Choosing your childcare provider is a difficult decision to make.  Thank you for entrusting us with the care of your children.  We will make every effort to provide the best possible experience for your family.  This handbook is offered to orient you to the policies and practices at Here Wee Grow Child Development Center.  Please contact our Center Director if any questions remain. 

Center Mission/Philosophy

Our philosophy at Here Wee Grow Child Development Center is to provide quality care for your child in a positive, educational environment.  This includes helping children learn lessons that will last throughout their lives.  Lessons like cooperation, sharing, self-confidence, respect for others, respect for nature and science, and joy.  We realize that each child is unique and has different needs and interests and our goal is to provide a developmentally appropriate learning environment that best meets the needs of each individual child. Here Wee Grow Child Development Center is licensed by the state of Nebraska and is inspected regularly to ensure that we meet health, safety and other state requirements.  Each member of our staff will meet the qualifications set by state laws and complete the recommended training hours.  Each member of our staff is required to be CPR certified, First Aid Certified, and Choking Certified with many working on or having completed their CDA (Child Development Associate Certificate). We’ve designed programs that feature developmentally appropriate and fun activities where children will develop socially, emotionally, intellectually and physically.  Children will learn by doing, making experiences both fun and educational. 

ELIGIBILITY

We offer care for children 6 weeks through thirteen years.  Children will not be excluded on the basis of race, gender, or religious background. 

DAYS AND HOURS OF OPERATION

Open 6 AM to 6 PM

Monday through FridayChildcare schedules need to be turned in by the 25th of the prior month.   The following holidays are the days we are officially closed.  If a holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, it may be observed on a Friday or Monday.  A notice of the closure will be posted on the Parent Board at lease one week in advance. New Year’s DayMemorial DayJuly 4thLabor DayThanksgiving DayChristmas Day We reserve the right to close early on Good Friday and Christmas Eve and to be closed the day after Thanksgiving.  All non-official closing will be posted at the center at least one week in advance. 

PRE-ENROLLMENT

In order to better service the needs of the parents and children, Here Wee Grow Child Development Center has a pre-enrollment process.   The application forms include information on who is allowed to pick up your child, information on your child’s immunizations, and the form must be signed by all legal guardians or parents of the child.  The immunization records must be kept up to date and are required within 30 days of enrollment; this information is required by the state.  If you have a religion that prohibits immunization, then a clergy member must sign the form. The center will keep a file on all children.  The file will include enrollment information, permission slips, special considerations or health issues the center needs to be aware of (i.e. deaf in the left ear, allergic to milk, etc.) and also staff member’s observation of the child.  This file will be open to parents of the child, childcare staff members, the Assistant Director, and the Director. 

FULL TIME/PART TIME ENROLLMENT

Due to increasing enrollment, Here Wee Grow may be in a position where the facility will reach full capacity.  When this situation occurs we will notify any parents whose children attend on a part time basis.  Part time enrollment is defined as any child who attends the facility less then 32 hours a week.  Part time enrollment will be given first option to move to a full time position.  If a parent chooses not to take full time enrollment, then Here Wee Grow will allow 2 weeks of care until other childcare is found.  The parents will need to notify the Director with their intentions within 2 business days. 

WAITING LIST

All parents that are interested in having their children attend Here Wee Grow must go through the pre-enrollment process as stated above.  If there is not an immediate position open, you must make arrangements with the Director to be put on a Waiting List and pay a small deposit of $50.00 to hold your spot.  This deposit is refundable on your first bill from the Center.  It is the parent’s responsibility to notify the Center if your contact information has changed prior to your child’s start date.  If you have not heard from the Director at least two weeks prior to your expected start date, please call the Director to make sure that your start date will remain the same.  We ask your patience with our waiting list as most often infants are the main children on the waiting list and we do not want to move a child to another room until they are developmentally ready.  We estimate based on the average child and their abilities, but may sometimes estimate too early, so it is best to leave a little give and take in the start date for infants. The Director will contact the parents within 3 business days when a position is available for your children to attend.  Children are accepted into the Center with one of the following options:  Full-Day rates will apply if a child attends 5 or more hours per day.Half-Day rates will apply if a child attends less than 5 hours per day. 

STAFF/RATIOS

Creating a healthy and safe environment for children to grow and discover relies primarily upon the childcare provider.  We employ staff skilled in working with young children and encourage continuing education to update skills and ideas.  We also meet and/or exceed licensing standards for child to staff ratios at all times.  The primary teachers for your child’s age group will work with you regarding any concerns you have about your child or the center.  Our staff are required to be CPR certified, First Aid Certified, and Choking Certified with many working on or having completed their CDA (Child Development Associate Certificate).  Additional training is also required throughout the year.  The following graph explains what the current Child Care Center Standards are within the State of Nebraska for staff-child ratios. 

Age Range of Children
Number of Staff
Number of Children

6 weeks to 18 months
1
4

18 months to 3 years
1
6

3 years
1
10

4 and 5 years
1
12

Kindergarten and up
1
15

 The Rolie Polie Olie Room and the Blues Clues Rooms must maintain ratios at all times.  All of the other rooms are counted by overall staff involved directly with the children.