Welcome to April!

Re-Registration forms are due by Monday, April 3rd - If you would like to continue at YCP for the upcoming Academic year, please indicate on the form. Those who will be leaving us, must include an approximate date as to your child's last day - we ask you to put down a specific day with the understanding that this might shift a day or two. Forms may be turned in to the Front Desk and payment may be made via check or online - all forms must be accompanied by the associated fee. Re-Registration does not apply to Grasshoppers and those who have enrolled in the past 3 months.

Parent Teacher Conferences - Spring Evaluations/Conferences will be scheduled for Monday, April 17th - Friday, April 28th. Conferences will be scheduled in the afternoon hours from 1:30-3pm in 15-minute increments. Grasshopper conferences will be scheduled in 30-minute increments. If you are not able to make it into school at this time, we strongly encourage you to sign-up for a Call-In conference. No Infant Room Conferences.

Easter Egg Roll - Please make sure to bring in three (3) hard-boiled eggs no later than Monday, April 10th. Children will be decorating eggs the whole week and the Egg Hunt will be on Friday, April 14th. Please note, that all Holidays celebrated are secular in nature (we do not observe the religious aspects of any marked Holidays.) Easter Egg Roll does not apply to the Infant Room.

Staff Changes - Ms. Suzet from the Infant Room, will be on indefinite leave as she visits her home country beginning April 12th. Taking her place, we have a new staff member, Ms. Shahira who has been volunteering in various YCP classrooms these past few weeks. She is very excited to start under the mentorship of the wonderful teachers in the Infant Room, Ms. Sabina and Ms. Gloria.

CSA Opportunity - We have the opportunity to set up YCP as a CSA drop-off site again this year. We are excited to be partnering with a new farm this season, Potomac Vegetable Farm. Please check out their farm, mission, and CSA here. If you are interested, please email us no later than Friday, April 14th. The farm anticipates all of their shares will be gone by the end of April, so the sooner you can commit, the better. We must meet a minimum of 10 families to qualify as a drop-off site, though we hope to have more families than that sign up. If you are unsure how a CSA would work for your family, please feel free to contact us and we will put you in touch with some willing participants from last year's CSA.

What is a CSA?

Community Supported Agriculture (or CSA) is a produce subscription program where eaters pay in advance and get a share of the produce grown on the farm throughout the season. Put another way, a CSA is a relationship between eaters, farmers and the land in which everyone shares the risks and rewards of farming. By directly supporting a local farm, your family will get lots of delicious, nutritious, and local vegetables in return.

Events

April Show & Tell and Monthly Activity Calendars will be posted by Sunday, April 2nd, please look for them.

April Lunch Menu is now posted online.

Welcome to March!

Re-Registration - You will find Re-Registration forms in your child's Tote Bag by Monday, March 13th.  If you would like to continue at YCP for the upcoming Academic year, please indicate on the form. All re-registration forms must be accompanied by the fee to guarantee your child's spot. Those who will be leaving us, must include a date as to your child's last day - we ask you to put down a specific day with the understanding that this might shift a day or two. Further information will be included on the form. Forms are due by April 3rd and payment may be made via separate check or online.

Grasshopper Summer Registration - This year to accommodate an earlier FCPS start date and the needs of our PreK families, we will be offering a Grasshopper-only Summer Session Program. Parents please look for further information to be placed in your child's tote by Monday, March 13th.

Froggy Room - We are happy to report that Ms. Maryam will be returning to YCP on Monday, March 15th after an extended Medical leave of absence. We are thrilled to welcome her back!

Events

March Monthly Activity Calendars and Lunch Menu are now posted online.

Show & Tell is listed in the Calendar portion of the website - click on the individual day to see what items your child needs to bring in.

Welcome to February!

Valentine's Day Party - Children will exchange cards and enjoy special holiday treats on Friday, February 10th at 3:30pm (Both Houses.) Please look for sign-up sheets if you would like to bring in food items for the parties. All Valentine's cards must be given to teachers no later than the Monday, February 6th. Please do not include any candy or chocolate with your cards. We will email class lists by the end of this week. Children in the Infant Room will not be participating in the party.

Show & Tell - Every Tuesday, children in the Flower, Bumble Bee, Ladybug, and Grasshopper rooms have “Show and Tell.” related to the Week’s Theme.  Show and Tell is an opportunity for your child to become comfortable with their Verbal and Sharing skills.  Children are also encouraged to listen and take turns during their friends’ presentations.

Your child's Show & Tell items will be posted on Classroom Boards and Online Calendars, as well as in the Monthly Newsletters. Please talk to your child about the object they would like to bring in and why - helping them construct a narrative the evening before will give them added confidence during their informal "presentation." Please make sure you ONLY bring in the requested item as it relates to the Weekly Theme.

Kindness Month - For the month of February, the Grasshopper class will be practicing Acts of Kindness. When teachers catch your child acting kind, they will put their name on the Kindness Board in the classroom. Please encourage your child to practice Kindness at home and share with the class the next day.

Immunizations - If your child has recently had or is about to have their 12-month, 18-month, or 4-year Annual check-up, please remember to bring in those immunization records.

Your Child's Place has a pro-vaccine Policy in place that requires all registered children to follow the Minimum Immunization Requirements that Fairfax County has put into place. These guidelines come directly from the American Academy of Pediatrics and Centers for Disease Control. If your child's Immunization Records are not kept up to date, we may ask that you keep your child at home until all records are submitted - our Licensing requires that we stay on top of your child's Vaccination Records at all times.

Events

February Monthly Activity Calendars and Lunch Menu are now posted online.

Valentines's Day party will be on Friday, February 10th at 3:30pm for both buildings.

Please bring in Valentine's Day cards by Monday, February 6th.

We will be OPEN Monday, February 20th for President's Day.

Welcome to January!

Sharing Photos - Your Child’s Place observes many seasonal celebrations and takes photos of these and other classroom events throughout the year. We would like to begin uploading these images to a private and secure website through Shutterfly. Parents would have to set up a login with associated password to access the images. We will send a new Photo Authorization form and follow-up email asking for your permission to do this by the end of this week. Please respond soon after receiving as we have many wonderful photos of our most recent Holiday Parties that we would like to share. This service will replace the individual emails sent to parents with selected photos after major Holidays.

