We Answer Your Frequently Ask Questions Here

At ASK Academy Children’s Learning Center, our team has on-going professional development trainings and certifications in early childhood education demonstrable experience working with children of various age groups. Not only is our team CPR & First-Aid trained and certified, we go through fingerprinting and background checks to ensure the safety and well-being of the children under our care.

Behavioral issues are bound to happen with any child at one time or another. We understand behavior as communication, and we are committed to lovingly redirect any potentially harmful behavior into more positive channels and problem solving skills. We have a ZERO-TOLERANCE policy for any form of harm inflicted on children (any physical harm is loosely defined as: pushing, poking, biting, scratching, spitting, pulling, twisting, punching, and/or hitting). Open communication with parents is key to addressing any behavior concerns that may arise.

We value the safety and comfort we provide every child in our care. We expect all children to treat themselves and others with respect, value, and dignity.

All our little ones are important to us. Although misbehavior is expected, parents and guardians can rest assured that we will never use:

·         Physical Punishment

·         Threats (verbal, emotional, psychological, physical, non-verbal)

·         Deprive child of food, water, and/or other basic needs

·         Humiliation and/or isolation, which includes, but is not limited to time-outs/corners  

In response to misbehavior, we will:

·         Redirect

·         Reiterate clear rules and boundaries\

·         Provide consistency

·         Speak calmly

·         Give clear direction and choices

We encourage parents of enrolled children to feel free to call, message through Brightwheel, e-mail, or visit during business hours only. These times are between 7am and 6pm. As always, we encourage communication within the guidelines of the parent code of conduct between parents and childcare specialists. You may contact staff only through Brightwheel about drop-offs/pick-ups, checking in on your child throughout the day, absences, illnesses, and/or emergencies. Please do not use this platform to discuss complex issues/concerns regarding your child. If there is a pressing concern, please request a meeting and we will schedule a parent-conference. It’s important to us that your concerns or questions are answered as best as possible. Find more information in our Parent Handbook under Communication.

Our daily routine includes a mix of structured activities and unstructured activities which include but are not limited to, free play, outdoor time, meals, and nap/rest periods. We have intentionally created a balanced schedule that promotes learning, socialization, and physical activity while also holding space and uplifting individual interests and needs. Please find an example of our schedule.

Our goal is to keep all our children as safe and healthy as possible. If you are unsure about whether or not to bring your child to the center, we suggest the following guidelines:

Keep your child home if:

·         He/she has flu-like symptoms

·         He/she has rash or spots on hands, mouth, body, feet, legs, or face

·         He/she has a fever or has had a fever during the past 24 hours

·         He/she has diarrhea or has had diarrhea during the past 24 hours

·         He/she has a cold that is less than four days old

·         He/she has a heavy nasal discharge or eye discharge including excessive watery eyes

·         He/she is fussy, cranky, and generally not him/herself

·         He/she is extremely tired/fatigued

·         He/she has symptoms of possible communicable disease (such as fever, rash, or blisters).

·         He/she has head lice, ticks, bedbugs, fleas, etc.  

Your child may come to the center if:

·         His/her cold is over for at least 72 hours, but is left with minor clear nasal drip

·         He/she has been exposed to a communicable disease, but the incubation period has passed and there is no indication of fever without medication.

·         He/she has no symptoms and you have a clearance note from your doctor stating he/she is no longer contagious.

·         He/she is taking antibiotics and you have a note from your doctor stating he/she is no longer contagious.  

If your child is sent home with a possible communicable illness, you will be required to provide a note from a doctor stating the child is no longer contagious in order to return to the childcare facility.

In case of emergencies, we follow a detailed safety plan that includes contacting parents, seeking medical help if needed, and ensuring the well-being of all children. We are trained in proper usage of universal precautions, including washing hands, wearing gloves, and disposal or cleaning of contaminated objects. Parents will be required to train staff on usage and maintenance of equipment. At least one trained staff person will be available on site and on field trips at all times the child is in care. Records will be maintained in the Emergency Binders in a separate section labeled Incidental Medical Services. This binder, along with medications goes on all field trips, drills, and emergencies.

To enroll a child in our center, parents need to do the following:

1.      Schedule a visit to the center by contacting our team via phone or email.

2.      Meet with the Director and/or Team.

3.      Discuss your childcare needs and the center's policies and procedures.

4.      If there is vacancy and parents are interested, complete enrollment forms & provide necessary medical and emergency contact information.

5.      Pay any required fees or deposits.

Enrollment is done on a first-come, first-serve basis. A dated waiting list is maintained if space is not available. As vacancies occur, the next child of the age bracket is taken from the waiting list.

·         Priority enrollment is given to siblings with a discount of 15% on one sibling’s monthly tuition.

·         Parents must contract for specific days and times of care and adhere to those.

·         Parents may request an extra day in their child’s schedule or an adjustment in their childcare service hours at least 2 weeks in advance, pending space and staff availability, and at the discretion of the director. ·         Parents wishing to change the days or times their child attends must speak with the Director at least 2 weeks in advance to fill out an Attendance Revision Form, pending space availability.

·         Schedules of 2, 3, 4, and 5 consecutive days per week are available on a monthly contracted schedule.

We are committed to improving the quality of life for children in our community. Our meals and facility are swine-free & peanut-free. We serve kosher and halal foods. We do not permit food from outside to ensure the health and safety of children in our facility, food sensitivities, and allergies. To this end, we are trained and certified in nutrition education, harvest of the month, and food safety. We will offer a nutritious breakfast, AM snack, lunch, PM snack, and early supper/dinner (early supper/dinner: if needed) each day. All meals and snacks are carefully planned with the developmental needs of Infants, Toddlers, and school-age children in mind. ASK Academy Family & Education’s Children’s Learning Center follows the CACFP (California Adult and Child Food Program) guidelines for meal components and serving sizes. Our goal is to introduce healthy eating and active living by reducing or eliminating overly sugared and processed foods and beverages in our center. Fresh water is readily available at all times and also served during meal and snack times. If your child requires a specific nutrition plan from home, please coordinate with our Director.

We provide a range of activities and researched-based curriculum designed to promote children's learning and development. These may include age-appropriate educational activities, arts and crafts, outdoor play, music and movement, storytelling, and more. We also follow a structured curriculum that focuses on early childhood development principles and foundations. Curriculum for young children means teaching in a way that supports them in building concepts and skills in an integrated way as they gather information, experiment with it, and confront problems within the natural course of play and interaction with others (www.cde.ca.gov).