Classroom Policies

Our nutrition program provides a nutritious breakfast, lunch and a healthy snack each day. Our menus are filled with foods kids love and satisfy all applicable federal and state guidelines. All of our menus will be posted in advance, so if you have a picky eater, you may want to bring outside food into the Center. If your child is an infant or toddler who is not ready for table food, we ask you to supply us with the appropriate food. Please let us know of any food allergies or special needs your child may have. We will gladly work with you to accommodate your child’s needs.

Field trips are wonderful additions to your child’s education and provide your child with real-world learning experiences. Field trips will include nearby parks, museums and local fire stations. Parental permission is required for field trip participation, and some field trips may require an additional fee.

Your child will be playing with fun, educational toys at Building Blocks every day. Therefore, to avoid loss or breakage, we ask you to keep your child’s toys or special personal items at home. For the occasional Show and Tell and sharing times, your child may bring in an item as long as it is safe and labeled with his or her name. If your child loses anything, contact your Center Director immediately. We’ll be glad to look, but we cannot be held responsible for any lost or damaged items.

Your child should wear comfortable, washable clothes, as well as tennis shoes or other closed-toe shoes to the Center, because a full day at Building Blocks can include such activities as painting, dancing, eating, exercising and playing, both indoors and outdoors. To avoid losing a favorite sweater or coat, label all clothing that might be taken off or changed during the day, including bathing suits, towels and hats. We cannot be held responsible for lost or damaged clothing.

We’d love to help celebrate your child’s birthday. We welcome any special treat you would like to provide, but please send enough treats for every child in your child’s classroom. Please coordinate your plans with your child’s teacher.

Learning self-control is just a normal part of growing up, and our policy is never to embarrass or ridicule a child when he or she misbehaves. Corporal or physical punishment is never allowed at Building Blocks. Instead, we use positive strategies that strengthen the self-esteem of children. Most situations can be handled by redirecting a child to another, more appropriate activity.

Occasionally, when necessary, we use a procedure called “time out.” It gives children time to think about their actions before returning to a group activity. It’s a positive form of discipline that teaches appropriate behavior while allowing a child to make the decision to improve his or her behavior. “Time out” periods may last no longer than one minute for each year of your child’s age.

Building Blocks provides a quiet, comfortable place for school-age children to do their homework. We consider completing homework an important issue for you and your child, and our teachers are available to help.

Parents can best support their child’s learning by reading with their child each day, starting with infants and toddlers. In fact, reading to your child is the single most important thing you can do to foster literacy development.

We consider our outdoor facilities an extension of the classroom. Our outdoor activities include outdoor spaces and equipment designed for active play and exploration and to provide your child with exercise, fresh air and learning activities. We do not engage in any on-site water activities at our Centers.

After hours of stimulating learning time and fun activities, your child needs rest. The rest period for preschoolers ranges from 1 ½ to 2 hours per day. We will provide a cot; however, your child will need to bring a favorite blanket, pillow or sleep toy from home. Please clearly label all personal items and take them home and wash them every week.