School Portrait Feedback - We are beginning to make plans for Springtime Portraits and are interested in hearing your thoughts on Picture Me Perfect Studios (who most recently did our Winter Photos.) We have the option to return to our previous vendor, Teddy Bear Portraits, if parents are not satisfied or can look elsewhere. Please let Ms. Pashi know or email us your thoughts.

Events

January Monthly Activity Calendars and Lunch Menu are now posted online.

We will be OPEN Monday, January 16th (MLK Day) & Friday, January 20th (Inauguration Day.)

Winter Policies

Winter Playground Policy - We include Free and Structured outdoor play every day and see this as a vital part of your child's schedule. If your child is not able to participate in outdoor play for whatever reason, we ask that you keep them at home. During periods of extreme cold, playground times may be shortened. Young Toddlers go out once every morning. Children ages 2 and older go out twice a day, once in the morning and once in the late afternoon. Children will remain inside for any active snow showers.

In order for your child to comfortably play outside, they will need the proper attire, to include:

• Sturdy shoes/boots and socks
• Hats
• Gloves/Mittens
• No Scarves
• IF there is snow on the ground, you may bring a snowsuit - We are only able to play in the snow if at least 5-8 children (depending on the classroom ) have proper cold-weather attire.

All playground visits are at the discretion of the Director and may be modified during extreme temperatures/weather.

YCP Closings & Delays - On the days when YCP has a delayed opening, Morning Snack will not be served. Please make sure your child has been fed before bringing them. During severe weather, we always appreciate early pick-ups, so that staff and families may travel safely home. 

To check YCP’s status during an emergency, please go to:

·       YCP Twitter Account (@yourchildsplace)

·       YCP Home Page, the live feed at the bottom of the page.

Weather-Related Closings/Delays:

YCP follows the Federal Government (OPM) for closing and late procedures based on weather. The Center will remain open during liberal leave policies. If you are uncertain about a potential delay during school hours, you may call us on the day in question for verification. 

After hours, you can also go to OPM Current Status for up to the minute alerts on the Federal Government's operating procedures.

Emails will NOT be sent for standard OPM weather closings and late procedures.

Emergency Closings during a Federal Holiday:

If there is an emergency closing on a Federal Holiday where YCP is open, all Closings/Late Procedures will be at the discretion of the Director. Decisions will always err on the side of safety for our staff and families traveling to and from school. A decision will be made by 5:30am on the day of. 

Parents WILL receive an email stating any closing/delays for these types of unexpected emergencies only.

Do not check the OPM site during Federal Holidays as the status will reflect Normal Operating Procedures and not display Emergency Closures on Holidays.

All Other Emergency Closings:

During all other emergency closings, including but not limited to Terrorist Alerts, the Center will observe Fairfax County Public School Procedures.  Please ask to see a copy of our Emergency Preparedness Policies and Procedures at the front desk for further information.

An email WILL be sent if YCP closes for localized emergencies.

Welcome to December!

Ms. Pashi will be on Vacation from Friday, December 2nd - Wednesday, December 21st. You may direct all inquiries to Ms. Zinat or your child's teachers. Ms. Pashi will be able to receive emails on a limited basis and the Office can forward on correspondence to and from her, if needed.

Virginia Department of Social Services Mandated Inspections - The Fairfax County Office for Children conducts multiple site visits over the course of a year to make sure that we are maintaining all regulations and standards.  Our most recent unannounced visit occurred on Tuesday, November 8th. The Inspector spent a total of 4 hours conducting a thorough inspection of facilities, records, and most importantly the staff's interaction and overall care of children. We encourage parents to read the full report which are posted on the Information Boards in both houses. All past Inspection reports can be accessed online through the VDSS website. We are very pleased to report that there were no major violations. Some of the issues cited relate to Facility Upgrades that we plan to address during Winter Break. We use that week off to complete large building projects that we are not able to do during the year such as bathroom renovations, floor upgrades, painting, etc. This year we will be resurfacing the Infant Room floor and replacing windows and all window treatments in both buildings.

Medication Consent for Under Two (2) Years - Effective immediately, per the Inspection report, all non-prescription medication for children under the age of Two (2) must be accompanied by a Parental Medication Consent Form AND a Dr.'s note. This includes Acetaminophine and Ibuprofen - pain/fever-reducing medicines that are often used for teething and symptoms resulting from Immunizations. The staff will no longer be able to administer these medicines to any child under the age of Two without your Pediatrician's specific authorization, to include frequency and amount of dosage. Children overthe age of Two (2) will be able to receive non-prescription medications with just a Parental Medication Consent Form.

Holiday Party & Play for the Bumble Bee/Ladybug/Grasshopper Rooms will be on Friday, December 16th at 10:30am.  We welcome parents and family members as we celebrate the season with a sing-a-long presentation followed by a gift exchange and visit from Santa.  Holiday snacks will be served immediately after - please look for a sign-up sheet and note about the gift exchange in the coming weeks. Please make sure to bring in a small wrapped present with your child's name clearly displayed by Tuesday, December 13th. You may discreetly hand the present to Ms. Zinat or your child's teacher - this is the present that YOUR child will receive.

Holiday Party for the Dragonfly/Froggy/Flower Rooms will be on Thursday, December 22nd. We will celebrate with a gift exchange and a visit from Santa, followed by special snacks - please look for a sign-up sheet and note about gifts in the coming weeks. We ask that parents do not attend this event.

Gifts - Teachers do not expect gifts, but if you are so inclined, individual gifts of cash or gift certificates would be most appreciated.  Management would be happy to offer suggestions.

Winter Break - We will be closed beginning Monday, December 26th through Monday January 2nd. School will open on Tuesday, January 3rd. Full tuition applies during the annual Holiday Break. We stay open for a number of Federal Holidays throughout the year so that we may close for an equal amount of days over the break between Christmas and New Year’s.  Please refer to the Holiday Calendar attached here.

