The Learning Center (ŌTLCĶ) is a California non-profit corporation.  Its federal tax I.D. number is 94-2421579.  TLC is located at 459 Kingsley Ave in Palo Alto, through the courtesy of the First Presbyterian Church of Palo Alto.

Goals and Values

It is the goal of The Learning Center to provide a high-quality developmentally appropriate infant/toddler/preschool program for children between the ages of 6 months and kindergarten.  We value each child as an individual with his or her own unique needs and rate of development.  We seek to provide a warm, loving, positive learning environment for the child to explore and grow in.  We place a strong value on encouraging children to feel competent and good about themselves.  We encourage respect for the rights and safety of other children and staff, and believe it is important to set clear limits to ensure a safe and supportive environment for learning and growth.

 

The Learning Center values diversity and welcomes children without regard to sex, race, color, nationality, ethnic origin, parentsÕ sexual orientation, or religious affiliation.

Illness

You should keep your child home or arrange alternative care if your child is vomiting or has a fever, diarrhea, or a contagious disease other than a cold.  They  may not return to child care until 24 hours after all symptoms are cleared up.  Your child should not be at the Center if he/she is too sick to participate in the routine of a normal day, including outdoor play.  If your child be­comes ill while at the Center, we expect you to pick him/her up, or to arrange to have him/her picked up as soon as you are notified.

Medication

If your child is well enough to participate in the Center's activities, we will administer medication.  List your child's name, the name of the medication, the dosage, and the times to give the medication on the medicine list.  Medicine must be labeled with the name of medication, dosage, frequency, and childÕs name.  Prescription medicine must also have the doctor's name, date prescribed and expiration date on the label.

Medical and Emergency Forms

Each child must have on file at the Center a medical form signed by the child's physician, and emergency forms indicating where parents or other responsible persons can be reached in case of an emergency, as well as a medical release for emergency treatment.  The physician's form must be updated yearly.  Please be sure the Center has a phone number where at least one parent can be reached at all times.

Emergency Treatment

Should the director, assistant director, or other staff member appointed by the director decide that a child needs immediate medical attention, we will first attempt to reach the parents.  If neither parent can be reached, we will follow the instructions on the emergency sheet specify­ing a doctor or clinic, or take the child, based on the staff member's judgment, immediately to the Emergency Room of the Stanford Medical Center.  The parents are responsible for the cost of any emergency treatment.

Other Emergencies

If  it should become impractical or impossible to keep the Center open due to an emergency situation, we will first notify parents, if possible.  If we must close the Center and relocate the children, we will tell the Palo Alto Police where they have been taken, and will also post this information on the door to the Center.

Staff

We have one teacher for every three to four children in our Infant/Toddler program and two teachers for every 12-13 children in our two and a half to five-year-old group (our Middle and Big Kids program).  The staff is composed of a full-time director, an assistant director, and full- and part-time teachers with backgrounds in early childhood studies and psychology.

Parent-Staff Communication

We encourage you to get to know our staff and to communicate your questions, concerns or feedback to us at any time.  The director and assistant director are available for parent confer­ences at your request.  Parent conferences are usually scheduled in February, March and April.  Parent-staff meetings and family potlucks are held several times each year, providing an opportunity for communication of information and for parent-staff discussions.

Visiting

Parents are always welcome.  To avoid disrupting the children's schedule, we ask that you check with your childÕs teachers or the director or assistant director before you visit.

Meals/Food

TLC provides a morning snack, a hot lunch, and an afternoon snack for children eating table food.  Parents must provide bottles, which must be plastic and already filled with juice, formula or milk.  For infants not eating table food, the parent must also provide food.  We are not equipped to wash or sterilize bottles or to mix formula.  All food and bottles must be labeled with your child's name.

 

TLC provides nutritious, well-balanced meals and high-protein snacks.  Since we find that some children become overactive or cranky when they eat foods high in sugar, we do not serve food or snacks with sugar, and we recommend that you feed your child a breakfast low in sugar.  Please do not send your child to TLC with any gum, candy or sweet food.  If you wish to send a treat for snack time on your child's birthday, a holiday, or your child's last day at TLC, please consult the director for a list of healthy possibilities.

Clothing

We expect and encourage your child to be active.  Please send your child in clothing which he/she can get dirty.  Your child should have at TLC a change of clothes, including socks, as well as suitable outerwear for outside activities.  Please label clothes with your child's initials or name.  For the rainy season, send boots or rubbers or a change of shoes.  If your child comes home in clothing from the Center, please launder the clothes and return them as soon as you can.

