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Information & Curriculum

We strive for the overall development of the child.

All of our classrooms use a curriculum and the PA Learning Standards. The curriculum at Bella Vista Child Care Academy provides a wealth of creative activities to help children develop their minds and bodies in a safe and healthy environment. The PA Learning Standards are research-based standards that are the key to supporting our curriculum. A strong academic foundation will enrich children with the skills necessary to succeed in every phase of their lives. We provide a warm learning environment that is safe, healthy, and well organized. The classrooms are designed to promote learning and a harmonious environment is encouraged. The teachers prepare daily schedules, routines, and plans for individual children, small groups, and the entire class. This allows time for child-initiated and teacher-directed learning. Themed based lesson plans provide a variety of topics for your children to explore. Monthly calendars and newsletters are sent home to provide each family with a schedule of events. Your child’s teacher will encourage your child’s learning in literacy, math, science, social studies, the arts, and technology. Emphasis is placed on gaining an understanding of themselves and an appreciation of persons belonging to all social, cultural and ethnic groups. LiteracyLanguage development is encouraged by talking and listening to the children, reading books, story retelling, rhymes, finger plays, writing, learning children’s poetry, and dramatic play. Literacy is incorporated in the learning centers and everyday routines. Throughout your child’s day, many socialization opportunities arise. The classroom’s reading area is a place where the children can look at books on their own, retell stories and even make up their own stories. MathematicsThe classrooms have rich mathematics environment that is integrated throughout the daily activities. The teachers are very knowledgeable about the facts and concepts needed to promote and extend children’s mathematical thinking. The teachers focus on number concepts, patterns and relationships, geometry, measurement and data collection. Your children are enthusiastically engaged in the work of learning. Science and TechnologyYour children learn science concepts by using their senses to observe and explore while using their thinking skills to investigate the world around them. The science concepts include earth and the environment, life science and physical science. Children also learn about technology by exploring how things work. At the computer center, your children learn the basic operation of the computer, and are able to learn new information while creating and exploring. Social StudiesYour children learn about how people live today, how they lived in the past and geography. The teachers create a learning environment that guides the children to gain experiences and skills that help them pose meaningful questions about themselves, their relationships, their communities and their world. The teachers hold a deep respect for a child’s culture and are responsive to how culture, family, and young children weave together. Creative ArtsThe classrooms have rich mathematics environment that is integrated throughout the daily activities. The teachers are very knowledgeable about the facts and concepts needed to promote and extend children’s mathematical thinking. The teachers focus on number concepts, patterns and relationships, geometry, measurement, and data collection. Your children are enthusiastically engaged in the work of learning.

Policies

FeesInvoices will be added to your Brightwheel account weekly on Fridays. Please review each bill for accuracy. Tuition is payable on a weekly basis and is due on Mondays. Please remember that your tuition will be charged even if your child is absent from the center. A late charge will be added to any unpaid balance that is not paid by Tuesday AM of each week. HolidaysBVCCA will be 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
School ClosingIn the event of inclement weather, we make every effort to remain open. If we do find it necessary to close or open late, NBC 10 will display the information on TV beginning at 5:00 a.m. and it will be available on their web site. You will also receive closing information for any emergency situation through our Facebook page, Instagram or through Brightwheel, which works by phone and email. You may also use the school’s answering machine. If it is necessary to close early, for any reason, the school will contact each family directly. Birthdays and Special OccasionsThroughout the year we celebrate a variety of special events: Halloween Parties, Thanksgiving Feasts, Holiday Shows, etc. Families and friends are welcome to join our celebrations. Please let your child’s teacher know in advance that you would like to bring in a special treat (e.g., munchkins, cookies) for your child’s birthday. Outside PlayEvery classroom is required on a daily basis to participate in outdoor play. Please be sure that your child/children have the appropriate outerwear, this includes gloves, hats, coats, snow suits, and boots. This also includes a bottle of sunscreen that should be left in the classroom. Every item must be properly marked with the child’s name.

Age Groupings

Infant Care (6 weeks to 12 months)BVCCA provides a loving and nurturing environment for all of our children to grow and learn. Especially with infants, 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 us. This schedule should include any information that will help us best care for your baby. Into that schedule, we will incorporate a music session, movement session, story time, structured play, and free play. You will be required to supply your own bottes, formula, lunch, diapers, wipes, bibs, and three changes of clothing. Each infant will have an assigned crib. You will need to provide the sheets, which must be taken home once a week to be laundered. Each child will be changed every two hours or whenever necessary. You will receive notification throughout the day from Bright Wheel of your child’s feedings, naps, diaper changes, and any other important information regarding your child's day including pictures. Toddlers (13 months to 3 years)Younger toddlers (13 months to 18 months) are little “explores." For the first time, they are able to move about and are curious about their environment. Our Staff promotes the child’s feeling of confidence by encouraging a hands-on experience in a protected atmosphere. For a detailed schedule of daily activities CLICK HERE.
Older toddlers (19 months through 36 months) 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 participating in and adding to their ventures. For a detailed schedule of daily activities CLICK HERE.
Preschool and Pre-K (3 years through 5 years / fully potty trained)Our Pre-school program utilizes your child’s increased 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. For a detailed schedule of daily activities CLICK HERE. 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. For a detailed schedule of daily activities CLICK HERE.

What You Should Know

Health and Safety Our goal is to ensure that every child in our care is in the safest environment possible. Upon entering our facilities there is a security system for guardians to gain access.• Emergency contact forms are filled out by each family.• Hand-washing is practiced during diapering, bathroom, and meal routines.• Children are taught to manage health practices independently.• Professional janitorial services clean our facilities every evening.• Staff are good role models for health practices.• Care is always given to children’s appearances.• First aid kits are accessible to teachers at all times.• Families are responsible for bringing their children to the center in good health.• Children who have been diagnosed with any illnesses are asked to notify the director immediately. We will then inform all of the families in our center so that they are made aware of any symptoms associated with that particular illness.• Non-toxic play materials are provided.• Staff take action to prevent safety problems and children are explained the reason for safety rules.• Indoor play areas are arranged to avoid safety problems. Open Door PolicyParents 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! Brightwheel Daily UpdatesBella Vista Child Care Academy uses Brightwheel for real-time feed of activities throughout the day: meals, nap time, diapering and potty.
We will upload photos 
throughout the day so you can see your child’s day unfold with snapshots delivered to your mobile device. 

 We will keep you connected and in 
touch with your teacher to strengthen school learning with activities at home.
 

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

Our Rates

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 - Part 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) Subsidized Care Information (CCIS)The state and federal governments have made funding available to assist qualifying parents in meeting their childcare expenses. In Philadelphia, subsidized childcare is available for working families through CCIS. Application fees are waived for any family who qualifies for subsidized childcare. Visit www.philadelphiachildcare.org for more information or call their hotline at (888) 461-KIDS (5437).