Holiday Celebrations - Your Child’s Place observes many seasonal celebrations throughout the year.  These holidays are not specific to any religion and only the cultural aspects are emphasized. Activities and lessons are kept secular in nature, focusing on secular characters and objects commonly associated with the holiday and avoiding all religious references.

We welcome parents who would like to share their family traditions with activities, songs, or foods. Please consult with your child's teacher if you are interested in coming to the Center to do so. Your Child’s Place respects and honors each individual’s preference in respect to religion.

Events

December Monthly Activity Calendars and Lunch Menu are now posted online.

Big Kids Holiday Party & Play will be on Friday, December 16th at 10:30am and Little Kids Holiday Party will be on Thursday, December 22nd at 10:30am.

Winter Break - We will be closed Monday, December 26th - Monday January 2nd and will re-open on Tuesday, January 3rd.

Welcome to November!

Reminder that Tuition is due Monday Morning via dropped check or online. If you will not be able to submit payment by 10am Monday, please email Ms. Pashi to inform her. Receipts will no longer be automatically placed in your child's cubby. If you wish to receive receipts please email Ms. Pashi and she will send you an electronic receipt.

Picture Me Perfect Portraits are scheduled for November 1st and November 2nd. Proofs will be sent for your review by Wednesday, November 16th. Finished photos will be ready by the first week of December. We are trying a new company this Fall and would appreciate feedback on your experiences and the final products.

Fall Evaluations/Conferences are scheduled for Monday, October 31st - Friday, November 11th. See schedule below. If you are not able to make it into school at this time, we strongly encourage you to sign-up for a Call-In conference. (No Infant Room Conferences.)

Dragonfly, Froggy, Flower, Bumble Bee, Ladybug Classrooms:

• 8:30 - 9am (15-Minute slots) from October 31st - November 4th
• 1:15 - 2:45pm (30-Minute slots) from October 31st - November 11th

Grasshopper Classroom:

• 1:15 - 2:45pm (30-Minute slots) October 31st - November 11th
• 5 - 5:30pm (30-Minute slots) October 31st - November 11th

Halloween Party was a spooky success - thanks to all of the teachers for their hard work with activities and decorations and parents for all of the yummy treats! And it's not too late to request pictures from the parties, please respond to info@yourchildsplaceva.com

Events

November Monthly Activity Calendars and Lunch Menu are now posted online.

Show & Tell is listed in the Calendar portion of the website - click on the individual day to see what items your child needs to bring in.

We will be OPEN Friday, November 11th for Veteran's Day.

Fall Parent-Teacher Conferences will be scheduled for Monday, October 31st - Friday, November 11th.

We will be CLOSED on Thursday, November 26th & Friday, November 27th for Thanksgiving.

Welcome to October!

Halloween - We are very excited for the first Holiday of the Season! A few reminders:

• Please bring a Small/Medium Pumpkin for your child to decorate no later than Friday, October 21st.
• Halloween Party (kids-only) will be on Friday, October 28th, Little Kids (including Infants) in the morning and Big Kids in the afternoon.
• Please bring your child's costume in a separate bag - teachers will change your child into their costume just before the party.
• We welcome Snack Donations for the parties - please look for Snack Sign-Up Sheets, remember no candy or juices are allowed.
• YCP will close promptly at 5pm on Monday, October 31st.
• Please email info@yourchildsplaceva.com if you would like pictures of your children from the Halloween Party sent to you.

Federal Holiday Policy - YCP will remain open on a select number of Federal Holidays so that we may close for an equal amount of days over the Winter Holiday Break. Full Tuition applies during the Winter Break. And a reminder that if an Emergency Closing (like snow) falls on a Federal Holiday where YCP is open, all Closings/Late Procedures will be at the discretion of the Director.

All Holidays can be found on our Website Calendar or on our School Calendar.

Homework for Grasshoppers - Ms. Patty and Ms. Pavlina will assign one homework assignment for the duration of the year. Homework will be assigned on Wednesday and will be due on Friday. If your child is unable to complete their work, you may also bring back by the following Friday or choose to not finish. Homework is not mandatory and Teachers will not be grading these assignments nor are they looking for "perfect" work.

The purpose of assignments is to reinforce daily concepts and encourage responsibility by completing/returning their homework. The assigned homework will vary throughout the year, but will include some worksheets. Assignments shouldn't take more than 10-15 minutes of your child's time and if you do see your child struggling or becoming bored, you can stop the project. If you see repeated frustrations at home, please let us know - the point of sending work home for children is to develop responsibility and initiative and is less about the quality of the work.

Extra Clothes - Please begin to switch out your child's extra clothes to Cold Weather items - pants, long-sleeve shirts, socks, etc. Please make sure your child has a light jacket/sweatshirt to wear at the playground - our playground is shaded and can be a bit cooler during Morning Recess.

Fall Parent-Teacher Conferences will be scheduled for Monday, October 31st - Friday, November 11th. Conferences will be scheduled in the afternoon hours for 30-minute increments and some Morning and Afternoon conferences for 15-minute increments. See schedule below. If you are not able to make it into school at this time, we strongly encourage you to sign-up for a Call-In conference. No Infant Room Conferences. Please look for Sign-Up Sheets to come.

Dragonfly, Froggy, Bumble Bee Classrooms:

• 8:30 - 9am (15-Minute slots) from October 31st - November 4th
• 1:15 - 2:45pm (30-Minute slots) from October 31st - November 11th

Flower and Ladybug Classrooms:

• 8:30 - 9am (15-Minute slots) November 7th - November 11th
• 1:15 - 2:45pm (30-Minute slots) October 31st - November 11th

Grasshopper Classroom:

• 1:15 - 2:45pm (30-Minute slots) October 31st - November 11th
• 5 - 5:30pm (30-Minute slots) October 31st - November 11th

Events

October Monthly Activity Calendars and Lunch Menu are now posted online.

We will be OPEN Monday, October 10th for Columbus Day.

Fall Parent-Teacher Conferences will be scheduled for Monday, October 31st - Friday, November 11th.

Welcome to September!

Welcome back to Your Child's Place! - we hope everyone had a wonderful summer and we are looking forward to welcoming your children to their new classrooms and getting the year started! We would like to remind seasoned parents and inform new parents about some basic back to school items.

