Family & parent handbookFamily & parent handbook

Dear Families,

Welcome to A+ Academy! We are honored that you have entrusted us with your child's care and early education during these foundational years. This handbook explains the policies and procedures that guide our program so that you know what to expect and what we ask of families in return. Please read it carefully, keep it for reference, and reach out to our office with any questions.

From all of us on the teaching and administrative team — welcome to our school community.

A+ Academy provides a safe, nurturing, and inclusive environment where children from 18 months to 5 years old can grow socially, emotionally, physically, and cognitively through play-based learning. We believe every child develops at their own pace and deserves an environment that welcomes their individual strengths, needs, and cultural background.

2.1Age Groups Served

• Toddlers — 18 to 24 months
• Young Preschool — 2 to 3 years
• Preschool — 3 to 4 years
• Pre-Kindergarten — 4 to 5 years

A+ Academy is committed to full inclusion of all children, regardless of race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, gender identity, family structure, disability, developmental delay, or socioeconomic background. We believe an inclusive classroom benefits every child by fostering empathy, belonging, and respect for differences from the earliest years.

3.1Our Commitments

• We do not discriminate in enrollment, discipline, or program access based on a child's or family's protected characteristics.
• We work collaboratively with families and early-intervention providers to support children with disabilities or developmental delays within the regular classroom whenever appropriate.
• Staff receive ongoing training in inclusive practices, disability awareness, and culturally responsive teaching.
• Classroom materials, books, and activities reflect diverse family structures, cultures, abilities, and traditions.

3.2Requesting an Accommodation

Families who would like to discuss an accommodation, support plan, or specific need for their child should contact the Director/ Faber liaison. We will schedule a meeting to develop a plan collaboratively.

4.1Enrollment Requirements

• Completed enrollment application and emergency contact form
• Authorized release alternates form
• Food program eligibility application form
• Health survey
• Up-to-date immunization records or a signed exemption form per state/local requirements
• Media release form
• Blanket permission for walking trips
• Attendance form
• Recent medical examination form
• Signed handbook acknowledgment form

4.2Waitlist & Priority

Enrollment is offered in the order applications are received, subject to age-group and classroom capacity limits set by our license.

4.3Non-Discrimination in Admissions

Consistent with our Inclusion Policy above, admission decisions are never based on race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, gender identity, family structure, or disability. A child's need for reasonable accommodation is not grounds for denial of enrollment.

4.4Family Responsibilities and Enrollment Compliance

Enrollment is conditional on the family providing complete and accurate information, maintaining all required records, following school policies, communicating promptly with the school, and complying with all applicable licensing, safety, attendance, and enrollment requirements. Failure to meet these requirements may result in an enrollment review and, for private enrollment, suspension or expulsion as described in Section 9.

5.1Immunizations & Health Records

For the health of the group, children must be symptom-free (fever, vomiting, diarrhea) for 24 hours without medication before returning to school. Staff will contact you to pick up your child if a child becomes ill during the day. A parent/guardian or authorized adult must respond promptly and arrange pickup. Repeated failure to respond to illness or emergency pickup requests may result in an enrollment review.

5.2Illness Policy

For the health of the group, children must be symptom-free (fever, vomiting, diarrhea) for 24 hours without medication before returning to school. Staff will contact you to pick up your child if a child becomes ill during the day.

5.3Medication Administration

Staff may only administer medication (prescription or over-the-counter) with a completed Medication Authorization Form, the medication in its original container, and written physician instructions where required by regulation.

5.4Allergies & Special Dietary Needs

Please inform the office of any food, insect, or environmental allergies at enrollment and immediately if a new allergy is diagnosed. Classrooms are posted with allergy alerts, and an individual care plan (including epinephrine auto-injector protocols, if applicable) is created with the family and staff.

5.5Injury & Incident Reporting

Any injury occurring at school is documented on an incident report, and families are notified the same day. Serious injuries result in immediate parent notification and, if needed, emergency medical care.

5.6Diapering, Toileting & Potty Training

For toddlers and children still in diapers, staff follow standard sanitary diapering procedures and check/change children at regular intervals and as needed. For children in potty training, we partner with families to keep routines consistent between home and school — please discuss your child's training plan with the lead teacher.

5.7Rest & Nap Time

Children have a scheduled rest period (12:45 pm-1:45 pm). Children who do not sleep rest quietly with a book or quiet toy. Please provide a nap mat.

6.1Emergency Preparedness

Our school conducts regular fire, severe weather, and lockdown drills in accordance with licensing requirements. Emergency evacuation routes are posted in every classroom.

6.2In the Event of an Emergency

• Staff follow the posted emergency response plan for the specific situation (fire, severe weather, medical, security).
• Parents/guardians are notified as soon as it is safe to do so, using the contact information on file.
• All entrances are locked during program hours. Children will only be released to individuals listed on the authorized pick-up list, who must show photo ID upon request. Parents/guardians may not enter classrooms or restricted areas without staff authorization. Attempts to bypass security procedures, enter restricted areas, or remove a child without proper authorization may result in immediate removal from the premises and, for private enrollment, may be grounds for immediate suspension or expulsion.

6.3Security & Sign-In/Sign-Out

All entrances are locked during program hours. Children will only be released to individuals listed on the authorized pick-up list, who must show photo ID upon request.

