215-660-9119

Handbook

Who We Are- What We Do- and Why We Do It:

Our Mission…

One of the most important decisions a parent will have to make is finding childcare suitable for their child. Bella Vista Child Care Academy (BVCCA) is devoted to providing parents with the kind of childcare they want and need for their little one. We believe that every child is unique and should be treated as an individual. That is why our program is not a typical pre-packaged “one-size-fits all” program. We assess each child’s needs based on age, skills personality, and maturity. Each child will work at their own pace, guided by our well-educated and highly trained staff. BVCCA will provide a stimulating childcare program for children as young as six weeks to five years old. Our program is designed around a hands-on, full structured child oriented educational philosophy which also includes many other activities such as field trips to area attractions and daily outdoor play. Along with our flexible schedules, affordable tuition and nutritious well-balanced snacks, BVCCA is quality childcare to its fullest extent.

Age Groupings

Infants (6 weeks to 12 months)Babies required lots of love and attention during this early stage of development. Our staff members offer the kind of warmth and nurturing you want for your child’s emotional needs.
Younger Toddlers and Older Toddlers (13 months to 3 years)Younger toddlers are little “explorers” of nature. For the first time, they can move about and are curious about their environment. Our staff promotes the child’s feeling of confidence by encouraging hands-on experience in a protected atmosphere.
Older toddlers are now enjoying their new- found independence in learning to do things on their own. Our staff will encourage the child’s development of independence by adding in their ventures.
Preschool / Pre- Kindergarten (3 years to 5 years / fully potty trained)Our Pre-school program utilizes your child’s increase knowledge and longer attention span to help develop his/her language and social skill. Working at his/her own pace, and guided by our professional staff, your child is exposed to a curriculum that has been developed around a variety of selected themes. Each theme is coordinated into your child’s daily activities to help reinforce the theme through ordinary play.
The Pre-K child is now ready and able to accept challenges at a much more advanced level than before. We provide Pre-K children with a reading readiness program, hands on science projects, as well as a balanced math curriculum using a variety of manipulatives.

More on Infant Care

BVCCA provides a loving and nurturing environment for the children to grow and learn. It is important to have a consistent schedule. Therefore, for the first year we follow an individual basic needs schedule for each child, which you will provide to our staff. This schedule should include any information that will help us care for your child. We will incorporate a music session, movement session, story time, structured play, activity sessions and free play into your child’s day. You will be required to bring bottles, formula, lunch, diapers, wipes, bibs, and three changes of clothing.
Each child will have an assigned crib. You will need to provide the sheets, which must be taken home once a week to be washed. Each child will be changed every two hours or whenever necessary. You will receive notification throughout the day from Brightwheel of your child’s feedings, naps, diaper changes, and other information about your child’s day including pictures of activities.

Enrollment Policy

  • At the time of your child’s enrollment, you are required to pay a registration fee of $150.00, and an enrollment deposit totaling two weeks tuition. Tuition is based according to the child’s age at the time of enrollment. Enrollment deposit is used towards your last two weeks of care with (14 days’ notice).
  • All necessary forms must be completed and returned before your child’s first day of care.
  • Emergency Contact Form: This must be filled out completely. NO area can be left incomplete. Your child’s emergency contact form will be updated every six months or immediately, by you, if any information should change before the scheduled update.
  • YOUR CHILD WILL NOT BE RELEASED TO ANYONE WHO IS NOT LISTED ON THE FORM. NO EXCEPTIONS! Until our staff becomes familiar with you, or anyone regularly picking up your child, photo ID is required.
  • Health Forms: Age appropriate health forms must be completed by your child’s pediatrician and submitted no later than thirty (30) days from the date of enrollment. These forms must be updated annually.
  • Tuition Agreement: This is a legal contract requiring your weekly tuition be paid in full and on time. This contract will be updated every six months or if any changes are made to your weekly tuition.

Open Door Policy

Parents are always welcome to drop by the center, unannounced or with notice, during the day. We understand your uneasiness and want to confirm your child/children are well taken care of at our center. So come in and see for yourself!

High Teacher-to –Child Ratio

BVCCA child to teacher ratio is at a minimum what is required by the state of PA. We strive to exceed the minimum requirements. The children are assured the individual attention they require, as it applies to the education as well as the safety.

Child Drop Off & Pick Up

We ask that you come into the building when you drop - off and return to pick-up your child. Children will only be dismissed to parents or designated pickup persons who are 18 years of age or older. In case of an emergency requiring alternative pickup person not listed on the registration forms, be sure to notify the school director or supervisor in charge. NO CHILD WILL BE RELEASED IF THE SCHOOL’S DIRECTOR HAS NOT BEEN PROPERLY NOTIFIED.
If your child is picked up after 6:00 p.m. a late fee will be given. This late fee MUST BE PAID BEFORE YOUR CHLD CAN RETURN TO SCHOOL THE NEXT DAY! The late fee of $45.00 will be charged if your child is picked up from 6:00 p.m. to 6:05 p.m. You will be charged an additional $5.00 for each minute after the 6:05 p.m. This late fee is used to pay the staff that remained with your child, as they are not paid after 6:00 p.m.

