

Events

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

Welcome to February!

Valentine's Day Party - Children will exchange cards and enjoy special holiday treats on Wednesday, February 14th at 3:30pm (Both Houses.) Please look for sign-up sheets if you would like to bring in food items for the parties. All Valentine's cards must be given to teachers no later than the Monday, February 12th. Please do not include any candy or chocolate with your cards. We will email class lists by the end of this week. Children in the Infant Room will not be participating in the party.

Immunization Audit - We will be undergoing an Immunization Audit this month administered by the Health Department. 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.

Your Child's Place has a pro-vaccine Policy in place that requires all registered children to follow the Minimum Immunization Requirements that Fairfax County has put into place. These guidelines come directly from the American Academy of Pediatrics and Centers for Disease Control. If your child's Immunization Records are not kept up to date, we may ask that you keep your child at home until all records are submitted - our Licensing requires that we stay on top of your child's Vaccination Records at all times.

Updated Medication Policy - Please note our updated Medication Policy. We have revised to make the procedures and requirements easier to understand in an effort to minimize confusion.

One form must be completed for each medication. Multiple Medications cannot be listed on a consent form.

Prescribed Drugs shall be given to a child only in accordance with a signed Dr.’s order/authentic prescription, with the parent/legal guardian’s written consent

Please make sure all given medication is age-appropriate for your child (Specifically Infant/Under 2 vs. Child/Over 2.)

Forms are good for 2 weeks only, and doses after that period will require a new Consent Form.

Any Medication that does not have a current Consent Form will be discarded. Any Medications after the 2-week period will be discarded unless parents request a return.

When bringing in Medications:

• Please hand directly to a Teacher or Director. Please do not leave any medication in your child’s bag or cubby or on the Front Desk.
• All Medication must be given in original packaging, to include package insert or pharmacy printout.
• All Medication and Packaging must be clearly labeled with your child’s name.
• Over the Counter Medications used on an as needed basis (for general pain/teething/fevers associated with shots/etc.) must list specific times and be renewed every 2 weeks.
  • If your child is under the age of 2, these types of Medications can only be given with a Doctor’s Consent Form + parental consent form.
  • Children over the age of 2 can be given these types of Medications with just a parental consent form.

For severe Allergy Medications:

• Epipens and Benadryl may be stored for up to 1 year with a signed Dr.’s order/authentic prescription + parent/legal guardian’s written consent. These medications must be stored in original packaging.

Playground Gate - Please make sure that you close the gate behind you everytime you enter and exit the Playground.

Water Cooler - We would appreciate if parents could assist their children when using the Water Cooler and encourage them to use only one cup and try to limit water spills.

Events

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

We will be OPEN Monday, February 19th (President's Day.)

Wear your PJs Day on Friday, February 2nd for Grasshopper, Ladybug, and Bumble Bee.

Welcome to January!

Teacher Communication - In addition to the Communication Logs that are placed in each building, we will begin using a general email for teacher messages. If you forgot to pass on a message, you may now email your child's teacher at teachers@yourchildsplaceva.com, include their name in the subject line. If you have an urgent message, we would still encourage you to call the main line and speak with either Ms. Zinat or Ms. Pashi who can pass the message directly. We are hoping that parents use the email to inform teachers of early pickups/late drop-offs, medical appointments, birthday requests, etc. Teachers will also be able to directly email parents with class notes and requests.

Immunization Reminder - 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.

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.

YCP Closings & Delays - 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. During severe weather, we always appreciate early pick-ups, so that staff and families may travel safely home. 

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

·       YCP Twitter Account (@yourchildsplace)

·       YCP Home Page, the live feed at the bottom of the page.

Weather-Related Closings/Delays:

YCP follows the Federal Government (OPM) for closing and late procedures based on weather. The Center will remain open during liberal leave policies. If you are uncertain about a potential delay during school hours, you may call us on the day in question for verification. 

After hours, you can also go to OPM Current Status for up to the minute alerts on the Federal Government's operating procedures.

Emails will NOT be sent for standard OPM weather closings and late procedures.

Emergency Closings during a Federal Holiday:

If there is an emergency closing on a Federal Holiday where YCP is open, all Closings/Late Procedures will be at the discretion of the Director. Decisions will always err on the side of safety for our staff and families traveling to and from school. A decision will be made by 5:30am on the day of. 

Parents WILL receive an email stating any closing/delays for these types of unexpected emergencies only.

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

Events

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

We will be OPEN Monday, January 15th (MLK Day.)

Welcome to December!

