1. Do purchased hours expire?
2. Can I get a refund for unused hours?
3. Is the registration and supply fee per family or per child?
4. I have a friend who would like to register their child; do I get anything for referring them?
5. Is the referral discount per child or per family?
6. What is the supply fee used for?
7. When is the annual supply fee due?
8. Can an hourly package be shared between siblings or friends?
9. Can hourly packages be split or transferred between centers?
10. What payment methods are accepted?
11. Do you have military/student discounts?
12. How and when are we billed?
13. Can I use my (packaged) hours to pay for meals?
14. Can I buy meals in packages?
15. Will you provide me with an expense summary for taxes?
HOURS & LOCATIONS
16. Are you open on holidays?
17. What are your operating hours?
18. What locations do you have?
19. Can my child use both locations?
YOUR CHILD'S DAY
20. Is the daily routine flexible?
21. Do you put the TV on or play movies for the children?
22. What kinds of movies are played?
23. Do you offer field trips or visits to the park?
24. What if my child is tired or thirsty at any given time?
25. How are the children organized?
26. Will you provide me with a report of my child's day?
HEALTH & SAFETY
27. Do you need my child's immunization record/physical examination if he/she only attends some of the time?
28. Who can pick up my child?
29. What happens if my child gets hurt while at the center?
30. Is there a dress code?
31. What kind of training does your staff have?
32. Are background checks conducted on all staff members?
33. What is your policy with sick children?
34. Are there fire drills in place?
35. What security measures are in place?
36. How often is the facility cleaned and toys disinfected?
37. What are the student/teacher ratios?
MEALS & SNACKS
38. Can my child bring food from home?
39. Can I bring a cake/treat on my child's birthday?
40. What if my child has food allergies?
41. What types of meals/snacks are served?
POLICIES & PROCEDURES
42. What do I do if my child will be absent?
43. Do you require notice if my child will be leaving your care?
44. What is your policy on discipline?
45. Why do you ask what my child's pick-up time will be? What if I'm not sure?
46. Can my child bring his/her favorite toy with him/her?
47. What happens if I am late picking up my child?
48. What if my child is medicated?
49. What if my child has allergies?
50. Will I be informed if my child had a rough day?
51. What if my child spills on him/herself or has an accident?
52. What if my child is potty training?
53. Under what circumstances would you call me?
54. What if my child doesn't want to take a nap?
55. What if my child isn't hungry/doesn't eat?
MILITARY
56. Do you offer a military discount?
57. What is NACCRRA?
58. How do I sign up for NACCRRA?
59. Can I use my NACCRRA credit to purchase meals?
60. Can I combine my NACCRRA hours with hours I purchase out-of-pocket?
61. Why do my hours "zero out" every month?
62. What happens if I have NACCRRA hours and I purchase hours out-of-pocket? Do they still get "zeroed out"?
63. When is the NACCRRA credit applied?
MISCELLANEOUS
64. What kind of license do you carry?
65. How long have you been in business?
66. Are diapers and wipes provided?
67. Do you care for disabled or special needs children?
68. What ages do you care for?
- Do purchased hours expire?
As long as your child visits at least once per month, your hours will never expire! You may give us a call or email if you aren’t able to make it one month and we’ll gladly keep your hours active.
- Can I get a refund for unused hours?
Kids by the Hour has a strict “No Refund” policy.
- Is the registration and supply fee per child or per family?
The one-time $50 registration fee is per family and the annual $30 supply fee is per child. Both are due at enrollment.
- I have a friend who would like to register their child; do I get anything for referring them?
Yes! If your friend lets us know you sent them our way, you will receive 20% off your next Kids by the Hour purchase!
- Is the referral discount per child or per family?
You will receive one discount of 20% off per family referred that enrolls one or more children.
- What is the supply fee used for?
The supply fee is used to purchase and maintain a great stock of art supplies, books, and toys used by your children.
- When is the annual supply fee due?
The annual supply fee is due every year on the anniversary of your child’s enrollment.
- Can an hourly package be shared between siblings or friends?
Yes! One of the great things about hourly packages is that they can be shared by siblings. Children of friends or family may use your hours; however, they must be added to your enrollment form and provide the required documents (physical and shot record) within 30 days of enrollment.
- Can hourly packages be split or transferred between centers?
Absolutely! Hourly packages may be split between centers at time of purchase and can be transferred between centers when both are open, Monday-Saturday.
