Program Rules & Policies

Enrollment Confirmation

Please note that our program operates year-round, with a new program year officially starting each fall. Enrollment is on a monthly basis, subject to availability. All children, regardless of their enrollment date, must adhere to any policy updates as they occur.

Enrollment contracts automatically renew each month unless parents provide sufficient notice to terminate. If there are any changes to policies or pricing, a new contract will need to be signed.

In the event of pricing changes, the Holistic Seedlings team will provide new rates with at least three months’ notice.

Enrollment Fee

If an enrollment fee is required, I/We agree to pay this non-refundable fee upon enrollment to secure our child’s placement in the program.

Please note that a minimum of 30 days notice is required before ending participation in the program. If participation is canceled without the required 30 days’ notice, tuition for the remaining 30 days must still be paid, regardless of whether the child is receiving care during that period.

Tuition

Private Payment

Monthly tuition is due on the 1st of each month. A late fee of $25.00 per day, per child, will be added for each additional day that payment is late until it is paid in full. Tuition must be paid each month without deductions for absences, holidays, vacations (whether provider or family), illness, or closures due to inclement weather, power outages, or other circumstances beyond our control. Tuition is required to hold your child’s space in the program, regardless of their attendance.

Accepted payment methods include check, cash, or Venmo.

If your child’s start date does not occur on the first of the month, the first month’s tuition will be prorated accordingly. Similarly, if your child’s last day does not occur on the last day of the month, the final month’s tuition will be prorated accordingly.

Subsidy Payments

If your child’s enrollment is supported by subsidy payments from a local resource and referral agency, tuition will be managed according to the guidelines set by that agency. We ask that you complete all necessary paperwork promptly to facilitate this process.

If you agree to supplement the subsidy with private payments, these will be applied as specified in the “Private Payments” section.

Withdrawal

If you decide to withdraw your child from the program, please provide written notice via email to massivaouali@gmail.com at least 30 days prior to withdrawal.

Your official last day will be determined based on the withdrawal policy described above, and tuition will be due for the duration of that notice period. Tuition will be prorated accordingly to reflect your child’s official last day.

If you paid a deposit at enrollment (typically equivalent to one month of tuition, separate from an enrollment fee), this deposit will be applied to your last month of tuition provided that notice was given before charges for the last month. Any remaining portion of your deposit not applied to tuition will be refunded to the card on file.

In the event that Holistic Seedlings Wonderschool needs to unenroll a child, we will also follow the 30-day withdrawal policy as outlined above. In rare instances of immediate unenrollment due to significant health or safety concerns, any prepaid tuition for that month and your deposit will be refunded.

Schedule Changes

To decrease your child’s schedule, we require 30 days’ written notice. This allows us adequate time to arrange for any necessary adjustments and find a replacement for the days being dropped.

To increase your child’s schedule, written notice is required. Approval will be based on space availability within our program.

Meals and Snacks

If your child has specific dietary needs or allergies, please inform us as soon as possible. While we strive to accommodate all dietary requirements, you may need to provide your own food if it differs from our planned menu and offerings.

Monthly tuition covers two snacks per day and lunch.

Program Schedule

Holistic Seedlings operates from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Drop-off: Please arrive within the first 30 minutes of your child’s scheduled start time for the day.
Pickup: Please arrive within the last 30 minutes of your child’s scheduled end time for the day.

A parent, guardian, or approved caregiver must sign in and sign out their child at drop-off and pickup times. Children will only be released to authorized persons listed on the emergency contact sheet, which can be updated by parents in writing at any time. If the staff is unfamiliar with the person picking up the child, identification will be requested.

Arrival Time

Please make every effort to arrive at the designated drop-off time each day. If you anticipate arriving later than the specified drop-off window mentioned above, kindly inform our staff in advance.

Late Pickup Fee

I/We understand that there is a 5-minute grace period for pickup after my/our child’s scheduled daily pickup time. Each minute beyond this grace period will incur a charge of $1.00 per minute.

Regularity in Schedule

It is crucial for children to arrive and depart from the program at their regularly scheduled times. Consistency provides young children with the security of knowing they will be picked up at their expected time.
If you need to change your pickup time (e.g., picking your child up earlier than usual), please notify one of the Staff in advance.

Parking

Please avoid parking in front of the apartment complex driveway as it obstructs other vehicles from exiting. Ensure that no driveways are blocked during drop-off and pickup times. Blocking neighbors’ driveways may result in fines or towing.

Additionally, we kindly ask you to be considerate of our neighbors when parking to maintain positive relationships with them.

Signing In and Signing Out

A signature is required at the beginning and end of each day, indicating the time of arrival and departure. This can be completed either through an electronic application or on paper.