Holiday Party & Recital for the Bumble Bee/Ladybug/Grasshopper Rooms will be on Friday, December 15th at 10:30am.  We welcome parents and family members as we celebrate the season with a sing-a-long presentation followed by a gift exchange and visit from Santa.  Holiday snacks will be served immediately after - please look for a sign-up sheet in the coming weeks. Please make sure to bring in a small wrapped present with your child's name clearly displayed by Monday, December 11th. You may discreetly hand the present to Ms. Zinat or your child's teacher - this is the present that YOUR child will receive.

Holiday Party for the Froggy & Flower Rooms will be on Friday, December 15th at 3:30pm. We will celebrate with a gift exchange and a visit from Santa, followed by special snacks - please look for a sign-up sheet in the coming weeks. Please make sure to bring in a small wrapped present with your child's name clearly displayed by Monday, December 11th. You may discreetly hand the present to Ms. Zinat or your child's teacher - this is the present that YOUR child will receive. We ask that parents do not attend this event.

Gifts - Teachers do not expect gifts, but if you are so inclined, individual gifts of cash or gift certificates would be most appreciated.  Management would be happy to offer suggestions.

Winter Break - We will be closed beginning Monday, December 25th through Monday January 1st. School will open on Tuesday, January 2nd. Full tuition applies during the annual Holiday Break. We stay open for a number of Federal Holidays throughout the year so that we may close for an equal amount of days over the break between Christmas and New Year’s.  Please refer to the Holiday Calendar attached here.

Holiday Celebrations - Your Child’s Place observes many seasonal celebrations throughout the year.  These holidays are not specific to any religion and only the cultural aspects are emphasized. Activities and lessons are kept secular in nature, focusing on secular characters and objects commonly associated with the holiday and avoiding all religious references.

We welcome parents who would like to share their family traditions with activities, songs, or foods. Please consult with your child's teacher if you are interested in coming to the Center to do so. Your Child’s Place respects and honors each individual’s preference in respect to religion.

IDENT-A-KID will be at Your Child’s Place on Wednesday,  December 6th if you are interested in creating an identification card for your child. Further information on the program can be found on the flyers and on their

Infant Room - Ms. Sabina will be traveling to her home country beginning December 22nd and returning on January 22nd. Ms. Asmara will be filling in for her during that time - Ms. Asmara has previously worked fulltime and as a substitute in the Infant Room and is looking forward to being back with the little ones!

Events

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

IDENT-A-KID will be at Your Child’s Place on Wednesday,  December 6th.

Big Kids Holiday Party & Play will be on Friday, December 15th at 10:30am and Little Kids Holiday Party will be the same day at 3:30pm.

Winter Break - We will be closed Monday, December 25th - Monday January 1st and will re-open on Tuesday, January 2nd.

Welcome to November!

Teddy Bear Pictures - Portraits are scheduled for November 2nd and November 3rd at 9:30am with photo reviews the same day at 4pm. Younger Kids (Infants, Froggy, Flower) & Sibling Pairs will be on November 2nd. Big Kids) Bumble Bee, Ladybug, Grasshopper) will be on November 3rd. We can arrange for Family Portraits with advance notice.

Fall Evaluations/Conferences are scheduled for Monday, November 6th - Friday, November 17th. See schedule below. 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.)

Dragonfly, Froggy, Flower, Bumble Bee, Ladybug Classrooms:

• 1:15 - 2:45pm (15-Minute slots) from November 6th - November 17th

Grasshopper Classroom:

• 1:15 - 2:45pm (30-Minute slots) from November 6th - November 17th

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 today, on November 1st. The Inspector spent a total of 4 hours conducting a thorough inspection of facilities, records, and most importantly the staff's interaction and overall care of 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.

Warm and 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 warm jacket to wear at the playground - our playground is shaded and can be a bit cooler during Morning Recess and with the upcoming Day Light Savings, we anticipate Afternoon Recess to be much chillier.

Thanks to our M&M's and all teachers for a spooktacular success at the Halloween Party! Due to the many requests for pictures, we will no longer be sending out individual emails to each parent. Please look for information about a secure and private website to access your child's photos.

Events

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

Show & Tell is listed in the Calendar portion of the website - click on the individual day to see what items your child needs to bring in.

We will be OPEN Friday, November 10th for (Observed) Veteran's Day.

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

We will be CLOSED on Thursday, November 23rd & Friday, November 24th for Thanksgiving.

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.

Welcome to September!

Welcome back to Your Child's Place! - we hope everyone had a wonderful summer and we are looking forward to welcoming your children to their new classrooms and getting the year started! We would like to remind seasoned parents and inform new parents about some basic back to school items.