- What payment methods are accepted?
We accept cash, debit, Visa, MasterCard, and American Express. We are not accepting checks or Discover at this time.
- Do you have military/student discounts?
If you or your spouse is in the military, please visit www.naccrra.org to find out how you may qualify for child care with us for little or no out-of-pocket expense.
We do not offer student discounts at this time. However, as a benefit to all of our customers, we offer a savings of up to 35% in the form of hourly packages! For more information, visit our Pricing Information page.
- How and when are we billed?
All fees are due at time services are rendered.
If you choose to use hourly packages, you may purchase them at any time. Once you run out, you will be required to purchase another package or pay the remaining balance at the hourly rate. You will also be billed at pick up for any meals and snacks that were served.
If you choose to purchase weekly passes, they are due by 6pm the Monday of the weekly pass. Meals are included during valid hours with weekly passes.
- Can I use my (packaged) hours to pay for meals?
Hourly packages can only be used to pay for the hours your child(ren) are in our care. Meals cannot be deducted from hourly packages and are billed at time of pick-up.
- Can I buy meals in packages?
You may pay for meals at each pick-up or you can purchase any amount you would like at a time. For example, you can tell the front desk manager that you would like to purchase $10 worth of meals. That amount will remain on your file and meals will be deducted from that amount until it is at zero or you add more money.
- Will you provide me with an expense summary for taxes?
You will receive an invoice every year stating the amount you spent with us on hourly packages or weekly passes. Unless requested in advance, we cannot provide you with a summary if you only purchase hours at the hourly rate. When hours are only paid hourly, a white card is not kept, which is what is used to calculate your child care expenses with us.
If you require a child care invoice more frequently or for other purposes (such as child care paid by employer), please discuss this with your center’s director.
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- Are you open on holidays?
Please check our Events Calendar page for more information.
- What are your operating hours?
Please check our Hours & Locations page for more information.
- What locations do you have?
We have two convenient locations to serve you. For maps and contact information please click here
- Can my child use both locations?
Absolutely! If you wish to use both locations regularly, it is best that you pay hourly or have a separate package purchased at each location. On your first visit to the second location, we will need to confirm you are registered with the first location. This can only be done when both centers are open, Monday-Saturday. You may also be asked to enroll at the second location (for no additional fees).
- Is the daily routine flexible?
We do appreciate the importance of keeping to a schedule and do our best to adhere to ours, but some flexibility is necessary. For example, on a day with fewer children, we may get through lunch a lot sooner and begin nap/quiet time a little earlier. Or on a rainy day, we may not be able to go outside. Often, the schedule is followed within a few minutes.
- Do you put the TV on or play movies for the children?
Friday night is “Movie Night” at Kids by the Hour and, occasionally, a teacher may choose to play a movie for the children for a short while.
- What kinds of movies are played?
Anything that we play for the children is carefully selected according to rating and age-appropriateness. The choice may be a toddler favorite such as Dora or
- Do you offer field trips or visits to the park?
At this time, our children do not leave the premises for any reason, except in case of emergency or drill.
- What if my child is tired or thirsty at any given time?
There is at least one water fountain available to children at all times. He/she need only ask to rest or drink water and it will be granted. We also offer drinks throughout the day during meals, snacks, and after each outside play time. All children are also given ample opportunity to rest throughout the day, including a scheduled nap/quiet time as required by law.
- How are the children organized?
Children are separated by age, according to the teacher/student ratios as required by law. Generally, one-year-olds are kept together and two and three-year-olds (and older) are kept together. These may change depending on how many of each age are in our care at any given time. We do look to place the child wherever he/she is most comfortable. For example, a child who just turned two may prefer to remain in the infant room a little longer, before playing with the older children.
- Will you provide me with a report of my child’s day?
We offer “Sunshine Reports” for any parent who requests them. Simply let the front desk manager know at drop-off that you would like one completed for your child and it will be ready for you at pick-up.
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- Do you need my child’s immunization record/physical examination if he/she only attends some of the time?
Yes. The law requires us to obtain an immunization record and physical examination of every child in our care within 30 days of enrollment.
- Who can pick up my child?
Only persons listed on the enrollment form (by the child’s custodian) as authorized to pick up the child will be allowed to do so. ID will be required of any person we do not recognize as the child’s parent or guardian.