In case of an emergency, staff will refer to the sign-in sheets to take attendance. Children will only be released to authorized individuals listed on the emergency contact sheet, which can be updated by parents in writing at any time. If the staff is unfamiliar with the person picking up the child, identification will be requested.

Absence

Please inform a staff member if your child will be absent or if they will arrive 30 minutes or more after their normal arrival time.

If your child is absent due to illness, especially if it is contagious, please notify our staff. This allows us to alert other families to watch for symptoms in their children. We maintain full confidentiality of the child’s identity in accordance with our policies and State regulations.

Program Year

You can view our complete calendar on our program website. Any changes to our calendar will be communicated to you via email.

Acknowledgment of Placement in the Holistic Seedlings Program

Holistic Seedlings reserves the right to assess the appropriateness of your child’s placement in our program to ensure their needs and those of other children are met. If the Director determines that our program cannot adequately meet these needs, enrollment may be terminated. Any deposits or fees paid are non-refundable in such cases.

Additionally, Holistic Seedlings retains the right to terminate your child’s enrollment due to non-compliance with program policies, rules, and regulations. Persistent violations of program policies will result in immediate removal from the program.

Holistic Seedlings also reserves the right to modify any conditions of this agreement with 60 days written notice to parents or guardians.

Health & Safety

Toileting

At Holistic Seedlings, children do not need to be potty trained upon enrollment. We recognize that using the toilet is a developmental milestone, and we respect each child’s individual pace in this learning process. Children are encouraged to use the potty multiple times throughout the day.

When you believe your child is ready to start potty training, please inform us. While we do not provide direct potty training, we fully support the process you are undertaking. A collaborative approach ensures a smoother experience for everyone involved.

Diapering

If your child is in diapers, please ensure the program is supplied with the following items, labeled with your child’s name:

• A package of diapers (please keep stocked)
• Diaper wipes
• Diaper cream

Allergy Prevention

Families are responsible for informing the program of any food or environmental allergies their children may have. Parents/guardians of children diagnosed with allergies or asthma must provide the program with an individualized health care plan. This plan should be signed by the child’s physician and include details about symptoms, reactions, treatments, care procedures, and necessary medications.

If your child requires a nebulizer, please inform us so we can provide you with an additional form to fill out.

Despite our diligent efforts, it is impossible to eliminate all risks for children with food allergies. In some cases, allergens are so severe that even proximity to the allergen can trigger a reaction. Additionally, it is challenging to prevent children from sharing food or for allergens to be inadvertently brought into the program by family members or children, despite our educational efforts to raise awareness.

Ultimately, parents/guardians must assess whether group care is suitable for their child with allergies, considering these inherent risks that cannot be entirely eliminated.

Illness

Children need to be kept home when they have any of the following symptoms: fever, diarrhea, vomiting, conjunctivitis (pink eye) or discharge from eyes, severe coughing, skin rash of unknown diagnosis, difficult or rapid breathing, or nits on hair from head lice. If a symptom of an illness manifests while a child is at the program, the parent or guardian will be contacted immediately and the child will be cared for away from other children while waiting to be picked up by parent/guardian.

Diarrhea: After the second loose stool, the child must stay home until diarrhea resolves and normal stools return home. Returning after diarrhea is provisional; another bout requires immediate pickup.

Fever: A child with an ear temperature of 100.6 degrees Fahrenheit or higher will be sent home. They can return when fever-free for 24 hours after being sent home.

Vomiting

Exclusion for vomiting is decided by the incident. Two or more episodes will be cause for exclusion. A first vomiting episode may cause exclusion if the teacher determines that the situation for the child is extreme or debilitating.

Eye Discharge

Eyes must be free of mucus or running substances. Children are asked to be kept home for 24 hours after beginning medication. Clogged tear gland conditions must have a written physician’s note.

Skin Rash

If a child has a rash of any kind, the child will be sent home until the rash is gone or until a physician’s note has been received stating that the rash is not contagious. A physician’s certificate of good health is required to return.

Medications

Upon enrolling your child in this program, you will choose to either permit or deny application of topical ointments such as sunscreen. Please note that we will only use topical ointments for preventative purposes; we will not administer them as treatment for a medical issue.

Our program does NOT administer over-the-counter or prescription medications at this time.

We freely use bandages (i.e. Bandaids) and may use antibacterial soap.

Chronic Medical Conditions

If your child has a chronic medical condition, that needs “as needed” treatment (e.g. asthma, eczema, seizures due to high fever), we need physician instructions on file at the program.