Update Forms  - Please look for "Updated Contact Information" and "Authorization for Emergency Care" sheets to be placed inside your child's Tote bags next week. Fill out and return by Monday, September 18th. Please indicate on your Updated Contact sheet if you would like to be included in the distributed Parent Contact List (only preferred email addresses will be included.)

New Tuition rates go into effect the first week of September. You can find those here.

Supplies - All classrooms need the following items by the end of the first week:

• Box of Wipes
• Box of Tissues
• Blanket for Nap
• Extra set of Clothes (2-3 sets for Infant/Dragonfly/Froggy/Flower/Bumble Bee & 1 set for Ladybug/Grasshopper)
• Printed Family Picture
• Infant Room - please check the complete list of Needed Items

Show & Tell - Every Tuesday, some classrooms will have “Show and Tell,” where we ask your child to bring in an object relating to the Week’s Theme.  Show and Tell items are listed in the Calendar and in the Monthly Activities. Show and Tell is an opportunity for your child to become comfortable with their Verbal and Sharing skills.  Children are also encouraged to listen and take turns during their friends’ presentations.

Please talk to your child about the object they would like to bring in and why - helping them construct a narrative the evening before will give them added confidence during their informal "presentation."

Consider the following criteria, when selecting an object:

• No Action Figures
• No Weapons of any kind (Guns, Swords, etc.)
• No objects that require batteries
• Must be able to fit into their bag or backpack
•  Be an object that your child does not mind others touching
• Items will only be shared at the designated time and will remain in your child’s cubby for the remainder of the day
• Please label all items with your child's name.

Communication - The beginning of the year is quite hectic and we want to make sure that all questions, concerns, and comments are heard. General Information will be provided for each child on their "Daily Info Log" placed in your child's bag to go home. We ask that you do not ask teachers detailed and lengthy questions during pick-up and drop-off as these are very busy times and teachers will not be able to give you their undivided attention. If you are looking for specific information, please schedule a meeting with your child's teacher. We also have Communication Log Books placed in each house, where parents can write down basic instructions and information (if and when your child will be picked up early, details on birthday celebrations, Doctor's appointments, etc.) For immediate concerns, please discuss with Ms. Pashi. She is available to speak at length and in-person from the hours of 9:30 - 12:30 and 2:30- 4:30pm. Or if you would prefer, you may email her at any time with any concerns to pashi@yourchildsplaceva.com. All of this will be covered in the Back to School nights (see below.)

Monthly Newsletters are published here on our YCP Blog, with lots of great information that can be found in the archives. Immediate alerts will be communicated via Twitter @YourChildsPlace while general alerts will be emailed to your inbox.

Events

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

We will be closed Monday, September 5th for Labor Day.

Academic Year begins on Tuesday, September 6th - new tuition rates apply at that time.

Back to School Night for Bumble Bee, Ladybug, and Grasshopper Rooms is scheduled for Thursday, September 21st from 6-7pm.  Childcare will be offered at $15, to include dinner. Please note that this date has been updated.

Back to School Night for Infants, Dragonfly, Froggy, and Flower Rooms is scheduled for Wednesday, September 20th from 6-7pm.  Childcare for toddlers will be offered at $15, to include dinner.  Infants may attend, but must remain in your care.

Please RSVP to info@yourchildsplaceva.com by Friday, September 15th.

Welcome to August!

Teachers ask that you bring in a plain white t-shirt for your child by Monday, August 14th. Children and teachers will tie-dye and decorate shirts for a special "Summer YCP 2017" project (Does not apply to Infant or Dragonfly Room.)

Fall Classroom Assignments - Emails to current students will be sent on Friday, August 18th with your child's Fall Classroom Assignment and Welcome Letter. 2017/2018 School Calendar and new Tuition Rates will be sent at that time ( new Tuition and Lunch Rates will go into effect on Tuesday, September 5th.)

Events

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

In-House Field Trips, where we bring in performers and activities on Thursday or Friday of every week. We welcome parents to come and participate and experience with their children. Please let us know the day before if you plan on attending. Shows during August:

Thursday, August 3rd - Squeals on Wheels presents "Fur, Feathers, and Scales + Teacup Pig"

Friday, August 11th - Groovy Nate Musical Performance

Friday, August 18th - End of Year Tie Dye & Ice Cream Party

Friday, August 25th - Little Einstein's presents "Air Zoup: Rockers & Air"

We will be closed Monday, September 4th for Labor Day.

