WillowBee
Child Care and Learning Center
WillowBee
Child Care and Learning Center
Frequently Asked Questions: General
Frequently Asked Questions: General
Q: What are your hours?
A: We are open 6:30am to 6pm
Q: What does full time and part time care look like?
A: Full time is 4-5 days per week. Part time is 3 days per week. We do not accept part time infants.
Q: Do you give sibling discounts?
A: Yes! We do 10% off the oldest child’s tuition for full-time families!
Q: Do I pay tuition if we go on vacation?
A: We offer each family (1) half tuition week per year. You can use this week at any point, just let us know ahead of time!
Q: Do the parents provide food for their child(ren)?
A: Yes! All food and drink is parent provided for their child. We have nutrition requirements on the forms page of the website.
Q: How does WillowBee communicate with parents?
A: After your child is enrolled in WillowBee, you will get an invite to join Brightwheel. Brightwheel is an app that we use through the day for all your child's activities and parent communication. On this app, you'll get real time updates about your child's meals, diapers, photos, and details about what they are learning! You can also send messages to your child's teachers and center administration.
In the event that we would need to delay or close the center, we would send messages or alerts through Brightwheel to all the parents.
Q: What do I need for enrollment?
A: When you tour, we will give you a packet with all the paperwork you need for enrollment. All our forms are also located on the forms page of the website.
Q: What security measures do you take for your buildings?
A: All our doors require a code to enter. We give codes to teachers and parents only and change the code occasionally. We also require ID checks for someone picking up a child that is not the parent.
Q: What do you do in weather-related emergencies?
A: We have an emergency plan in each classroom that details what to do in each type of emergency. In the case of a tornado, teachers will take all classes to the basement of their building and an administrator will let them know when it is safe to return to classrooms.
In the winter, we follow the Delaware County Sheriff’s website regarding the snow emergencies. Level 1- WillowBee operates as normal. Level 2- We will likely operate on a two-hour delay schedule. Level 3-The center will probably be closed for the day. Any delay or closure will be determined by administration and communicated to parents via the Brightwheel app. Feel free to reach out if you have questions about any other weather-related emergency.
Q: What are your policies regarding illnesses?
A: We want to do everything in our power to ensure the health and safety of all our children and staff. We have a detailed illness exclusion policy located in our handbook (on the forms page of the website.)
Q: Are you licensed?
A: Yes! We are licensed through the Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services, and we are inspected annually by ODJFS.
Q: Do you take Title XX families?
A: Yes, according to the State of Ohio, we are able to accept a select number of Title XX families! Call today to reserve your spot!
Q: Are parents allowed to visit unannounced throughout the day.
A: We have an open-door policy at WillowBee, so parents are welcome to visit anytime during the day. Please keep in mind thought that early childhood classrooms rely on routine through the day and a visit from parents could disrupt that routine.
Q: What are your sanitation procedures?
A: We follow a cleaning schedule set by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. This includes cleaning classrooms and bathrooms daily and cleaning and sanitizing toys with bleach water daily (or more if mouthed.) Deep cleaning occurs as needed and during quarterly in-service days.
Q: My child is on a medication; can you give them that medication through the day?
A: Yes, you will just have to fill out a medication form with instructions.
Q: Can I bring in Tylenol for my child that is teething?
A: Yes, but make sure it has your child’s age or weight and dosage instructions on the bottle, otherwise we will need a doctor's note. You will have to fill out a medication form. We will not give your child Tylenol for a fever unless you are on your way to pick them up and request us give them some to lower fever. They would still need to be home until 24 hours fever free WITHOUT the use of medication.
Frequently Asked Questions: Infant and Toddlers
Frequently Asked Questions: Infant and Toddlers
Sunshine Room
Q: What ages does your Sunshine room serve?
A: We have infants as young as 6 weeks until they are developmentally ready to move to our Jungle Room (this is typically around 16 months.)
Q: Do parents provide bottles and foods?
