Winter at YCP (2022)

Holiday Parties - Children will celebrate with special snacks and holiday activities on Friday, December 16th. We will not have a kids gift exchange (or Santa visit) this year. Parties are for students only. Food Sign-Up Sheets will be with each Greeting Teacher in the morning (no online links). Please sign up to bring any festive foods for your children and their friends to enjoy - no candy, juice, or nuts.

Holiday Recital for Bumble Bees, Ladybugs, Grasshoppers - This year we are happy to welcome parents INSIDE Your Child's Place for our annual Holiday Recital. Please join us at 10am on Friday, December 16th (performance runs about 30 minutes.) Feel free to bring siblings, grandparents, others - we ask that every guest wear a mask while indoors.

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

Winter Break - We will be closed beginning Monday, December 26th through Friday, December 30th. School will open on Monday January 2nd. 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. You may pay via check before break, or Online or through Zelle.

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 sending in materials to share with your child’s classroom. Your Child’s Place respects and honors each individual’s preference in respect to religion.

Welcome to January!

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 Wednesday, December 18th. The Inspector spent a total of 2 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 ZERO violations to be found and the Inspector was pleased with the activities and interaction he witnessed from the teachers and 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.

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.

Weather-Related Closings & Delays:

YCP follows the Federal Government (OPM) for Closings and Late-Arrival procedures based on Weather and Emergencies. Emails WILL be sent for ALL weather related events.

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.

Emergency Closings during a Federal Holiday:

An Independent Decision will be made for any Emergency Closings during a Federal Holiday where YCP is open - this decision will be made no later than 5:30am on the day of. 

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

Weather-Related Early Dismissals:

In the event of Unscheduled Leave, Unscheduled Telework, Liberal Leave, or Early Dismissals the Center will make an Independent Decision guided by the status of OPM and FCPS (Fairfax County Schools) and local Weather Reports. All Early Dismissals will be given with as much advance notice as possible as we understand this to be an inconvenience.

Decisions will always err on the side of safety for our staff and families traveling to and from school. The Center is also mindful of parent’s schedules and will try to remain open for the convenience of our working parents as much as possible - this is the reason we choose NOT to follow FCPS for all closings/delays/dismissals.

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.

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.

REMINDER: Closings, Delays, and Early Dismissals will be at the discretion of the Director.

Events

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

We will be OPEN Monday, January 20th (MLK 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.