Children’s Injuries

If your child sustains a minor injury while at the program (e.g., scraped knee), you will receive an Accident/Incident Report outlining the incident and course of action taken by the staff member. Minor wounds, such as cuts, scrapes, or bites, will be washed with liquid soap and cool, running water followed by rinsing. A dry bandage or dressing may be applied as appropriate. You will be contacted immediately if the injury produces any type of swelling, is on the face or head, or needs medical attention.

If a serious medical emergency occurs, the child will be taken to the hospital immediately by ambulance, and a staff member will contact you (or a designated emergency contact if you cannot be reached).

Emergency Routine

Emergency disaster plans are located in the entry area of Holistic Seedlings Wonderschool. Our policy is to dial 911 in the event of an extreme emergency. Our emergency evacuation sites are in this order:

1) Salesforce Park: 425 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94105

2) Children’s Creativity Museum: 221 4th Street; San Francisco, CA 94105

Philosophy & Curriculum

Conflict Resolution

Our emphasis on problem-solving and conflict resolution supports our anti-bias goal, where children listen to and respect each other’s hopes, needs, and ideas. Children are gently guided to realize the effects of their actions upon one another. They are taught to be respectful of one another and are encouraged to seek out solutions to problems with each other.

We do not use corporal punishment of any kind nor do we use time-out procedures. Teachers use redirection approaches, role-modeling, and problem-solving discussions. Children will be gently removed from an area if they are being dangerous with their bodies and cannot stop themselves. The immediate goal and objective of the teacher is to help the child self-regulate and regain control, moving towards conflict resolution.

Child Abuse Report

It is mandatory for all the staff to report any suspected child abuse if the staff person suspects that a child has been abused in or out of the in-home facility, they are required by law to report this to Child Protective Services and Community Care Licensing. The person suspecting the abuse is responsible for making that call and should report it to the Director immediately.

Parent Involvement

We ask that parents maintain and uphold the core values of our program. Generally, parents are not expected to stay beyond drop off or pick up unless previously arranged.

Forms

Our in-home facility is licensed by the state of California. As required by California State Law and regulated by Community Care Licensing, a file on each child is kept on the premises of the facility. Parents have access to their child’s files upon request.

Parent-Teacher Communication

We strive to keep you up to date about your child’s activities during the day. These reports include:

• Sign In/Sign Out
• Snack and Meal Menu
• Bathroom use, specifying any urinations or BM your child had throughout the day

Acknowledgement of Receipt

I/We hereby acknowledge that I/We have received and read the Holistic Seedlings Parent Handbook in its entirety. I/We hereby agree to follow the program policies and procedures. I/We understand that Holistic Seedlings Wonderschool reserves the right to modify the Program Rules & Policies and any other information contained in the above documents at the program’s discretion, with 60 days of prior written notice.

This invitation for admission to Holistic Seedlings Wonderschool expires if this contract is not signed, dated, and received with the appropriate deposit fee (indicated above), no later than three days after the invitation of admission to the program.

Your Child’s First Day

The Beginning of the Year/Helping Your Child with Transition

During your child’s first days in our program, we take special time to help your child acclimate and transition into new rhythms and schedules. Parents are encouraged to stay for 10 minutes after drop off. In addition to morning drop-offs, we support families who feel their child may need additional transitional support.

These first days may be sensitive for children. We recognize that every child is different with different needs.

Clothing and Spare Clothing

Please do not send your children to the program in their “good” clothes. Clothes should be free to be stained, dirty, or in rare instances even ripped.

Clothing should be wholesome. We do not support violent or inappropriate imagery. Please send your child in safe, comfortable footwear. Flip-flops are not permitted.

First Day Checklist

To ensure the smoothest transition for your child, we ask you to please bring the following items on the first day of attendance:

• Covered water bottle. Water bottles go home daily. Please bring to the program every day. Water bottles should be labeled with your child’s name. Your child must begin to cultivate self-help skills. Please make sure water bottles are easily transportable for your child and easy to use.
• A Raincoat and one pair of rainboots labeled with the child’s name are to be stored in your child’s cubby.
• 2 extra changes of clothes, both long/short sleeves and shorts/pants to be stored in your child’s cubby. Please label all clothing with the child’s name.
• Two pairs of socks to be stored in your child’s cubby. Please label socks with the child’s name.
• Three pairs of underwear or a dozen diapers, labeled with the child’s name. Diapers are kept in a separate, personal cubby in the bathroom.
• Wipes labeled with your child’s name are to be stored in separate, personal cubby in the bathroom.
• Diaper cream labeled with your child’s name is to be stored in a separate, personal cubby in the bathroom.
• 2-4 family photos to be stored in your child’s cubby.
• Sunscreen is to be stored in your child’s cubby, labeled with your child’s name.
• Crib sheet and blanket. We ask that families wash this weekly.