Welcome to August!

Teachers ask that you bring in a plain white t-shirt for your child by Monday, August 14th. Children and teachers will tie-dye and decorate shirts for a special "Summer YCP 2017" project (Does not apply to Infant or Dragonfly Room.)

Fall Classroom Assignments - Emails to current students will be sent on Friday, August 18th with your child's Fall Classroom Assignment and Welcome Letter. 2017/2018 School Calendar and new Tuition Rates will be sent at that time ( new Tuition and Lunch Rates will go into effect on Tuesday, September 5th.)

Events

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

In-House Field Trips, where we bring in performers and activities on Thursday or Friday of every week. 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:

Thursday, August 3rd - Squeals on Wheels presents "Fur, Feathers, and Scales + Teacup Pig"

Friday, August 11th - Groovy Nate Musical Performance

Friday, August 18th - End of Year Tie Dye & Ice Cream Party

Friday, August 25th - Little Einstein's presents "Air Zoup: Rockers & Air"

We will be closed Monday, September 4th for Labor Day.

Back to School Night will be scheduled for:

• Wednesday, September 13th for Bumble Bee, Ladybug, and Grasshopper Rooms
• Wednesday, September 20th for Infant, Dragonfly, Froggy, and Flower Rooms

Welcome to May!

Teacher Appreciation Week (May 8th - 12th) 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 - Amy's Mom (Grasshopper) has kindly offered to coordinate this Lunch. You should have a flyer in your child's cubby with all of the information. 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.

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 12th. The Inspector spent a total of 2.5 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 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.

Immunization Records - Please make sure that your child's medical records are up to date - most Immunizations occur at the 6-, 12-, 15-, 18-month and 4-year Well Visits. If you have an appointment scheduled for one of these ages, please ask the Front Desk for your Medical "School Entrance" form to take with you OR ask the Pediatrician's office to print out a copy of your child's Immunization History.

Potomac Vegetable Farm CSA - For those who expressed interest, please go to the farm's website here to set up your Share by THIS Friday, May 5th. For delivery location, click on Your Child's Place. Registration is open to all YCP families, so there is still time for additional families to join.

Supplies Needed by this Friday, May 5th

• Dragonfly Class needs a photo of your Child.
• Froggy Class needs a photo of Mommy & Child.
• Flower Class needs a photo of Mommy & Child.
• Ladybug Class needs a photo of your child (Show & Tell for May 9th is a photo of Mommy and Child - Ms. Alina would like to keep that photo for a Mother's Day project, please indicate on the back of the photo if you want the photo returned earlier.)

Events

Teddy Bear Portraits are scheduled for Spring and Graduate portraits on May 23rd (Infant, Dragonfly, Froggy, and Flower rooms and Siblings) and May 24th (Bumble Bee, Ladybug, Grasshopper.) Family portraits may be scheduled with advance notice. Viewings of the completed portraits will be the same day from 4-6pm in the Dragonfly Room.

We will be closed on Monday, May 29th for Memorial Day.

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 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 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 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 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.

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.

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.

Welcome to December!

Ident-a-Kid will be coming to YCP this Friday, December 4th at 9:30am. If you are interested, please fill out and return forms (placed in your child's cubby) by Friday.  These identification cards contain your child's photo, fingerprints, and description. For more information, please visit Ident-A-Kid.

Party & Play for the Bumble Bee/Ladybug/Grasshopper Rooms will be on Friday, December 18th 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. 

Party for the Froggy/Flower Rooms will be on Monday, December 21st. 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 Friday, December 25th through Friday, January 1st.  School will open on Monday, January 4th. 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 Ms. Pashi 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.

Scholastic Book Orders - If you are interested in placing an order online, you may:

• Go to Scholastic and enter the YCP Activation code: MTTGT.
• Shop from the carefully curated selection of books and pay for your order.
• Books will be sent to YCP, where they will be placed in your child’s cubby 4-10 days from the time of ordering. Remember, every parent order allows YCP to purchase more books for our classrooms.

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

Winter Attire - please make sure your child has appropriate cold weather clothes to include:

• Warm coat that fits
• Gloves or mittens
• Hat
• Warm shoes and socks
• Please NO scarves
• Change out extra clothes in cubbies to reflect the colder temperatures

Welcome to November!

Back to School Night - Please note that our Back to School Nights differ from the dates on the Holiday Calendar and are as follows

• Bumble Bee, Ladybug, and Grasshopper Rooms are scheduled for Wednesday, November 4th from 6-7pm. 
• Infants, Froggy, and Flower Rooms are scheduled for Thursday, November 5th from 6-7pm.

Please RSVP for childcare ASAP by emailing info@yourchildsplaceva.com - Childcare for all children (except infants) will be available for both nights for a fee of $18/per child which will include dinner. We will not be able to offer Infant Care, but will allow infants to attend (they must stay in the care of a parent at all times.)

Teddy Bear Portraits -  are scheduled for November 12th and 13th from 9am - 12pm. November 12th for Little Kids (Infants, Froggy, Flower) and Sibling Pictures. November 13th for Big Kids (Bumble Bee, Ladybug, Grasshopper.) Parents are welcome to join on either day, please let us know ahead of time if you are interested in Family Portraits. Review with option to Purchase will be on Friday, November 13th from 3-6pm.

Parent Teacher Conferences
Fall Evaluations/Conferences will be scheduledfor Monday, November 9th - Friday, November 20th. Conferences will be scheduled in the afternoon hours from 1-3pm in 15-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.

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.

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

We will be open on Wednesday, November 11th for Veteran's Day.

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

Welcome to October!

We hope everyone has had a chance to look around the website. Please continue letting us know what features you find useful and which you have trouble with. For those using the Online Form Submission, please bear with us as we work out a few kinks. Thank you to those who have chosen to use the Online Payment System. If you have not dropped your tuition check by Monday, please make your payment online (so as not to be subjected to late fees.)

If your child is in the Froggy, Flower, Bumble Bee, Ladybug, or Grasshopper Classrooms, please bring in a small pumpkin by Monday, October 26th for your child to decorate.

For all children in the Infant Room who use bottles, please remember to follow these procedures:

• Label all bottles with your child's name and the current day.
• Prepare 2 bottles (formula or breast milk) and place in the refrigerator every morning.
• Hand remaining labeled bottles to your child's teachers.
• Please check your child's bag to make sure all needed items are removed.

The Infant Room is looking for donations of the following gently used/good condition items:

• Boppies
• Small Board Books
• Exersaucers

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.

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

We will be open on Monday, October 12th for Columbus Day (per our Holiday Vacation Policy.)

Halloween Parties will be on Friday, October 30th at 10am (little kids) and 3pm (big kids.) Please bring your child's costume in a separate labeled bag the morning of the 30th (no weapons or hard plastic props.) Children will celebrate with Spooky Games, Halloween Parade, and Refreshments - let us know if you would like party pictures emailed to you as adults are not allowed to attend the festivities. Please look for Snack Sign-Up sheets in the coming weeks.