Toilet Training

When your child is ready and willing, we will encourage him or her to use the toilet.

Toys

We prefer that your child leave all toys and possessions other than clothes at home.  It is the parents' responsibility to retrieve any toys or things that the child does bring to TLC.  We will make an effort to put your child's possessions in his/her bag or cubby, but we cannot be responsible for toys or other articles brought from home by your child.

Arrivals and Departures

When you bring your child, please:

1.     Fill in the daily sign-in log (place for time in and expected time to pick up).

2.     Indicate in writing if someone other than those already authorized will pick up your child.

3.     Tell one of the staff that your child has arrived.

 

When you come to pick up your child, please:

1.     Fill in the time on the daily sign-out log.

2.     Tell one of the staff that your child is now leaving.

Parking

The Learning Center is committed to keeping traffic in the neighborhood to a minimum.  We encourage families to bicycle, walk, carpool, or take the bus to the Center. Please park cars in the lots off Lincoln, Cowper, or Kingsley and not on the street.

Gates

When you come through the gates to our play yard, please be sure to close them behind you.  The children's safety and welfare depend upon your cooperation and careful attention.

Absences

Please notify the Center if your child will be absent.   Please notify us as early as possible.  The monthly fee is due when your child is absent, regard­less of the reason for the absence.

Hours and Holidays

The Learning Center is open from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. every weekday except holidays and Staff In-service training days.

 

Enrollment Deposits

 

An enrollment deposit of one monthÕs tuition, which will apply to the first month of the childÕs enrollment at  TLC is required.  This deposit is non-refundable.  In addition,  a deposit of the last months fees are due within a month of  accepting  a TLC opening.  This deposit is non-refundable. unless written notice is received one month in advance for withdrawal in the months October through May or by May 1st for withdrawal June through September.  A one time fee of $250 for the TLC Improvement Fund is due on your childÕs first day.

Fees

The following are the monthly and other fees, effective April 2008 through March 2009:

 


Full Days per Week

Infant-Toddlers Monthly Fees

Middle and Big Kids Monthly Fees

 


Half Days per Week

Infant-Toddlers AMÕs

Infant-Toddlers PMÕs

Middle and Big Kids

AMÕs

Middle and Big Kids

PMÕs

5

$2207

$1746

 

5

$1408

$1325

$1097

$1014

4

$2016

$1540

 

4

$1126

$1060

$878

$811

3

$1512

$1155

 

3

$845

$795

$658

$609

2

$1008

$770

 

2

$563

$530

$439

$406

1

$504

$385

 

1

$282

$275

$219

$203

Extra Full Day

$119

$92

 

Extra Half Day

$66

$64

$53

$50

 

The rates include morning and afternoon snack, hot lunch, and diapers.  Fees are due on the first of each month and will be considered late after the 5th of the month.  A late fee of $10 will be charged if fees are not paid by the 5th.  Extra full or half days are subject to availability and agreement by TLC.  The monthly fee is due whether or not your child is absent due to sickness, vacation, or holidays.  Failure to pay fees, or repeated late payment of fees, will result in termi­nation of care for your child.

 

The Learning Center closes for child care at 5:30 p.m.  You must be at TLC and be responsible for your child at 5:30 p.m.  We have a 10-minute grace period to allow for unexpected problems, to be used only  in emergencies.  After 5:40 p.m. you will be charged a $15 late fee for the first 20-minute period or fraction thereof and $1/minute after 6 pm. Repeated failure to pick up your child by 5:30 p.m. will result in termination of care for your child.

 

Parent participation is required in two four hour Saturday workdays. There is a wide range of workday tasks, from those requiring no special skills all the way up to experienced contractor.  Failure to complete 4 hours work will result in a $75 penalty fee per workday. This fee offsets the additional expense of hiring someone to complete unfinished tasks, thereby allowing all TLC families to contribute to the maintenance and upkeep of TLC.

Notice of Withdrawal

A one month notice is required to withdraw your child from TLC during the months from October through May.  Notice is required by May 1st if you withdraw your child from TLC during the months from June through September, since parents looking for child care slots must often decide by May for placement in summer or fall slots.

Emergency Phone Numbers

The Learning Center............................................. (650) 325-6683

Palo Alto Police Department.......................... (650) 329-2406