PARENT
H A N D B O O K
B a c k
This is the Parent Handbook for our daycare, designed to provide you with essential information about our policies, procedures, and the various programs we offer.
Welcome (Mission and Values)
Our Community:
We are a joyful community of inspired teachers, children, and families.
Our school offers a fun, creative, and cozy home-like space in the Ravenswood neighborhood on the north side of Indianapolis (75th and Keystone).
Learning Environment:
Secure Attachments: We believe children learn best when there are secure attachments.
We foster healthy interactions within our daycare community, with families, and promote awareness of protecting and respecting our natural world.
Play-Based Learning: We understand that children learn and thrive through playful experiences.
Our team is composed of careful observers and thoughtful facilitators who ensure each child is respected, challenged, and met exactly where they are.
Health and Nutrition:
We recognize that healthy bodies are crucial for healthy minds.
We provide fresh, varied meals and snacks to support this.
Outdoor Exploration:
We spend as much time as possible outdoors.
Our beautiful play yard offers many opportunities for exploration.
We also take walks and visit the neighborhood park/playground.
Indoor Learning Spaces:
Our indoor classrooms provide comfortable, visually pleasing spaces for:
Creating art
Building
Reading books and hearing stories
Dancing and gathering
Having personal space
Preparing meals and cuddling
Experimenting, asking questions, and problem-solving
Resolving conflicts and pretend play
All these activities embody the beauty and wonder of childhood!
Operating Information
Monday - Friday
7:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Spring State Conference for Professional Development (a Thursday and Friday in March or April)
Memorial Day
Summer Break (one week in June)
Labor Day
Thanksgiving (Thursday and Friday)
Christmas Week - New Year's Day
7375 Evanston Ave
Indianapolis, Indiana 46240
502-792-2033
Philosophy
Inspiration is taken from Reggio, Waldorf, Montessori, as well as our own playful childhood memories.
as well as some traditional toys and materials for children to freely engage with to foster their own interest and develop their individual skills.
We spend a lot of time outdoors, engaging with nature and open spaces.
Communications and visits from families are always welcomed.
and thoughtful caregiver engagements, children's minds and bodies develop and grow in outstanding ways.
Enrollment and Tuition
Tours are offered, prior to enrollment, for observation and staff introduction.
Once enrolled, payment is due weekly, or bi-weekly, prior to care.
Payment is required regardless of attendance, including holidays and vacations.
Various payment forms are accepted, for your convenience.
There is a yearly supply fee, due in April.
Withdraw from the program will require a 30-day notice.
Immediate withdrawal will be implemented in the case of severe misconduct including, but not limited to non-payment, failure to comply with daycare policies, inability to meet the child's needs, providing false information, excessive aggression, or disruptive behavior.
A 10% discount is applied to weekly tuition for siblings.
Enrolled families' siblings are prioritized.
Arrival and Pick up
Drop off is no earlier than 7:30.
All outside toys and belongings should be left at home.
Pick up is no later than 5:30.
Only authorized people will be allowed to pick up.
There are no late fees. Repeated late pick-ups will be grounds for termination from the program.
Absences should be reported the day of absence.
There is no specific drop-off time, but notice of unusual drop-off should be communicated to staff.
Driveway and temporary street parking are available.
Daily Schedule
Our schedule is dictated by the individual children in the program at any given time. A typical day will include the following:
Arrival
Breakfast
Free-Play
Morning Activities (art, science, letters, numbers, shapes, fine motor skills, etc)
Morning Large Group Gathering Time
Morning Snack
Art Room Session
Outdoor Time
Diapering and Potty as Needed
Clean Up
Lunchtime
Rest/Nap Time
Afternoon Snack
Stories and Books
Discipline Policy
Through emotional coaching, we guide children through appropriate behaviors.
Our hard and fast rules are that children may not harm others, themselves, or property.
Most issues are developmentally appropriate and can be worked through by our caring and qualified staff.
In the event that a child becomes excessively disruptive or violent, every attempt will be made to work with the family before determining that the program is not a good fit.
We will never use isolation or physical punishment.
Communication
We primarily communicate with families via text message.
We will send any pertinent information, needed supplies, minor injuries, and the occasional adorable anecdote.
Meetings can be scheduled for more in-depth issues that need to be discussed.
We have a private Facebook group within the main page where we share weekly photos and community information for clients, families, and former clients.
Health and Safety
All licensing regulations are followed to help ensure the health and safety of the children in our care.
In the event of a contagious illness, all families will be notified immediately.
In the event of a fever, rash, diarrhea, or vomiting, children are required to stay home until symptoms are gone for 24 hours with no medication.
Any minor injuries will be reported and documented to parents via text message.
Emergency medical incidents will be handled as authorized in our parent contract agreement.
Authorized and labeled medications can be given during daycare hours.
Most common allergies can be safely accommodated.
Holidays and celebrations
We enjoy some simple seasonal and holiday celebrations throughout the year.
We also invite and welcome families to share their cultural and family celebrations, if desired.
Families are welcome to bring treats for birthdays.
Every day is a party at The Growing Tree!
We celebrate each Friday with pizza for lunch and an afternoon "tea" party.
Supplies
Children will need to maintain a few extra changes of clothing, properly fitting and weather-appropriate shoes and outerwear.
Bottles and formula or breast milk must be labeled.
Children will get messy! We offer bibs and art smocks, but please send play clothes.
We make our best efforts to clean children up, but there will certainly be some residue of our hands-on learning.
The daycare will provide:
Pull-ups for those potty learning
Baby wipes
All meals and snacks
Blankets and pillows
Sippy cups
Rain gear
Diaper ointment
Sunscreen
(If you have special needs or preferences in these supplies, you are welcome to bring your own labeled supplies.)