​       General Question

• What are your hours of operation? We're open Monday through Friday, 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM – ready for a day of fun and learning!

• What ages of children do you accept? We welcome little ones from birth to 3.5 years old. Unfortunately, we can't accommodate children older than 3.5.

• What is your staff-to-child ratio?  We use a point system (as required by Virginia regulations) to ensure the perfect balance of attention and care. Each staff member has 16 points, and kids are assigned points based on age:

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• Birth–15 months (4 points)

• 16–23 months (3 points)

• 2–4 years (2 points)                                                                                                                       

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       This way, we always have the right number of loving caregivers for every stage!

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• Where are you located? We have two convenient locations in Alexandria, VA, serving the Northern Virginia area! Barnum & Mayapple .

• Do you offer part-time or full-time care options? We offer full-time care only – maximizing the fun and learning!

• What is your tuition rate and payment schedule? Ready to find out more about our affordable rates? Click here for a personalized quote: [link to price quote form]. Tuition is due on the 1st of each month.

• How do I enroll my child? A: First things first: Let's meet! Schedule a tour at your preferred location so we can get to know each other and see if Little Tots is the perfect fit for your family. After our visit, we'll use Brightwheel to make the enrollment process smooth and easy. www.lthdaycare.com/book-online

• What are your holiday closures?  We're closed on all federal holidays and a few extra days sprinkled throughout the year (check out our policy booklet and yearly calendar for the full list!). Think of it as bonus family time! This includes:

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• Winter Break (Christmas Eve through New Year’s Day)

• Martin Luther King Day

• President’s Day

• Memorial Day

• Juneteenth

• Independence Day

• Labor Day

• Columbus Day

• Veteran’s Day

• Thanksgiving (Thurs & Fri)

• Election Day

•  Easter                                                                                                                                                      

       

• What security measures do you have in place?  Your child's safety is our absolute #1 priority! We have 24/7 security cameras, and our doors are always locked. Only authorized personnel, parents, and family members with permission are allowed in the daycare. No walk-ins allowed – we keep our space secure! We also have a Virginia-approved emergency plan in place, just in case.

 

        Curriculum & Activities:

• What is your program philosophy?  We're all about hands-on fun! Our nature, art, and play-based program encourages kids to explore, create, and discover the world around them. We follow a pre-preschool curriculum powered by Brightwheel, focusing on active learning, sensory play, music and movement, reading, water play, nature walks, and so much more!

• What kinds of activities do the children participate in?  Get ready for a whirlwind of excitement! We're talking outdoor gardening (from planting tiny seeds to harvesting yummy veggies!), bubble and foam parties (messy fun!), baking (little chefs in the making!), art projects galore (from painting and drawing to sculpting and collage!), music and movement (dancing, singing, and playing instruments!), story time (imagination station!), water play (splish, splash, fun!), nature walks (exploring the wonders of the outdoors!), sensory bins (filled with textures and surprises!), and so much more! We're all about less desk time and more "wild child" time!

• What curriculum do you use?  We use Brightwheel's experience learning curriculum – it's all about hands-on learning and fun!

 

       Health & Safety:

• What is your Illness Policy? Sniffles and sneezes mean it's time for cozy cuddles at home. If your child is feeling under the weather, we'll give you a call so you can pick them up and they can get the rest they need. Check out our policy booklet for all the details.

• What are our hygiene practices? We use thorough cleaning methods to keep germs at bay, and we teach the little ones the importance of handwashing and good hygiene habits.

• Are your staff CPR and First Aid certified? Absolutely! Our entire team is trained in CPR and First Aid, so you can rest assured your child is in safe hands.

• How do you handle food allergies? We take food allergies very seriously at Little Tots! Here's how we keep our little ones safe:

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1. Full Disclosure: All allergies must be clearly stated on your child's enrollment form (both the paper copy and in the Brightwheel app). Please be as specific as possible about the allergy and its severity.

2. Allergy-Aware Environment: Depending on the severity of the allergy, we may remove the allergen completely from the daycare. This helps minimize the risk of accidental exposure.

3. Medical/Parent Statement: A medical professional or parent/guardian can provide a signed statement specifying which foods to omit and what substitutions can be made. This helps us tailor our meal planning to your child's needs.

4. Reasonable Accommodations: We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for children with disabilities, unless it would cause undue hardship on our program.

5. Parent Responsibility: Parents/guardians are responsible for providing alternative food items, including milk alternatives, if their child has dietary restrictions or allergies. We encourage open communication to ensure your child's needs are met safely and effectively.

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       We'll work closely with you to create an individualized plan for your child's specific needs.         Open communication is key, so please don't hesitate to reach out with any questions or             concerns.

• EpiPen Requirements: If your child requires an epinephrine auto-injector (like an EpiPen), please provide the following:

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1. A doctor's note is required for any child who needs an EpiPen at daycare. This note should state the child's allergy, the required dosage of epinephrine, and any other relevant medical information.

2. The EpiPen must be clearly labeled with your child's name and kept in its original packaging.

3. he EpiPen should be stored in a secure bag (like a small first aid kit) that is kept in your child's everyday bag, which travels with them from daycare to home and back each day. This ensures that the EpiPen is always easily accessible in case of an emergency.

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• What is your emergency plan? We have a comprehensive emergency plan that's approved by the Virginia Department of Social Services. It covers everything from fire drills to lockdowns, and we practice it regularly to ensure we're always prepared.

• What weather policy do you follow? We follow Fairfax County Public Schools' lead when it comes to weather closures. If they close, we close!

 

       Food & Nutrition:

• Do you provide meals and snacks? A: Yes! We're proud partners with the USDA food program, which means we can offer nutritious meals and snacks (including meat!) at no extra cost to you. We prepare everything in-house, focusing on healthy, delicious, and culturally diverse foods.

 

       Parent Involvement:

• How do you communicate with parents? We love staying in touch! We use Brightwheel to send photos, videos, and daily updates on your child's activities. It's like getting a virtual hug from daycare every day!

 

       Discipline:

• What is your policy on discipline? We believe in positive discipline. We focus on redirection, consistency, and clear expectations. We teach children respect for others and their belongings. We use lots of positive reinforcement and reminders like "use your listening ears." We know that little ones sometimes have big feelings they don't know how to express, so we're there to guide them and help them learn healthy ways to communicate. Physical punishment, verbal abuse, name-calling, and withholding food are absolutely never tolerated. We believe in open communication with parents – we're a team! We'll work together to create consistency between home and daycare.