Attire & Daily Preparation

Children should wear comfortable play-clothing. No flip-flops or sandals are permitted. Sneakers or runner-soled shoes are suggested with socks. This is a necessary safety measure. All children must have a seasonal change of clothes in their cubby. All children should have a full size school bag every day, which their belongings and paper work will be kept in.

Rest Periods & Nap Time

All children enrolled in our full-time programs will rest daily. We encourage the children to rest for at least an hour and a half. They must have a sleeping bag labeled with their name. This will be taken home weekly to be washed.

Lunch & Snacks

Any child who does not participate in our food program must bring a lunch to school daily. BVCCA will only provide AM & PM snack. NO food will be stored for you. Only send what your child will be eating that day. All children MUST have a lunch box labeled with their name.

Outside Activity

We do not have an outside play area. We have a designated large muscle area that the children will get to use daily. On occasion we may walk the older children to the park. You will be notified ahead of time. If a child does not have the proper footwear, they will not be permitted to take part in our outings.

Toilet Training

Proper use of the potty is an exciting but sometimes stressful milestone in your child’s life. At BVCCA, we use several techniques to assist with achieving this goal as easily as possible. Your child’s teacher will work with you to develop an individual plan of action.

Discipline Policy

Our staff is trained to deal with the children in a positive manner. We encourage the staff to acknowledge the good behavior of a child before focusing on the negative actions. We encourage communication with the parents/guardians daily in regard to their child’s behavior. If a parent feels that an issue has risen that cannot be straightened out between the teacher and yourself, please see the school director or supervisor so that we can address the issue. With this said, we urge parents to be mindful that our center is a group setting and the teachers will be dealing with each situation as best possible. Parents are an important link in making our school successful, and we would appreciate your support and cooperation.

Sick Policy

  • The health and well-being of all the children is very important to us. It is for the protection of the children that we must insist on a strict adherence to our health policy. Please read it carefully. If you have any questions or doubts, regarding the statements it contains please discuss them with the center director. Do not wait until your child is sick to think about what would be best for all concerned. At that point you may be making the decision based on emotion instead of logic. Even with all our precautions, children do get sick and or hurt. Due to our concern for all the children enrolled in our center there are certain guidelines that we require all of our parents to observe. In some cases, if your child needs to be seen by a doctor, you will be required to submit a signed report from your doctor before your child can return to school. This is to ensure that a child does not return to school when he or she may be in danger of exposing someone else to an illness. Some contagious illnesses are no longer contagious after the child has been on medication for 24 hours. There are also some illnesses that by law exclude the child from attending childcare. Some of those illnesses are but not limited to:
  • Conjunctivitis (pink eye)
  • Infectious diarrhea
  • Impetigo
  • Hepatitis A
  • Scarlet Fever
  • Scabies
  • Ringworm
  • Strep Throat
  • Lice

  • When a child has certain symptoms, he/she should be kept at home. Some of these are:
  • Fever – A fever is a sign that the body is fighting an infection. In the event of a temperature, the child should not come to school until he/she is fever free for a 24-hour period without the aid of a fever reducing medication such as Tylenol. If your child wakes with a high temperature and you administer a fever reducer, this generally only last a few hours and we will have to call you when you arrive at work to come pick up your child. In the meantime, the other children have been exposed to an undiagnosed illness.
  • Diarrhea - When a child has s single loose stool he or she does not need to be at home. However, if a child has very runny stools that cannot be contained in a diaper, or the child cannot reach the toilet in time, the stool may contaminate the child care setting and this child must remain home. Please use your discretion with this. If the child has diarrhea that’s not contained, you will be called to come pick your child up from school. We typically make this call if the child has had three loose stools.
  • Running Nose - Children with constant runny noses that are not caused by allergies may spread germs every-where. They may wipe their noses on their hands, and then rub them on other children, toys and on surfaces. This is a difficult on to call. Please keep in mind how you would feel if another child’s parent brought their child to care and exposed your healthy child. These cases will be handled on a case-by-case basis. Your cooperation is fully needed.

Health & Safety

If your child becomes ill while at child care, he/she will be isolated from the other children and one parent will be called immediately. If we am unable to contact a parent, we will call the designated emergency contact person on their emergency form. The child will be unable to remain in childcare if ill and we will expect them to be picked up within the hour. No exceptions – if a child is not picked up within one hour you will be billed a late fee of $5.00 per minute. If your child is unable to go outside or participate in daily activities, please inform us. A special need required by one child restricts the activities of all children. Prolonged requests for special treatment may result in a request to keep the child home until they are able to participate in normal activities. Should your child require a modified diet due to recovery from an illness or injury, please inform us. You may be requested to supply the necessary foods required. We will NOT provide any food to a child with any type of food allergy.