- What happens if my child gets hurt while at the center?
In the case of biting, broken skin, or bruising, you will receive a phone call right away. We will inform you of how the “boo-boo” was treated and you can instruct us on any further action. An incident report will also be created for you to read over and sign at pick-up. The report will be added to your child’s file. If there is serious injury, 911 and you (the parent) will be notified immediately.
- Is there a dress code?
Your child should be dressed comfortably and appropriately for the day’s weather. Bear in mind, there will likely be some running, jumping, and twirling in your child’s day. We also go outside to play throughout the day. They should be dressed in clothing that they are able to remove and redress on their own when using the restroom. Open-toed footwear is not allowed and tennis shoes or sneakers are strongly recommended. Stubbed toes and splinters from mulch are no fun for anyone.
- What kind of training does your staff have?
Every staff member is individually trained by a member of our senior staff or center Director. Kids by the Hour continually provides in-house training and guidance to its entire staff. Additionally, every staff member is required to complete 40 hours of training with the Florida Department of Children and Families. They are each trained in First Aid and CPR certified.
- Are background checks conducted on all staff members?
Absolutely! A Sheriff Criminal Background Check is conducted of every staff member and references are checked on every employee.
- What is your policy with sick children?
Parents are required to report to the center within 24 hours when a child has been diagnosed by his/her physician as having a contagious disease. This is to ensure the proper action is taken as soon as possible to prevent the spread of disease to the rest of the children in our program.
We cannot accept any child at drop-off if he/she has had a fever of 100 degrees or more in the past 24 hours, has diarrhea or is vomiting. We ask that you do not bring your child in if he/she is constantly coughing, sneezing, wheezing, has nasal discharge, a communicable disease, pink eye, lice, a sore throat, unusual spots or rashes, or mouth sores with drooling.
For more details please refer to the Kids by the Hour Parent Handbook.
- Are there fire drills in place?
Monthly fire drills are conducted and evacuation routes are clearly posted.
- What security measures are in place?
Your child’s safety and well-being is our top concern.
· Kids by the Hour is equipped with security cameras for the use of our staff and owners.
· Our doors are locked at all times. Any person wishing to enter must be let in by the front desk manager.
· Children are closely monitored and any person picking up a child (who is not recognized as the child’s custodian) must be on the authorized pick-up list on the child’s enrollment form and provide valid ID.
- How often is the facility cleaned and toys disinfected?
The facility is thoroughly cleaned daily and items are disinfected throughout the day.
- What are the teacher/student ratios?
The maximum number of children of a particular age allowed to be cared for by one teacher is as follows:
1 teacher to 4 infants
1 teacher to 6 one-year-olds
1 teacher to 11 two-year-olds
1 teacher to 15 three-year-olds
1 teacher to 20 four-year-olds
1 teacher to 25 five-year-olds
- Can my child bring food from home?
We ask that you do NOT bring food from home. We will serve your child a meal at meal times and a snack at snack times as required by law. In the case of allergies or other concerns, please discuss the matter with your center’s Director.
- Can I bring a cake/treat on my child’s birthday?
Absolutely! We ask that you make arrangements with your center’s Director ahead of time and possibly arrange to bring it after lunch or during snack time.
- What if my child has food allergies?
Your child’s allergies are taken very seriously. They are posted in the kitchen and on your child’s file. If we are serving something your child is allergic to, he/she will be offered a substitute item. For example, if we are drinking milk and your child is lactose intolerant, he/she will be offered juice or water.
- What types of meals/snacks are served?
The children in our care benefit from balanced, nutritious meals and snacks that have been selected in accordance with the guidelines in
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- What do I do if my child will be absent?
Although it is not required, a phone call to let us know he/she will not be attending is appreciated. In particular, if he/she has a weekly pass or attends regularly. This helps us in determining what staff to keep on and for how long.
- Do you require notice if my child will be leaving your care?
A two-week verbal or written notice is greatly appreciated.
- What is your policy on discipline?
Please refer to the Disciplinary Practices found in the Kids by the Hour Parent Handbook for more information.
- Why do you ask what my child’s pick-up time will be? What if I’m not sure?
There are a few reasons for this. Primarily, it is used to determine things like how much staff to keep on or how many meals to prepare. We understand that you may not always have an idea of your pick-up time. We do appreciate your best guess and if you could give us a call once you realize you’re going past your estimated pick-up time, it would be greatly appreciated.