A: Yes! Parents will bring in enough prepared breastmilk or formula bottles for the whole day their child is here. You may bring a couple frozen bags of breastmilk or a can of formula to leave at the center in case of emergency.
Q: Can you reuse bottles through the day if I prepare one and bring breastmilk/ formula for the others.
A: No. Each bottle would have to be sanitized prior to each use and we don’t have the means to do that.
Q: Can I bring bottles of water and formula powder?
A: Yes, that is totally fine if you keep updated instructions for the teachers.
Q: How are bottles warmed?
A: We use a bottle warmer that is no hotter than 120 degrees.
Q: My child is starting baby food; can I bring food to leave at the center or do I bring it each day?
A: You can bring food to leave here and store in your child’s cubby! However, if we open a baby food and the child does not finish it, we are unable to save the remainder of that food. If your child is only eating half of a container at a time, you may want to split it up at home and bring in small reusable containers.
Q: My child is starting to eat puffs; can I bring in a container for them to eat?
A: Yes! You can keep a container of puffs in their cubby. The teacher will let you know when it is getting low!
Q: My child is starting to eat pickup foods? What should I pack them for the day?
A: It is an exciting stage when they start discovering new foods! Any soft pickup foods that you do at home are totally fine to bring to school! Please make sure the food is cut up into small bites that your child can eat. We ask that you don’t bring in any foods that they haven’t already had at home in case there is a reaction to that food.
Q: What is required for my one-year old’s lunch?
A: On the forms tab of the website there is a nutritional guide on what to pack for your child. Licensing requires us to have a protein, and 2 fruits/veggies for lunch. They must also have whole milk with their lunch. Let us know if you would like some lunch ideas, we would be happy to help!
Q: What size crib sheet do I bring?
A: Play yard size sheets fit best on our cribs. Regular crib sized sheets DO NOT fit on our cribs. Sheets that are too big pose a suffocation risk to the babies.
Q: Can I bring a blanket for my baby?
A: Infants under 12 months cannot have anything in the crib with them however, you are welcome to bring the swaddle blankets that Velcro or zip. We cannot swaddle your baby in a regular blanket. If your child is older than 12 months, you may bring a blanket for their naptime.
Q: Does the center wash their crib sheets and blankets?
A: It’s up to you! We are more than happy to wash their crib sheets and blankets while they are in the infant and toddler rooms. We use a free and clear detergent and a free and clear dryer sheet. If you do not want us to wash their blankets, that is totally fine, but you will need to take them home to be washed once per week.
Q: What does curriculum look like in the Sunshine room?
A: Curriculum in the infant room is centered around each individual child’s needs. Some things that we work on with infants throughout the day are tummy time, sitting up, walking, reading books, and a few art projects! We ensure that we are touching on all the areas of development each day through various activities.
Q: Are the older mobile babies separated from the young infants?
A: We have one large play area in the infant room. We do group play several times throughout the day. We don’t separate the small babies, but we do always have a teacher in the play area and a teacher with small infants doing floor play.
Q: What is the schedule for the Sunshine room?
A: Because all infants are different and have different needs throughout the day, we don’t have a set schedule for infants under 12 months. If you are working on a schedule at home, please communicate that to your child’s teacher so they can be consistent! When your infant is around 6-8 months, we try to get them on similar nap schedules twice per day, so they go down at the same time to prevent waking other babies. At around 12 months, we start working toward a similar schedule as the toddler room to prepare them for transition at 18 months. All of our schedules can be found in the parent handbook.
Q: How will I know about my infant’s day?
A: Everything will be on Brightwheel. When you drop off you'll check your child in and add info such as when they ate last and what time they woke up. Then throughout the day, the teachers will update Brightwheel to include bottles, diapers, naps, and activities they did throughout the day.
Q: Am I able to come in to breastfeed my child?
A: Yes! You are welcome to come nurse your infant at any time throughout the day. We have rocking chairs in both cribs room that are fairly private.
Q: Am I able to drop off diapers and stuff prior to my infant's first day?