Update Forms  - Please look for "Updated Contact Information" and "Authorization for Emergency Care" sheets to be placed inside your child's Tote bags next week. Fill out and return by Monday, September 19th. Please indicate on your Updated Contact sheet if you would like to be included in the distributed Parent Contact List (only preferred email addresses will be included this year.)

Supplies - All classrooms need the following items by the first day of school:

• Box of Wipes
• Box of Tissues
• Blanket for Nap
• Extra set of Clothes (2-3 sets for Infant/Dragonfly/Froggy/Flower/Bumble Bee & 1 set for Ladybug/Grasshopper)
• Printed Family Picture
• Infant Room - please check the complete list of Needed Items

Show & Tell - Every Tuesday, some classrooms will have “Show and Tell,” where we ask your child to bring in an object relating to the Week’s Theme.  Show and Tell items are listed in the Calendar and in the Monthly Activities. Show and Tell is an opportunity for your child to become comfortable with their Verbal and Sharing skills.  Children are also encouraged to listen and take turns during their friends’ presentations.

 Please talk to your child about the object they would like to bring in and why - helping them construct a narrative the evening before will give them added confidence during their informal "presentation."

Consider the following criteria, when selecting an object:

• No Action Figures
• No Weapons of any kind (Guns, Swords, etc.)
• No objects that require batteries
• Must be able to fit into their bag or backpack
•  Be an object that your child does not mind others touching
• Items will only be shared at the designated time and will remain in your child’s cubby for the remainder of the day
• Please label all items with your child's name.

Communication - The beginning of the year is quite hectic and we want to make sure that all questions, concerns, and comments are heard. General Information will be provided for each child on their "Daily Info Log" placed in your child's bag to go home. We ask that you do not ask teachers detailed and lengthy questions during pick-up and drop-off as these are very busy times and teachers will not be able to give you their undivided attention. If you are looking for specific information, please schedule a meeting with your child's teacher. We also have Communication Log Books placed in each house, where parents can write down basic instructions and information (if and when your child will be picked up early, details on birthday celebrations, Doctor's appointments, etc.) For immediate concerns, please discuss with Ms. Pashi. She is available to speak at length and in-person from the hours of 9:30 - 12:30 and 2:30- 4:30pm. Or if you would prefer, you may email her at any time with any concerns to pashi@yourchildsplaceva.com. All of this will be covered in the Back to School nights (see below.)

Monthly Newsletters are published here on our YCP Blog, with lots of great information that can be found in the archives. Immediate alerts will be communicated via Twitter @YourChildsPlace while general alerts will be emailed to your inbox.

Events

September Monthly Activity Calendars and Lunch Menu are now posted online.

We will be closed Monday, September 5th for Labor Day.

Academic Year begins on Tuesday, September 6th - new tuition rates apply at that time.

Back to School Night for Bumble Bee, Ladybug, and Grasshopper Rooms is scheduled for Wednesday, September 14th from 6-7pm.  Childcare will be offered at $15, to include dinner.

Back to School Night for Infants, Dragonfly, Froggy, and Flower Rooms is scheduled for Thursday, September 15th from 6-7pm.  Childcare for toddlers will be offered at $15, to include dinner.  Infants may attend, but must remain in your care.

Please RSVP to info@yourchildsplaceva.com by Friday, September 9th.

Welcome to August!

Teachers ask that you bring in a plain white t-shirt for your child by Wednesday, August 10th. Children and teachers will tie-dye and decorate shirts for a special "Summer YCP 2016" project (Does not apply to Infant Room.)

Splash Day Reminder

Little Kids (Dragonfly, Froggy, Flower) are every Wednesday.

Big Kids (Bumble Bees, Ladybugs, Grasshoppers) are every Thursday.

Please remember to have your children come to school already wearing their Bathing Suit with water shoes (crocs/water socks etc.) Bring a separate bag (shopping bag) packed with the following:

• Change of clothes, including underwear.
• Close-toed shoes, including socks.
• A towel
• A Swim Diaper - Please have your child arrive in a regular diaper/pull-up and we will change them into their Swim Diaper before the activity.

You do not need to apply sunscreen to your child on Splash Day as the porch area is covered. Teachers will apply sunscreen before going to the playground on that day. For all other days, please apply sunscreen to your child before bringing them in. Teachers will apply sunscreen/mosquito repellent in the afternoon, if needed.

Fall Classroom Assignments - Emails will be sent on Friday, August 12th with your child's Fall Classroom Assignment and Welcome Letter. Any tuition changes will be noted at that time.

Fall Tuition - Please find new tuition rates here beginning on Tuesday, September 6th.

Events

August Monthly Activity Calendars and Lunch Menu are now posted online.

In-House Field Trips, where we bring in performers and activities occur every Friday at 11am. We welcome parents to come and participate and experience with their children. Please let us know the day before if you plan on attending. Shows during August:

Friday, August 5th - Groovy Nate (Musician)

Friday, August 12th - Little Einstein Scientists explore "Ooey Gooey Science"

Friday, August 19th - KD Puppets present "Bunny Tales & Fancy Cat Adventures"

We will be closed Monday, September 5th for Labor Day.

Back to School Night will be scheduled for:

• Wednesday, September 7th for Bumble Bee, Ladybug, and Grasshopper Rooms
• Wednesday, September 14th for Infant, Dragonfly, Froggy, and Flower Rooms

Welcome to July!

Summer Program

We have posted updated Summer Schedules in each classroom, please take a look. During the Summer, we will not have Weekly Lesson Plans, just Monthly Activity Programs - posted on the website and in each classroom. Summer Activities do not include those in the Infant Room. Also, no Show & Tell during the summer months.

If you have not sent in your Activity Fee of $25, please do so to better help us plan all of the great events we have lined up for our Funtime Fridays!

Splash Day

Little Kids (Dragonfly, Froggy, Flower) are every Wednesday.

Big Kids (Bumble Bees, Ladybugs, Grasshoppers) are every Thursday.