Our curriculum is play-based and developmentally appropriate, blending structured learning with child-directed exploration. Exact schedules vary by classroom, so please ask any staff member if you want to see it.

We provide breakfast (before care only), morning snack, lunch, and an afternoon snack that meet applicable nutrition guidelines, if the child does not bring it from home. Menus are changed monthly. Families are asked to notify the office of any allergies or dietary restrictions (religious, cultural, or medical) so meals can be adapted accordingly.

We use positive, developmentally appropriate guidance strategies to help children build self-regulation and social skills.

• Redirection, modeling, and clear, consistent expectations are used with all age groups.
• Corporal punishment, shaming, food withholding, and isolation are never used.
• For persistent behavioral challenges, staff will partner with families to create an individualized support plan, and may recommend outside evaluation or resources.
• Suspension or dismissal from the program is used only as a last resort, following the process described in our enrollment agreement.

9.1Parent & Guardian Conduct

A+ Academy expects parents, guardians, authorized pickup persons, and other family representatives to communicate and behave respectfully toward children, staff, administrators, and other families. The following conduct is prohibited:

• Threats, intimidation, harassment, bullying, discrimination, or abusive language toward any child, family member, staff member, or visitor.
• Physical aggression, attempted physical aggression, or bringing a weapon or other dangerous item onto school property, except as permitted by applicable law and school policy.
• Entering classrooms, staff-only areas, or other restricted areas without authorization.
• Interfering with staff while they are supervising children or performing safety-related duties.
• Refusing to follow sign-in/sign-out, authorized pickup, security, health, or emergency procedures.
• Repeatedly failing to communicate with the school, respond to urgent requests, or comply with required documentation.
• Knowingly providing false, misleading, or incomplete information relevant to enrollment, health, emergency contacts, custody, or authorized pickup.
• Recording, photographing, or posting images/information involving other children, families, or staff without appropriate permission.
• Conduct that materially disrupts the operation of the school or creates a safety concern for children or staff.
• Repeated late pickup or failure to make required pickup arrangements after written notice.
• Nonpayment of tuition, fees, or other amounts due under the private enrollment agreement, subject to any notice or cure period required by that agreement or applicable law.

9.2Suspension & Expulsion

Grounds for suspension or expulsion may include, but are not limited to:

• Serious or repeated physical aggression, threats, or conduct that creates a significant safety risk to children, staff, or others.
• Repeated behavior that substantially disrupts the classroom or school after reasonable interventions and family conferences.
• Conduct or circumstances that make continued enrollment unsafe or impracticable, consistent with applicable licensing requirements and nondiscrimination obligations.

• Please notify the office if your child will be absent or arriving late.
• All entrances are locked during program hours, and parents/guardians do not enter the building. At the door, a staff member receives each child and releases each child at pick-up. Children are released only to individuals listed on the authorized pick-up list, who must show photo ID upon request.
• Students will be marked tardy if they arrive after 9 am. Students with 5 or more tardies will receive an action plan to help address ongoing attendance concerns. Pick-up must be by 3:15 pm and, for aftercare, 6 pm. Families must arrive on time and ensure that an authorized adult is available at pickup. Repeated late arrivals or late pickups may result in written warnings, an attendance action plan, additional applicable fees, or loss of before/after-care privileges.

We believe strong partnerships with families are essential to each child's success. We use ClassDojo as a parent communication app where we share photos and child updates throughout the day. Families are expected to monitor school communications and respond to time-sensitive messages. The school must have current phone numbers, email addresses, emergency contacts, custody information, and authorized pickup information always. Failure to maintain current information may result in an enrollment review.

For 2026/2027, the tuition rates vary based on the schedule chosen. For private:

• 3 days (Part-Time): $900/month; drop-off as early as 7:30 am; pick-up by 6 pm
• 5 days (Full-Time): $1,200/month; drop-off as early as 7:30 am; pick-up by 6 pm

For public program participants, before care is $250, after care is $350, and the bundle comes up to $525.

12.1Payment Expectations

Families are responsible for paying tuition/before and after care, and applicable fees according to the enrollment agreement. Payments are due regardless of a child's occasional absence. Families must maintain a current payment method and promptly address declined or overdue payments. Repeated or unresolved nonpayment may result in suspension or termination of enrollment, subject to any notice or cure period required by the enrollment agreement or applicable law.

Consistent with best practice for early childhood, screen time is limited and used only occasionally for age-appropriate educational purposes, never during meals or as routine entertainment.

Children's records, health information, and family information are kept confidential and stored securely, shared only with staff who need access to provide care, or as required by law. Photos or information about a child are not shared publicly (including on social media) without written parental consent.

A+ Academy prohibits discrimination or harassment of any child, family member, or staff member on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or any other legally protected status. This applies to admissions, program participation, employment, and all interactions on school grounds.

We want to hear from you if something isn't working.

• Step 1: Discuss the concern with your child's classroom teacher.
• Step 2: If unresolved, schedule a meeting with the Director.
• Step 3: Formal written complaints may be submitted to the Director. Families are expected to use this process respectfully and without disrupting classroom operations. A complaint does not excuse a family from following safety, attendance, pickup, tuition, or other applicable policies while the concern is being reviewed.

A full calendar of holiday closures, professional development days, and inclement-weather procedures is provided separately.