Daily Schedule and Guidelines

Children’s Arrival

We ask that the parent/guardian accompany the child to MDO and be available for the first few days. On the first day, we ask the parent/guardian to drop off and get acquainted with the caregiver/teacher. After the first couple of times, we ask the parent/guardian to drop off quickly and let the teacher transition the child.

Children do well when they follow a predictable routine (such as consistent arrival time). If you are bringing in your child after their scheduled time, please call to let the teacher know so they can plan for your child. Please drop off children between 9:00 and 9:15 a.m.

There are telephones in each child’s room. The parent/guardian is welcome to call the teacher to check on their child. Also, the parent/guardian is welcome to call the Director with any questions or concerns.

Attendance

We appreciate knowing when your child will be absent, whether it is due to illness, family vacation plans, or other circumstances. Please call to let us know when your child will be away from MDO.

Signing In and Signing Out

The person escorting your child to and from MDO must be at least 16 years of age. The parent/escort will bring the child to their room and sign them in. Plan to spend some extra time helping your child hang up their coat, greet his/her teacher, etc. to ease the transition from home to MDO.

Sign your child out when you pick him/her up. Your child will only be released to the authorized persons you have listed on the Enrollment Form. They will need to bring in some form of identification. If you need to add new names or delete names from the pick-up list, please notify the Director.

Please remember that once your child has been picked-up, the pick-up person is responsible for your child’s safety from the point of the child’s room, even while still in the building and on the premises.

Children’s Clothing

Children should be dressed in play clothes that are comfortable, washable, and suitable for all activities both indoors and outdoors.

Dress children for active play—flip flops, sandals, crocs, and jelly shoes do not provide enough security or protection when children are climbing and jumping. Children must wear socks and lace-up or Velcro shoes. Hoods with strings are choking hazards for children on playgrounds. We suggest that children not wear jewelry, with the exception of stud earrings.

All children should have at least one extra set of clothing appropriate for the season in their bags.

Lost clothing is a problem that most of us just cannot afford, so please help yourselves and us by clearly marking your child’s name on jackets, sweaters and change of clothing. The parent/guardian is responsible for labeling all belongings of their child to avoid confusion over ownership. MDO is not responsible for any personal belongings that may become lost or left behind after withdrawal from MDO.

Treasures and Possessions

Each child has a special area for bags, jackets, extra clothes, and treasured art projects. Please check your child’s area each day to take items home that need not remain at MDO. Upon entering FUMC MDO, your child may need the comfort of bringing a special security object from home. This is acceptable during the adjustment period and nap time and/or until your child feels secure in the room.

Other than during the adjustment time, we ask that your child not bring anything to MDO unless the teacher has requested it. This includes gum, candy, food, money, and toys. At MDO, all things are shared and the child may not be ready to share a favorite toy. There is also the risk of loss or breakage. Please remember that MDO is not responsible for any personal belongings that may become lost or broken. (There are times when a child may insist on bringing an item. Do not let this cause an issue between you and your child. Inform the teacher and we will have the child keep it in their bag.)

Exceptions:
For infants, parents/guardian may bring items for the infant’s crib to have the feel
of their own crib at home. Label all pacifiers, bottles, blankets, etc.
For infants and toddlers, to prevent choking hazards, stuffed animals or dolls
cannot have button eyes or loose pieces.

Personal Items List

Please label all items.

Crib Room

6-8 disposable diapers (Children are changed every 1 1/2 hours or as needed.)
1 box of wipes (monthly)
1 box tissues
Change of clothes
Prepared lunch (hot or cold)
Anything he/she might want to sleep with
Prepared bottles or non-spill sippy cups (breast milk should be thawed out and in a bottle)

Toddler Room

4-6 Disposable diapers
1 box of wipes (monthly)
1 box of tissues
Non-spill sippy cup for snack time
Cold lunch (finger foods that a child can feed himself or herself)
Change of clothes including socks
Anything he/she might want to sleep with
2 small blankets or a blanket and sheet for nap (state regulation)

Pre-Primary Room

4-6 disposable diapers (if needed)
1 box of wipes (monthly)
1 box tissues
Non-spill sippy cup for snack time
Cold lunch
Change of clothes including socks
Anything he/she might want to sleep with
2 small blankets or a blanket and sheet for nap (state regulation)

Pre-School Preparedness Room

Cold lunch
1 box tissues
Change of clothes including socks
Anything he/she might want to sleep with
2 small blankets or a blanket and sheet for nap (state regulation)

Potty Learning
We encourage your child to be independent in the bathroom. We would like them to be able to pull down their underwear by themselves, although we will help them in difficult times. We will be able to assist them with wiping after a bowel movement. Please do not use pull-ups on children before they are actually using the toilet. Please help us by going over these procedures with your child at home. Please dress your child in clothing that can be undone easily. One piece outfits with snaps on the legs, dresses and pull down pants are helpful.

Breakfast, Lunch, and Snack

MDO asks that all parents pack a balanced lunch with an ice pack. Foods packed must be age appropriate and children must be able to feed themselves. Parents will be asked to bring a snack for their child’s room on a rotating schedule developed by your child’s teacher. These schedules will be sent home with tuition slips.

In the Crib Room (6 weeks - 12 months) MDO will follow the food schedule for each child as discussed with the parents.

MDO requires all children in the Toddler, Pre-Primary, and Pre-School Preparedness Rooms to have breakfast before arriving to MDO. Snack time does not start before 9:30 a.m.

Holidays and Birthdays

Each room will have a party for Fall, Christmas, and Valentine’s Day. Parents will be asked to bring items for these celebrations. Birthdays are special and we will celebrate them at snack time. If you wish to send party treats, please feel free to do so. MDO will try to schedule everyone’s snack day on their birthday. MDO requests that no cupcakes be sent.