Please remember to have your children come to school already wearing their Bathing Suit with water shoes (crocs/water socks etc.) Bring a separate bag (shopping bag) packed with the following:

• Change of clothes, including underwear.
• Close-toed shoes, including socks.
• A towel
• A Swim Diaper - Please have your child arrive in a regular diaper/pull-up and we will change them into their Swim Diaper before the activity.

You do not need to apply sunscreen to your child on Splash Day as the porch area is covered. Teachers will apply sunscreen before going to the playground on that day. For all other days, please apply sunscreen to your child before bringing them in. Teachers will apply sunscreen/mosquito repellent in the afternoon, if needed.

Graduation

We had a wonderful Graduation Ceremony on Friday, June 24th where we said goodbye and good luck to 17 Grasshoppers! Bumble Bee and Ladybug classrooms sang farewell songs and wished their older friends good luck. Our Grasshoppers performed songs about their journey at YCP and brought the house down with a choreographed routine to "Uptown Funk."

In all of the excitement, many parents did not get a chance to look at all of the amazing Graduation Bulletin Boards in the Grasshopper Room. We encourage everyone to stop by and take a look at all of the work and pictures of our graduates. Any parents who are interested in receiving a copy of the Grasshopper Slideshow, you may email us for a downloadable version.

We want to thank all of the teachers for all of their hard work - Ms. Patty, Ms. Caroline, Ms. Connie, Ms. Alina, and Ms. Usha. And we want to thank all of our wonderful parents for the touching gifts commemorating YCP's 20th year!

Events

We will be closed Monday, July 4th for Independence Day.

July Monthly Activity Calendars and Lunch Menu are now posted online.

In-House Field Trips, where we bring in performers and activities occur every Friday at 11am. We welcome parents to come and participate and experience with their children. Please let us know the day before if you plan on attending. Shows during July:

Friday, July 8th - Captain Allstar (Magician)

Friday, July 15th - KD Puppets present "3 Billy Goats Gruff"

Friday, July 22nd - Squeals on Wheels present "Fur, Feathers, & Scales"

Friday, July 29th - Little Einstein Scientists explore "Rescue to the Sea"

Welcome to June!

News

Preschool Graduation is set for Friday, June 24th for Graduates and Families only. The program will begin at 10:30 am sharp and end promptly at 11:30 am (please arrive no earlier than 10:15 am.) Light refreshments will be served and we welcome siblings, grandparents, and all other extended family - RSVP with total number of guests by Friday, June 10th. Please limit the amount of cars to no more than two (2) per family.

Extra Clothes - Now is a good time to switch out extra clothes in your child's cubby to warm weather attire. Infants need 4-5 extra sets of clothes, Toddlers need 2-3 sets of clothes, Older kids need 1-2 sets of clothes. Please check your child's cubby at the end of every week to make sure that they have enough extra clothing.

Summer Program - The YCP Academic Year will end on June 24th and the Summer Program will begin on Tuesday, July 5th.  Activities will be structured around summer themes and will focus on children playing and have fun. Some academic lessons will continue so that children do not backtrack before entering their new classrooms in the Fall. We will not post Weekly Activities, but our Thematic Activity Calendars will still be available every month. A few details about the program:

• An Activity Fee of $25 is due by Monday, June 27th and goes towards supplies, special events, and performances.
• Our "In-House Field Trips" are scheduled on most Fridays. Parents are welcome to attend these events, please look for these in the Monthly Calendars and let us know if you would like to come. This year we will have A Magician, Puppet Shows, Petting Zoo, Musical/Percussion Performers, and Young Scientists.
• There will be no Show & Tell for the Summer.
• "Splash Day" will occur one day a week where children will have Water Activities. Details will be emailed the last week of June.
• Please refer to the Outdoor Play Policy for questions on appropriate clothing and Playground Time during Inclement Weather (including Code days.)
• Please refer to the Updated Ointment Policy for Outdoor Play. Make sure your child has Mosquito Repellent and Sunscreen for the summer. All ointments must have a current permission form on file, please submit if you have not done so already. Reminder: teachers expect children to come to school wearing suncreen and will only apply sunscreen in the afternoon on an As Needed basis.  Mosquito Repellent will only be applied in the Morning or Afternoon on an As needed Basis (unless otherwise discussed with Ms. Pashi.)

Leaving Items in Cubby - Please make sure that all non-school related items are kept outside of your child's cubby. If you do need to place items in the cubby (extra clothes/items for a playdate, gift-wrapped present, personal correspondence, etc.) please make a note in the Communication Logbook to inform teachers. All non-school items will be removed from cubbies and placed inside locked cabinets until the end of the day, unless noted in the logbook. Please ask your child's teachers where the Logbooks are located if you are unsure. Never leave medications, food/drink items, or ointments in your child's cubby - this is a critical violation according to our licensing agency.

Events

Show & Tell is now listed in the Calendar portion of the website - click on the individual day to see what items your child needs to bring in. Last day of Show & Tell for the Bumble Bee, Ladybug, and Grasshoppers will be on June 14th. Last day of Show & Tell for the Flower Room will be on June 21st.

June Monthly Activity Calendars and Lunch Menu are now posted online.

Welcome to May!

News

Teacher Appreciation Week (May 2nd - 6th) Please help us celebrate our teachers and all of the hard work and care that they put into your child’s day.  We know that they do their best to make your child’s time fun and stimulating, and we want to give you and your child a chance to acknowledge that.  Feel free to participate as little or as much as you want – below are some suggestions for possible gift ideas.

• Monday’s theme is Flowers (bulbs, cut flowers, seeds, flower art, etc.)
• Tuesday’s theme is Relaxation (candles, body spray, face masks, soap, massages, etc.)
• Wednesday’s theme is Sweets and Treats (you could bake a treat or bring in a favorite snack for your child’s teacher to enjoy)
• Thursday’s theme is Cards and Photos (you could have your child draw a picture, write a note, or include a photo thanking their teacher)
• Friday’s theme is a Special Luncheon - Allison's Mom has kindly offered to coordinate this Lunch. Please contact her if you would like to donate for the lunch.