Medication Policy

  • BVCCA teachers and staff are allowed to administer prescription medication only if:
  • The medication is provided in its original container, with prescription label indicating the frequency.
  • You provide written consent, via a Medication Consent Form.
  • For any non-prescription medication, you sign a medication consent form giving permission to administer such medication to your child. For your child’s safety, you must hand the medication and forms directly to your child’s teacher or school director.

Toys & Personal Belongings

Parents are asked to see that children do not bring toys or any other personal belongings to our center. We will not be responsible for any items brought from home. These items become a distraction for your child, they will not be permitted to play with them as it is unfair to the other children.

Field Trips

Life is an adventure at BVCCA. Throughout the year your child will have the opportunity to attend field trips. Permission slips are required for your child to attend any field trip. The fee associated with the trip must be paid on the due date. NO EXCEPTIONS!! Any child aged two (2) and under will have to be chaperoned by a parent in order to attend, however all parents are welcome to attend. Care is not provided on field trip days unless otherwise indicated in the trip form. If you are chaperoning your child on a trip please know that you will be completely responsible for your child. The staff will only be assigned to care for children who do not have a chaperone with them.

Termination Policy

  • The center reserves the right to suggest removal of your child from our center due to, but not limited to, the following reasons:
  • His/Her ability to adjust or relate to the group experience.
  • Unfulfilled financial obligations.
  • Unacceptable behavior resulting in harm or injury to another child or staff.
  • Constant negative behavior which takes away from the attention and care for the other children in the class.
  • Lack of parental support when asking for diapers, wipes, food, etc.
  • Any vulgar behavior by a parent within the facility or towards the facility and staff.

Severe Weather & Fire Drills

BVCCA has emergency plans for both fire and severe weather evacuation. Fire drills are held on a regular basis, so the children become familiar with the procedure. In the event of inclement weather please call our main number, 215-660-9119, to hear the message of opening and closing status. The recording will be available as early as 5:30 AM. In the event of an early dismissal due to bad weather you will be given at least an hour notice prior to closure.

Child Abuse Reporting

Any staff who have a reason to believe that a child enrolled in our facility has been or is being abused or is in an unsafe situation, is required by law to report suspected child abuse to ChildLine as mandated by the Child Protective Services Law (CPSL).

State License

BVCCA is a state licensed childcare facility. That means we meet all the requirements set forth by the state of Pennsylvania regarding safety, healthcare, staff qualifications, activities, and staff/child ratios.

School Closings

  • Our facility is only closed for the following holidays:
  • • Memorial Day: Monday, May 27, 2024
  • • 4th of July: Thursday and Friday, Jul 4 - 5, 2024
  • • Labor Day: Monday, September 2, 2024
  • • Thanksgiving: Thursday and Friday, November 28-29, 2024
  • • Christmas: Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, December 24 - 26, 2024
  • • New Years: Closing at 2 pm on Tuesday, December 31, 2024
  • Wednesday and Thursday, January 1 and 2, 2025
  • A detailed list of specific dates will be given to you which will indicate any other closures. Early dismissals will be announced in enough time to arrange alternative care.

Tuition & Fees -

  • 2024 Tuition:
  • 6 weeks to 18 months
  • $425.00 - Full Time / 5 Full Days Weekly
  • $330.00 - Part Time / 3 Full Days Weekly

  • 19 months to 3 years
  • $375.00 - Full Time / 5 Full Days Weekly
  • $305.00 - Full Time / 3 Full Days Weekly

  • 4 to 5 years
  • $350.00 - Full Time / 5 Full Days Weekly
  • $255.00 - Part Time / 5 Days (Pick up @ 1:00 pm)

  • If your child does not attend for whatever reason: illness, vacation, absence, holiday, closures, etc. you must still pay your child’s tuition in full including the day(s) of their absence. Therefore, the full tuition is payable for each week your child is enrolled in school. No refunds will be made for days missed due to inclement weather, vacation, or illness. Our tuition is based on an annual rate. It takes into consideration holidays and instances where the school may have to close. Paying weekly is a convenience. Any part time child enrolled in our facility will not be able to switch days for reasons of closures. This is unfair to our full-time students who cannot make up for those days. ABSOLUTLY NO EXCEPTIONS!

Return Check Fee

There is a $45.00 fee for a returned check. After the first returned check you will be required to pay all future tuition and fees in cash or money order.

Late Tuition

There will be a $10.00 per day late fee for each day your child’s tuition goes unpaid. The late fees are due at the time of the tuition payment. After one week of late tuition your child will not be accepted for care. If you need to set up an arrangement, you must speak to the center director.

Parent/Guardian/Caregiver Communication

Communication is very important to us. When we accept a new family into our center, we like to be sure that we can share openly any concerns or questions that may arise. It is important that there is a similar childcare philosophy between us. We welcome questions, feedback, or discussions of any kind that are oriented towards a positive outcome for the child(ren). Sensitive issues will be discussed in private either by telephone or conference. We publish a monthly calendar that will explain some of the activities we are doing, our current curriculum themes, events that will be happening during that month, our days off, and any other pertinent or fun information that may be of interest to you.