Back to School Night will be scheduled for:

• Wednesday, September 13th for Bumble Bee, Ladybug, and Grasshopper Rooms
• Wednesday, September 20th for Infant, Dragonfly, Froggy, and Flower Rooms

Welcome to July!

Summer Program - We have posted updated Summer Schedules in each classroom, please take a look. During the Summer, we will not have Weekly Lesson Plans, just Monthly Activity Programs - posted on the website and in each classroom. Summer Activities do not include those in the Infant Room and Dragonly Room. Also, no Show & Tell during the summer months.

Splash Day - This week, children began to participate in Water Activities twice a week. Activities occur in the 2580 shaded porch around the water tables where children splash, play with boats, bubbles, "sea animals," funnels, cups, etc. Children are encouraged to get as wet as they want and that is why we ask them to come to school already wearing their bathings suits.

Friday Picnics - Every Friday the Big Kids (Bumble Bee, Ladybug, and Grasshopper) will have bagged lunches at the Playground (still catered through Fairfax Food Service.) The Little Kids (Flower & Froggy) will eat their AM snacks on the playground.

Ointments - just a reminder that we cannot accept any types of Aersosol Sprays for either Sunscreen or Mosquito Repellents. Teachers will only apply Pump Sprays and Lotions when needed. If you have already brought in an Aerosol Ointment, teachers will begin returning those.

Extra Clothes - Please check your child's cubby to make sure they have appropriate seasonal wear. If your child is recentely potty-trained, please make sure there are at least 2 extra pairs of underwear. Grasshoppers need only 1 extra pair of underwear.

Hair Care - If your child requires their hair to be brushed, we ask that you bring in a labeled comb or brush and all necessary accessories (clips, rubber bands, etc.) Teachers will keep your child's individual items separated in a ziploc bagand only use them on your child.

Events

We will be closed Tuesday, July 4th for Independence Day.

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

Summer Program

Please note changes - Dragonfly Class will not be participating in Summer Program and Splash Day Schedule has been changed, see below for updates.

The Summer Program will begin on Monday, June 26th for the following classrooms:

• Froggy
• Flower
• Bumble Bee
• Ladybug
• Grasshopper

Activities will be structured around summer themes and will focus on children playing and have fun. Some academic lessons will continue so that children do not backtrack before entering their new classrooms in the Fall. We will not post Weekly Activities, but our Thematic Activity Calendars will still be available every month. A few details about the program:

• An Activity Fee of $35 for a single child, $60 for siblings is due by Monday, June 26th and goes towards supplies, special events, and performances - This fee does not apply to Infant Room or Dragonfly who will not be participating or the Graduating & Returning Grasshoppers who have already registered.
• Our "In-House Field Trips" are scheduled on most Fridays. Parents are welcome to attend these events, please look for these in the Monthly Calendars and let us know if you would like to come.
• There will be no Show & Tell for the Summer.
• "Splash Day" will occur twice a week where children will have Water Activities - See Below.
• Please refer to the Outdoor Play Policy for questions on appropriate clothing and Playground Time during Inclement Weather (including Code days.)
• Please refer to the Updated Ointment Policy for Outdoor Play. Make sure your child has Mosquito Repellent and Sunscreen for the summer. All ointments must have a current permission form on file, please submit if you have not done so already.

Reminder: teachers expect children to come to school wearing sunscreen and will only apply sunscreen in the afternoon on an As Needed basis.  Mosquito Repellent will only be applied in the Morning or Afternoon on an As needed Basis (unless otherwise discussed with Ms. Pashi.)

Splash Day - twice a week

Little Kids (Froggy & Flower) will have Splash Day every Tuesday & Thursday.

Big Kids (Bumble Bees, Ladybugs, Grasshoppers) will have Splash Day every Monday & Wednesday.

Please remember to have your children:

• Come to school already wearing their Bathing Suit with water shoes (crocs/water socks etc.)
• Bring a separate waterproof bag (like a plastic shopping bag) packed with the following:
• Change of clothes to include underwear.
• Close-toed shoes to include socks.
• A medium-sized bath towel
• A Swim Diaper - Please have your child arrive in a regular diaper/pull-up and we will change them into their Swim Diaper before the activity.
• Label all clothes and swim items, including towel.
• Remember to remove wet swim items and allow them to fully dry before your child's next Splash Day.

Your child will NOT be able to participate in Splash Day if they do not have a bathing suit and towel.

Your child will NOT be able to play at the playground without proper close-toed footwear (no flip flops, crocs, sandals. etc.)