Parent Teacher Conferences - Thank you to all the parents who participated. If you missed coming in, please let us know if you are still interested in scheduling either a sit-down or phone-in conference. If you chose not to participate, you will need to fill out a "Conference Waiver" form that will be placed in your child's cubby. Please sign and return to the Center by Friday, May 13th.

Virginia Department of Social Services Mandated Inspections - The Fairfax County Office for Children conducts multiple site visits over the course of a year to make sure that we are maintaining all regulations and standards.  Our most recent unannounced visit occurred on Thursday, April 28th. The Inspector spent a total of 3 hours conducting a thorough inspection of facilities, records, and most importantly the staff's interaction and overall care of children. We are very pleased to report that there were no major violations. We encourage parents to read the full report which are posted on the Information Boards in both houses. All past Inspection reports can be accessed online through the VDSS website.

Teachers were also found to be in compliance with their Yearly Training requirements.  All Teachers are required to take a minimum of 16 hours of Early-Childhood Training every year and New Teachers must take an additional 24 hours during their first six months of working.

Events

Teddy Bear Portraits are scheduled for Spring and Graduate portraits on May 10th and 11th. Family portraits may be scheduled with advance notice.

We will be closed on Monday, May 30th for Memorial Day.

Show & Tell is now listed in the Calendar portion of the website - click on the individual day to see what items your child needs to bring in.

May Monthly Activity Calendars and Lunch Menu are now posted online.

Ointment Policy for Outdoor Activities

Mosquito Repellent

The outdoor play area at Your Child’s Place is maintained regularly to keep clear of any standing water that breeds mosquitoes.  A regular monthly inspection of the outdoor play area is conducted for any sign of harmful insect nests or prevalence of mosquitoes. Additionally, we hire a professional pest service to apply a natural mosquito barrier spray every 2 weeks (and more often when there is increased moisture/rainfall.)

We ask parents to bring in mosquito repellent to be kept on hand for days when mosquitos may be particularly aggressive. Mosquito repellent will only be applied on an AS Needed basis. Teachers will not apply mosquito repellent each and every time children play outdoors. When to apply repellent will be at the discretion of the Director with input from Teachers.

Mosquito Repellents  must be accompanied by an Ointment Permission Form (see below.*)

Sunscreen

We understand that children need to be protected from direct exposure to the sun due to sensitive skin.  The outdoor play area at Your Child’s Place has been specifically designed to make use of the ample shade created by existing mature trees, and therefore, there is very little direct sunlight. The sun shines most directly on our playground in the afternoon and children may need sun protection at that time.

We ask parents to apply sunscreen at home before bringing their children into school. Sunscreen will be applied to your child for afternoon outdoor play only. We also recommend dressing your child in long-sleeved shirts and/or pants made of light/breathable fabric. We strongly encourage parents to bring in a sunhat for their children – specifically those that cover both the face and neck and will firmly stay on your child’s head as they run around. All outdoor water activities will occur in a shaded area and sunscreen will not be applied at that time.

Young Toddlers under the age of 2 years will only go to the playground once in the morning. Teachers may reapply sunscreen on them at that time, due to the sensitive nature of their skin. We will not take any children under 2 years out without a sunhat.

Sunscreen must be accompanied by an Ointment Permission Form (see below*.)

*Ointment Permission Forms are good for three (3) months and new forms will be required after the expiration date, if still needed.  Staff is instructed to use the specified ointment products supplied by the parents from the original containers labeled with the child’s name.  Staff must follow manufacturer’s instructions for age, duration and dosage. Ointments will always be applied to the staff member’s hands and then rubbed onto the child’s skin. Staff members without medication administration training may apply ointments, unless it is a prescription in which case the container must be clearly labeled, locked, and applied by a MAT-trained Staff member.

We will no longer be accepting any forms of Aerosol Sprays.

Please bring in Pump-Sprays or Cream for Mosquito Repellent and Sunscreen only.

Welcome to April

News

Parent Teacher Conferences - Spring Evaluations/Conferences will be scheduled for Monday, April 18th - Friday, April 29th. Conferences will be scheduled in the afternoon hours from 1-3pm in 15-minute increments. Grasshopper conferences will be scheduled in 30-minute increments. If you are not able to make it into school at this time, we strongly encourage you to sign-up for a Call-In conference. No Infant Room Conferences.

Re-Registration forms are due NOW - If you would like to continue at YCP for the upcoming Academic year, please indicate on the form. . The fee to guarantee your child’s spot must accompany all re-registration forms. Those who will be leaving us, must include a date as to your child's last day - we ask you to put down a specific day with the understanding that this might shift a day or two. It is more important to know if your child will be leaving before or after the Summer Session. Further information will be included on the form. Forms may be turned in to the Front Desk and payment may be made via check or online.

Family Style Eating - We have introduced this concept at lunch for our Bumble Bee, Ladybug, and Grasshopper Rooms. Children are now encouraged to:

• Serve themselves with child-size serving dishes, utensils, and small pitchers
• Try every item, even if for just one bite
• Practice manners – “Please,” “Thank You,” and “May I have some more?”
• Engage in peer-directed conversation
• Help to set the table
• Practice healthy habits like hand-washing, chewing with their mouths closed, properly using utensils, not touching shared foods

By empowering children during meals, we have found them to be more interested in the food being served. And after a few days of spills, we are happy to report that children are doing an excellent job of pouring, passing, and serving food and drinks all by themselves.

What do children learn when they sit down to eat:

• Cooperation and social skills - practicing patience, sharing and passing platters, taking turns and waiting, and using appropriate language and manners.
• Help to develop language skills by engaging in teacher and peer conversations - sharing the best and worst part of their day, discussing current events relevant to their age group, identifying different and recognized foods.
• Expands fine motor skills as children serve themselves, learn to hold flatware, and pour their own beverages.
• Learn mathematical skills, including spatial relationships and one-to-one correspondence - sorting and counting tableware and food items, setting the table, or placing the chairs.
• Deepens relationships and friendships in a relaxed atmosphere where children can focus on one another without outside distractions (particularly helpful for those children who might be “shy” in louder play settings.)

Events

Show & Tell is now listed in the Calendar portion of the website - click on the individual day to see what items your child needs to bring in.

