Irving Day Nursery Parent Handbook

What to Bring

Each child will have a cubby for their personal items. Please include:

• Extra clothing (weather-appropriate and for messy play.)

• A blanket for rest time (if over 12 months.)

• A reusable bag for soiled items. A bag will be given to you once enrolled.

• Labeled and dated sunscreen (if bringing your own), otherwise we will use Sun Bum Baby SPF 50.

• Tuffo Rain Suit (to the size of your infant/toddler.)

Infants also need:

• Diapers. We will use your preference of disposable or cloth.

• Breast milk or formula in labeled, dated bottles;

• Prepared infant food (labeled with date and what is inside if homemade.)

• Reusable bags for dirty bottles, cloth diapers, or clothes.

We do our best to keep track of items, but please label everything clearly with a sharpie.

Our Day Together

We offer a balanced approach that blends play-based learning with gentle structure. Each day includes:

• Indoor play and exploration.

• Music and art specials.

• Outdoor time.

• Meals, snacks, and rest.

Children of different ages play and learn together, encouraging leadership, empathy, and cooperation.

Our caregivers follow the children's interests to spark learning opportunities.

Meals & Snacks

We provide AM snack, lunch, and PM snack daily. Meals are healthy, homemade, mostly organic, and vegetarian.

If your child has allergies or restrictions, let us know. Children under 12 months must bring their own clearly labeled food. You can also let us know if there is something from our daily menu that you would approve for us to feed them.

Toys From Home

Children may bring toys if they can be shared or are for quiet time.

Items that cause conflict or include weapons/action figures must stay at home or in the child’s bin.

Outings

We take walks and explore the neighborhood using strollers or baby carriers. Irving Park, Sabin Elementary school, Irvington school and the Madeleine school are all within walking distance.

Electronics

We do not use screens. The only exception is audio music or stories.

Caregivers will use the nursery’s iPad to make updates to the Bright Wheel communication to parents and guardians throughout the day.

Bright Wheel is a childcare app that for parents provides real-time updates, direct communication, access to information, convenient check-in and check-out, and financial management.

Birthdays/Special Visitors

Families are welcome to bring a treat to celebrate. Treats must be store bought. We will let you know how many children to plan for and share dietary restrictions.

We welcome grandparents and other special visitors of the children to stop-in for brief visits. They will need to sign the visitors log.

Perhaps they will want to read a book to the group or assist with art? They are required to sign a visitors log and must remain in sight of our caregivers at all times.

Medication

All medications must be provided in the original container, clearly labeled and dated.

Let us know if your child needs to take medication during care.

Guidance Policy

Our caregivers model and teach:

     •  Validate Feelings.

    •    Encouragement.

    •  Respect for others.

    • Respect for property.

    •    Ask instead of tell. This invites children to think and choose.

    •    Be authentic yourself.

    •    Stay positive.

    •    Focus on solutions instead of blame.

    •    Listen to your tone of voice.

    •    Promote independence and self-respect.

    •    Be firm, fair, and consistent.

    •    Talk with children, not to them or at them.

    •    Enjoy children and have fun with them.

    •    Distract and redirect children before a problem occurs to avoid conflicts.

    •    Be willing to admit mistakes, smile and start again. Often, in a group child care setting you will find that the children will have conflict with one another from time to time and this is normal. 

    •    Conflicts provide opportunities for the children to learn about boundaries, appropriate ways to handle situations, and how to function successfully in a larger group of peers.

Diapering

We plan for diaper changes and toileting opportunities at regular intervals throughout the day or when needed.  

Please supply enough diapers for your child daily.  

If you provide cloth diapers, we need to have enough diaper covers for each insert. We do not reuse diaper covers.

Family Style Meals

Meals are served family-style to encourage independence and social skills.

Children learn to serve themselves and eat alongside caregivers. Adults will demonstrate eating healthy and we will discuss food and healthy eating during meals.

Toilet Readiness

We follow a child-led approach. We begin once your child is confidently using the toilet at home. We do not use pull-ups or offer rewards.

Children are encouraged to use the toilet during diaper changes if showing interest. Familiarity helps ease the transition.

Sunscreen

Apply sunscreen before drop-off. We will reapply as needed with our provided brand Sun Bum (with your permission), or leave your child’s personal sunscreen in their basket, labeled with their first name and date opened.

Photography & Video

We may take photos or videos for family sharing and marketing.

If you do not want your child included, please request an opt-out form.

Illness Policy

Please keep your child home if they show signs of illness.

• Fever (100°F or higher)

• Vomiting or diarrhea

• Rash, cough, or difficulty breathing

• We require a daily healthy child attestation at drop-off (parents initials), that your child has not vomited, has not had diarrhea and has not been given pain/fever reducer to be made comfortable in the last 48 hours.

Children may return after 48 hours symptom-free without medication.

If illness develops during the day, parents will be called for immediate pickup. We do not offer credits or makeup days for sick absences.

Late Pick-up Policy

First late pick-up will not incur any charges.

Second late pick-up will not incur any charges.

Third late pick-up will incur a $50 charge as will every subsequent late pick-up.

Emergency Plan

In an emergency, we will contact you immediately. If unreachable, we will contact your listed emergency contact(s). If the building is unsafe to re-enter, and your child must be picked up we will notify you. Once conditions become safe, we will continue our day as usual.

We have a longer written plan for emergency preparedness that addresses evacuation, relocation, shelter in place, lockdown procedures, and responding to medical emergencies and other incidents. These details will be shared during the enrollment process.