A: Absolutely! It is encouraged that you come in prior to your child’s first day to drop off diapers, wipes, sheets, and extra clothes. During this visit, you will also have a chance to meet your child’s teachers and see the classroom.
Jungle Room
Q: When does my child transition into and out of the Jungle room?
A: Transition into the Jungle room is based on development of each child. They must be walking (well enough for playground play) and eating solid foods on their own. The transition will typically occur around 16 months. Children will transition out of the Jungle room and into the Rainbow room at 2 years old.
Q: What does naptime look like in the Jungle room?
A: Naptime is typically from 12:30-2:30 or 3pm. They all sleep on cots with background noise playing (white noise or rain sounds) Teachers sit strategically between all the kids to help get them to sleep.
Q: Can my child bring their favorite stuff animal or blanket?
A: Your child may bring their favorite blanket for naptime! They may also have a pillow to use at nap. We discourage parents from bringing stuffed animals while in the toddler room because they are at the age where sharing is still being taught and they don’t quite understand that toys belong to certain friends only.
Q: Does the center wash their naptime stuff?
A: It’s up to you! We are more than happy to wash their sheets and blankets while they are in the infant and toddler rooms. We use a free and clear detergent and a free and clear dryer sheet. If you do not want us to wash their blankets, that is totally fine, but you will need to take them home to be washed once per week.
Q: Do you potty train in the Jungle room?
A: Our facility isn’t equipped to easily start the potty-training process while in the toddler room. Please talk to your child’s teacher if your child is showing serious signs of potty training at home. We normally start introducing potty training in the Rainbow and Ocean rooms.
Q: What should I pack my toddler for the day?
A: We have specific requirements for meals on our forms page on our website, but here are some general guidelines. You may pack breakfast if your child is here early and doesn’t have time to eat at home. Our breakfast cut off time is typically 9am. For lunch, your child must have a protein source (chicken, pb&j, mac & cheese,) 2 fruits and/or veggies (fruit cup and green beans, corn and broccoli, banana and strawberries,) and a cup of white milk. Drinks must be in labeled sippy cups; we do not allow bottles in the toddler room. Examples of snacks for after naptime would be crackers and grapes, cheese stick and cookies, fruit bar and yogurt, or puff corn and fruit snacks. You may pack juice, water, or milk for snack time.
Q: What is the general schedule for the Jungle room?
A: There are detailed schedules available in the handbook, but here is the general rundown of the day: 6:30am- 9am breakfast & choice play, 9am diapers 9:30-10am circle time/ curriculum, 10am-11am gross motor or outside play, 11am diapers and clean up 11:30am-12:30pm lunch 12:30-3 naptime & diapers, 4pm choice play or outside time until pickup.
Q: Do you do curriculum?
A: Yes! Toddler curriculum is different than older child curriculum and is heavily based upon each child’s development and interests. We believe that children learn the best through play so our curriculum may look like singing songs and finger plays, process art, and shape games. All our teachers are trained on what is developmentally appropriate for their age group and use Ohio’s Early Learning Development Standards to create plans for each week. If you have any specific questions about curriculum, please reach out to us!
Q: Do they get outside playtime every day?
A: When it is weather appropriate, YES! Outside play is vital to a child’s development! We are unable to get outside play as often during the winter months, but we make up for that with gross motor games and play in the classroom! Sometimes our playground is a little muddy, so be sure that your child wears clothes and shoes that are ok to get a little dirty!
Rainbow Room
Q: When does my child transition into and out of the Rainbow Room?
A: Our Rainbow Room is 2 years old to 3 years old.
Q: What does naptime look like in the Jungle room?
A: Naptime is typically from 12:30-2:30 or 3pm. They all sleep on cots with background noise playing (white noise or rain sounds) Teachers sit strategically between all the kids to help get them to sleep.
Q: Can my child bring their favorite stuff animal or blanket?
A: Your child may bring their favorite blanket and small pillow for naptime! Your child may also bring a stuffed animal for nap, but if they start causing issues, the Rainbow room teacher may choose to no longer allow stuffed animals.