April Monthly Activity Calendars and Lunch Menu are now posted online.

Teddy Bear Portraits are scheduled for Spring and Graduate portraits on May 10th and 11th.

Upcoming Opportunities at YCP

Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) - We have the opportunity to have our Center become a pick-up site for Owl's Nest Farm's CSA. If enough families sign-up with YCP, the farm will drop shares of fruits and vegetables every (or every other) week directly into your child's cubby to take home.

Community Supported Agriculture (or CSA) is a produce subscription program where eaters pay in advance and get a share of the produce grown on the farm throughout the season. Put another way, a CSA is a relationship between eaters, farmers and the land in which everyone shares the risks and rewards of farming. By directly supporting a local farm, your family will get lots of delicious, nutritious, and local vegetables in return. Owl's Nest Farm's CSA season is 22 weeks, from late May through late October. There are two types of shares offered:

• Full shares: pick up every week from late May to late October, for 22 shares total. $675 & Half shares: pick up every other week from late May to late October, for 11 shares total. $340

The farm aims to offer 8-10 items per week in the CSA share and to provide a wide variety of vegetables throughout the season. Shares at the beginning of the season are typically lighter than shares later in the summer. Each week, information about which vegetables are almost finished, which ones are at peak production, and what the farm thinks will be ready soon will be included. The farm is growing the following this 2016 season:

• Spring: Arugula, beets, broccoli raab, bunching onions, carrots, chard, collards, cabbage, garlic scapes and scallions, kale, lettuce, peas, radishes, spicy mesclun mix, spinach, strawberries, tat soi, turnips, herbs, and seedlings.

• Summer: Basil, beans, chard, chili peppers, cucumbers, eggplant, okra, onions, peppers, tomatoes, zucchini, and yellow squash.

• Fall: Remaining summer crops, plus broccoli raab, napa cabbage, carrots, chard, collards, kale, lettuce, potatoes, radishes, spicy mesclun mix, spinach, sweet potatoes, tat soi, turnips, and winter squash.

Please email us by April 11th (next Monday!) if your family would like to participate in this opportunity. We need to have a minimum of ten (10) families participating to have the produce shares delivered to YCP.

Welcome to March

Staff Changes - Please join us in welcoming Ms. Pavlina (Ms. Paula to the children) in the Flower Room. She will be joining Ms. Anyolina in helping your children learn potty, ABC's, and begin the transition to the Big Kids House this summer. Ms. Asmara has moved back to the Infant/Toddler Room and is thrilled to be helping the other Infant Room teachers through the end of the Summer. Ms. Suzy will become our Floating Teacher and will assist in all of the Little Kids classrooms.

Re-Registration - You will find Re-Registration forms in your child's Tote Bag by the end of this week.  If you would like to continue at YCP for the upcoming Academic year, please indicate on the form. All re-registration forms must be accompanied by the fee to guarantee your child's spot. Those who will be leaving us, must include a date as to your child's last day - we ask you to put down a specific day with the understanding that this might shift a day or two. It's more important to know if your child will be leaving before or after the Summer Session. Further information will be included on the form. Forms are due by April 1st and payment may be made via separate check or online.

Winter Clothes Donations - With the end of the season approaching, we are looking to replenish our stock of extra winter gear. These items are used when your child does not have the proper attire to go outside in the cold weather. As you go through your child's closets and look to give away those items that do not fit, we would appreciate the following:

• Winter Coats
• Fall/Light Coats
• Gloves & Mittens
• Winter Hats
• Pants
• Sweatshirts/Hoodies
• Long-Sleeve Shirts

Dramatic Play Donations - We are always looking for dress-up items for all classrooms to use in their Dramatic Play areas. Again, as you go through your children's closets and toy chests and look to give away items that no longer fit or are no longer used, please consider donating:

• Tutus
• Capes & Masks
• Hats
• Aprons & Vests
• Children's Tea Sets and Cooking Items
• No weapons, wands, or sharp objects

Please make sure all donated items are clean and in overall good condition - please give all donations to Ms. Zinat or Ms. Pashi

Scholastic Books - You may go online and order books directly through the Scholastic Website. For this month, all orders need to be submitted by Friday, March 11th. All school orders are processed on the 2nd Friday of the Month. Remember that all parent orders through Scholastic help our Center to purchase new books.

Easter Egg Roll - Please make sure to bring in three (3) hard-boiled eggs by Wednesday, March 23rd. Children will be decorating eggs on Thursday and the Egg Hunt will be on Friday, March 25th. Please note, that all Holidays celebrated are secular in nature (we do not observe the religious aspects of any marked Holidays.)

Events

Show & Tell is now listed in the Calendar portion of the website - click on the individual day to see what items your child needs to bring in.

March Monthly Activity Calendars and Lunch Menu are now posted online.

Updated Closing Policy

YCP Closing Procedures:

Please find the following YCP procedures for closings and delays. On the days when YCP has a delayed opening, Morning Snack will not be served. Please make sure your child has been fed before bringing them. During severe weather, we always appreciate early pick-ups, so that staff and families may travel safely home. 

To check YCP’s status during an emergency, please go to:

·      YCP Twitter Account (@yourchildsplace)

·      YCP Home Page, the live feed at the bottom of the page.

Weather-Related Closings/Delays:

YCP follows the Federal Government (OPM) for closing and late procedures based on weather. The Center will remain open during liberal leave policies. If you are uncertain about a potential delay during school hours, you may call us on the day in question for verification. 

After hours, you can also go to OPM Current Status for up to the minute alerts on the Federal Government's operating procedures.

Emails will NOT be sent for standard OPM weather closings and late procedures.

Emergency Closings during a Federal Holiday:

If there is an emergency closing on a Federal Holiday where YCP is open, all Closings/Late Procedures will be at the discretion of the Director. Decisions will always err on the side of safety for our staff and families traveling to and from school. A decision will be made by 5:30am on the day of. 

Parents WILL receive an email stating any closing/delays for these types of unexpected emergencies only.

Do not check the OPM site during Federal Holidays as the status will reflect Normal Operating Procedures and not display Emergency Closures on Holidays.

