FAQ for New Parents

Monday through Friday, 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM.

Yes. Activities begin at 9:00 AM, and there's a 9:30 AM cutoff for arrivals. After 10:30 AM, you'll need to make other arrangements for the day.

Late arrivals with a doctor's note are permitted before 10:30 AM only.

Use the QR code located outside your child's classroom to check in and out each day.

• Registration fee: $100 (non-refundable, secures your child's spot)
• Annual enrollment fee: $80 (charged November 1st each year)

Every Monday, regardless of attendance or school closures. Tuition is charged automatically via card on file—checks and cash are not accepted.

• $10/day late fee for overdue tuition
• $35 fee for returned/failed payments
• Voucher families: Payment due by the 1st; $10 fee after the 2nd; disenrollment after the 5th

• $1 per minute late, per child
• 30+ minutes late (or pattern of lateness) = administrative notice and potential disenrollment

Yes, 2 weeks notice is required.

• Disposable diapers
• Wipes (with reusable wipes box)
• At least 2 complete changes of clothes (labeled!)
• Pacifier (if needed)
• Reusable water bottle (take home daily to clean)
• Blanket from home for rest time (washed weekly at school)

For potty training: 4 complete changes of clothing including shirt, pants/dress, underwear, socks, and shoes.

• Toys from home (except for "show and share" days)
• Necklaces (choking hazard)
• Beads in hair (choking hazard)
• Hooped earrings (safety risk)
• Gum or candy
• Outside food or drinks

Earring policy: Screw-on backs only, no hoops.

Note: Breakfast is NOT served after 9:30 AM.

No outside food or drinks unless your child has a special diet or food allergy (doctor's note required for alternative milk or allergy accommodations).

Yes, with a doctor's note. SELA participates in the Child Care Food Program and posts weekly menus in each classroom.

• Fever of 101°F or higher
• 2 diarrhea diapers OR 1 vomiting episode
• Unable to participate in activities or noticeably lethargic for 1+ hour
• Any contagious condition (strep, pink eye, impetigo, head lice, scabies, chicken pox, etc.)

• Fever/vomiting/diarrhea: 24 hours symptom-free (no medication masking symptoms)
• On antibiotics: After 24 hours on the medication
• Chicken pox: Once all sores are dried (usually 5–7 days)
• Head lice/scabies: After successful treatment

If the 24-hour period ends after 9:30 AM, your child returns the next day.

No prescription or non-prescription medications are administered, except:

• Over-the-counter diaper cream (with signed form)
• Emergency medications (Epi-pens, seizure meds, asthma inhalers) with a completed Action Plan

Parents may come to the center to administer medications themselves if needed.

• Keep records updated with each booster
• Schedule shots on Fridays or late afternoons (so child isn't at school same day)
• Religious exemptions allowed with documentation, but once vaccinations begin, they must continue

• Individualized care with tummy time, sensory play, music, and interactive activities
• Focus on early brain development in a warm, secure environment
• Sheets washed daily

• Daily routines (feeding, naps, diapering) plus play-based learning
• Circle time, stories, art, movement, and outdoor play
• No time-out for children under 3 (redirection only)
• Biting is addressed with documentation and family collaboration

• Language/literacy, math/science exploration, art, music, physical activity
• Preparing children for kindergarten
• Hands-on, interactive learning

All children have a required quiet/rest period. If a child is disruptive for 15+ minutes and prevents others from sleeping, early pickup may be requested.

Potty training is done when each child is ready—a joint decision between parents and teachers. Child should be verbally ready ("I need to go to the bathroom").

Yes! Rain or shine, hot or cold—dress your child appropriately for the weather.

• Parents apply sunscreen before drop-off (for morning protection)
• SELA applies all-natural, hypoallergenic sunscreen before afternoon outdoor time
• Authorization form required at enrollment

• Send clothes you don't mind getting dirty, wet, or stained
• Label everything (including shoes!)
• Stuffed animals may stay in cubbies until rest time

• Brightwheel: Parent engagement and communication
• Procare: Accounting and payments
• Parent conferences: Encouraged anytime

Yes! Parents are welcome anytime during operating hours. Join for lunch, share hobbies or cultural traditions, or volunteer.

Coordinate with your child's teacher. Pre-packaged items from a bakery only (home-cooked food not permitted per NC sanitation law).

Outgrown books, toys, clothes, and Halloween costumes for dramatic play!

• Redirection is the primary technique
• Time-out used rarely (only if child needs space to regain composure)
• No time-out for children under 3
• No corporal punishment ever

• Parents notified immediately
• Behavior charts, redirection, and time-out (if appropriate)
• Plan developed with parents if behavior continues
• 3+ aggressive acts in one week = sent home for the day
• Continued aggression = 2-day suspension, then possible disenrollment

• Recognized as a normal developmental stage
• Incidents documented; parents of both children notified
• Buncombe County behavioral specialist may be consulted
• For children under 3, SELA works with families on a plan

Parents MUST be reachable by phone at all times. Unreachable parents during emergencies may be grounds for disenrollment.

Only people listed on your childcare emergency form may pick up your child. ID will be requested from anyone unfamiliar to staff.