Q: Do you potty train in the Rainbow room?
A: Some children are ready to potty train sooner than others! Potty training in the Rainbow Room will be determined based on each child. If a child is showing clear signs and interest and families are serious about potty training at home as well, we will begin potty training while in the Rainbow room. Otherwise, we start serious potty training when they transition into the Ocean room.
Q: Do you do curriculum?
A: Yes! Curriculum in the Rainbow room is between toddler and preschool learning styles. Our curriculum is heavily based upon each child’s development and interests. We believe that children learn the best through play so our curriculum may look like singing songs and finger plays, process art, and shape games. We start introducing centers regularly and start separating learning time and choice play. All our teachers are trained on what is developmentally appropriate for their age group!
Q: Do they get outside playtime every day?
A: When it is weather appropriate, YES! Outside play is vital to a child’s development! We are unable to get outside play as often during the winter months, but we make up for that with gross motor games and play in the classroom! Sometimes our playground is a little muddy, so be sure that your child wears clothes and shoes that are ok to get a little dirty!
Frequently Asked Questions: Preschool & Pre-K
Frequently Asked Questions: Preschool & Pre-K
Q: When will my child transition?
A: Children transition to the Ocean classroom when they are three. They will transition into the Woodlands class when they are four, but also potty trained.
Q: When will my child start potty training?
A: All children are unique and will potty train at different times. What worked for one child, won’t work for another. Our teachers are trained to pick up on certain cues that a child is ready to start potty training, but we must be on the same page at home and school. Your child’s teacher and you may create a plan specific for what works best for your child!
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Q: What will my child’s first day look like?
A: Depending on what time you drop off; your child will start in the main classroom area of the preschool/ prek building. At around 9am, your child will then go to their classroom. Circle time and curriculum varies but will typically start between 9:30 and 10am. After curriculum, they will have choice play, gross motor play, or outside time until lunch. After lunch they will have nap/ quiet time until 3 when they do snack. After snack they will have choice play or outside time again until pickup!
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Q: What foods should I bring for my child for the day?
A: We have more detailed information on meal requirements on the forms page of the website or in your tour packet. For breakfast your child should have a grain, fruit, and milk. Examples of this include cereal and banana, pancake and strawberries, or muffins and blueberries. For lunch your child must have a protein, two servings of fruits and/ or veggies, a grain, and a cup of white milk. Examples of great lunches include chicken nuggets, green beans, and strawberries; pb&j, fruit cup, and strawberries; pasta, broccoli, and carrots. Snack should include 2 servings of the 4 food groups, for example, yogurt/strawberries, crackers/cucumbers, cheese stick/grapes. Your child should also have a water or juice cup for snack and to drink throughout the day.
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Q: What curriculum do you use in the Ocean and Woodlands classrooms?
A: We currently use Mother Goose Time Curriculum. This is a prepackaged curriculum that includes topics of interest for all the children. Examples of Mother Goose Time Curriculum that we have gotten in the past include All About Me, Global Passport, Space & Sky, and Garden Treasures. Mother Goose Time supports growth by incorporating 33 researched-based skills into fun, playful games and projects! Ask us about the current curriculum!
Q: Is there a quiet time or naptime?
A: Yes, both classes have daily quiet/nap time. It is shortly after lunch until 3pm. They will typically lay down watching a show or movie then listen to calming music.
Q: What can my child bring for naptime?
A: The preschool class uses cots, so you may bring a sheet if you would like, but don’t have to. You will bring a blanket for your child to use at nap and it can stay for the week or be taken home each night if it is a comfort item. On Fridays, we will send all the naptime stuff home to be washed and returned on Monday. You may also bring a small pillow for your child to use if you wish.
Q: Can my child bring a stuff animal?
A: Most of the time yes, they may bring a stuffed animal for naptime only. We don’t typically let them play with them during the day. If bringing stuffed animals begins to cause problems, we may ask that your child or a class no longer bring things from home.