Other Emergency Closings:

During all other emergency closings, including but not limited to Terrorist Alerts, the Center will observe Fairfax County Public School Procedures.  Please ask to see a copy of our Emergency Preparedness Policies and Procedures at the front desk for further information.

An email WILL be sent if YCP closes for localized emergencies.

Welcome to February

Valentine's Day Party - Children will exchange cards and enjoy special holiday treats on Friday, February 12th at 3:30pm (Both Houses.) Please look for sign-up sheets if you would like to bring in food items for the parties. All Valentine's cards must be given to teachers no later than the morning of Thursday, February 11th. Please do not include any candy or chocolate with your cards. Teachers will place classroom lists in your child's cubby by the end of this week. Children in the Infant Room will not be participating in the party.

Updated Nap/Rest Policy- We believe all children need an opportunity to recharge during their days at YCP. We schedule a daily (2 Hour) Quiet Time where children may nap or rest. During this time, children will not be forced to sleep, nor woken up prematurely from their naps. We will never prevent a child from sleeping if they ask to sleep or exhibit drowsiness.

Infants up to 8 or 12 months have a flexible daily schedule based on their individual needs. They are allowed to sleep on-demand and all naps are recorded in their Daily Info sheets.

Young Toddlers (up to 18 months) are put down for nap every day, but may also sleep for additional periods, if needed.

Once your child has graduated out of the Infant Room, Licensing requirements mandate a designated Rest Period of up to one (1) hour and no more than two (2) hours every day. Your Child’s Place schedules a two-hour period for Rest/Nap every day.

During this time, children will be put down on their individual mats or cots, lights will be dimmed, and soothing music will be played.

• After thirty (30) minutes, if a child awakens on their own or is still awake, they will be given books or soft toys to play with on their mats. 
• If after an hour, they choose not to or are unable to sleep, they will be allowed to sit at a table for quiet activities until the rest of the class awakens.

Our Teacher Ratios do not allow us to have children opt out of naps/rest period.

Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease - We have had a few cases of this highly contagious and very common virus in the Infant, Flower, and Grashopper Rooms. In order to prevent further infections, if your child has been diagnosed, they must remain at home until the following criteria have been met:

• They are able to maintain a regular temperature for at least 24 hours.
• All blisters/sores have healed and are dry (with no puss or fluid leaking.)

Although symptoms may be minor, the disease is highly contagious. Please inform your Pediatrician that your child may have come into contact with the disease, as symptoms may be attributed to other viruses. Symptoms include:

• Exhaustion
• Sore Throat
• Fever between 101F – 103F
• Blisters in the mouth, hands, feet, or buttocks
• Pimple or rash-like appearance
• Loss of Appetite and Dehydration

In some cases a skin rash may appear before the blisters do. The blisters may break open and crust over. The sores and blisters usually go away in a week or so. In some cases there are no symptoms, or they are very mild. Parents may get the disease from their children and not even realize it. You and your child can get HFMD multiple times as it is caused by several different viruses.

Events

Show & Tell is now listed in the Calendar portion of the website - click on the individual day to see what items your child needs to bring in.

February Monthly Activity Calendars and Lunch Menu are now posted online.

We will be open on Monday, February 15th for President's Day.

Snow and Emergency Closings

For Weather/Snow Closings:

Your Child’s Place follows the Federal Government on all closing and late procedures based on weather.  The Center will remain open during liberal leave policies. We always appreciate early pick-ups during severe weather, so that our staff may travel safely home.  If you are uncertain about a potential delay during school hours, you may call us on the day in question for verification.  After hours, please check our Twitter Account (@yourchildsplace) or the live feed on the bottom of our Home Page. You may also check the OPM Current Status for up to the minute alerts on the Federal Government's operating procedures.

We will no longer be sending out emails if school is delayed or closed due to inclement weather.

For Emergency Closings:

During all other emergency closings, including but not limited to Terrorist Alerts, the Center will observe Fairfax County Public School Procedures.  Please ask to see a copy of our Emergency Preparedness Policies and Procedures at the front desk for further information.

Welcome to January

Winter Playground Policy - We include Free and Structured outdoor play every day and see this as a vital part of your child's schedule. If your child is not able to participate in outdoor play for whatever reason, we ask that you keep them at home. During periods of extreme cold, playground times may be shortened. Young Toddlers go out once every morning. Children ages 2 and older go out twice a day, once in the morning and once in the late afternoon. Children will remain inside for any active snow showers.

In order for your child to comfortably play outside, they will need the proper attire, to include:

• Sturdy shoes/boots and socks
• Hats
• Gloves/Mittens
• No Scarves
• IF there is snow on the ground, you may bring a snowsuit - We are only able to play in the snow if at least 5-8 children (depending on the classroom ) have proper cold-weather attire.

All playground visits are at the discretion of the Director and may be modified during extreme temperatures/weather.

Mandatory Inspections - The Fairfax County Office for Children conducts multiple site visits over the course of a year to make sure that we are maintaining regulations and standards.  Our most recent unannounced visit occurred on December 10th, 2015. The Inspector spent a total of 3 hours conducting a thorough inspection of facilities, records, and most importantly the staff's interaction and overall care of children. We are very pleased to report that there were no major violations.  A copy of the full report has been posted on Information Boards in both houses and we encourage parents to read the detailed report.

Teachers were also found to be in compliance with their Yearly Training requirements.  All Teachers are required to take a minimum of 16 hours of Early-Childhood Training every year. This training is specific to the age groups that they are teaching and cover a wide-range of topics including, but not limited to: promoting good behavior, problem-solving, strengthening early math/science and literacy skills, creating stress-free environments, outdoor play and transition activities.  Feel free to ask your child's teachers about some of their more recent trainings - our teachers are always excited to share some of the new and exciting strategies they have learned.  The annual training hours are separate from the CPR/First-Aid & Bloodborne Pathogen Training that we require of all of our teachers.

Events

Show & Tell is now listed in the Calendar portion of the website - click on the individual day to see what items your child needs to bring in.

January Monthly Activity Calendars and Lunch Menu are now posted online.

We will be open on Monday, January 18th for Martin Luther King Jr. Day.