- Can my child bring his/her favorite toy with him/her?
We do not allow any outside toys. If there is an item your child is particularly fond of, such as a blanket or stuffed animal, please discuss this with your center’s Director.
- What happens if I am late picking up my child?
For children dropped off hourly, late fees are incurred if the child remains in our care past our closing time (not past the estimated pick-up time). Please refer to the Kids by the Hour Parent Handbook for our late fee schedule and further details.
For weekly passes, the parent will be billed hourly beginning at 6pm, when the weekly pass is no longer valid. Dinner will be served to the child and billed at pick-up. The parent may choose to pay the hourly rate or purchase an hourly package at pick-up.
*If a child remains in our care 30 minutes after closing and the parents and/or emergency contacts cannot be reached, the proper authorities will be contacted.
- What if my child is medicated?
A written authorization signed by a parent or guardian must accompany any type of medication, sunscreen, or bug spray. All medication must be in the original container, indicating the child’s name, type and date of prescribed medication, as well as the amount and time of dosage. Again, a signed Authorization for Medication form must be on file and any medication will only be given in accordance to label instructions and applicable laws. Medication cannot be administered in food or drink or referred to as “candy”.
- What if my child has allergies?
Please make us aware of any and all allergies immediately. We will take the proper steps to ensure your child is not exposed to his/her allergy agitators and work with you to ensure that the proper treatment (such as an EpiPen) is available as a precaution.
- Will I be informed if my child had a rough day?
Your child’s teacher or front desk manager will inform you of any significant events in your child’s day, such as an out-of-character refusal to share or eat lunch as well as any other information they deem necessary. In addition, we offer “Sunshine Reports” about your child’s day for any parent who requests them. Simply let the front desk manager know at drop-off that you would like one completed for your child and it will be ready for you at pick-up.
- What if my child spills on him/herself or has an accident?
Your child will be changed immediately and reassured.
No matter how careful an eater or what a great job a potty-trainer is doing, accidents do happen. We ask that you pack your child an extra pair of clothes, including top, bottoms, socks, and panties or underwear (or plenty of diapers and wipes, if applicable). We do have extra clothing, diapers, and wipes available at all times, but fees will be incurred by the parent if our clothing, diapers, or wipes are used.
- What if my child is potty training?
Please inform the front desk manager and/or your child’s teacher when he/she begins potty training. Although we do not potty train, we will be happy to work with and encourage your little one. Please be sure to dress your child in clothing he/she can fasten and unfasten easily and quickly on his or her own.
- Under what circumstances would you call me?
Really, that depends on you. You can let the front desk manager know at drop-off exactly under what circumstances you would like to receive a phone call. Some parents ask us to call if their child cries at any time or to let them know if their child begins asking for them. Often, parents will call to see how their child is doing throughout the day.
We will certainly call you in the event your child is injured or injures another child. In the case of biting, broken skin or bruising, you will receive a phone call right away. We will inform you of how the “boo-boo” occurred, how it was treated, and you can instruct us on any further action. (An incident report will also be created for you to read over and sign at pick-up. The report will be added to your child’s file). If there is serious injury, 911 and you (the parent) will be notified immediately.
- What if my child doesn’t want to take a nap?
We are required by law to have the children lay on mats/cots for a nap or rest for a period of time. If your child does not nap, he/she may be given a book to read or other quiet activity during nap/quiet time. We encourage you to familiarize yourself with our nap/quiet time, so you may choose to drop your child off after nap or pick him/her up before nap, if you prefer.
- What if my child isn’t hungry/doesn’t eat?
We are required by law to serve your child a meal at meal times and a snack at snack times. Because of the cost incurred, we must charge for every meal/snack served. We encourage you to familiarize yourself with our meal times. This may help you determine whether or not to feed your child right before drop-off, for example.
If you are concerned your child may not be eating with us, we are happy to provide for you a report of what he/she ate, how much, and what time in the form of a “Sunshine Report”. Please request this at drop off. In addition, we encourage you to discuss any concerns with your center’s Director, so that she may work with you to resolve any concerns.
- Do you offer a military discount?
If you or your spouse is in the military, please visit www.naccrra.org to find out how you may qualify for child care with us for little or no out-of-pocket expense.
- What is NACCRRA?
NACCRRA stands for National Association of Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies. Through NACCRRA you will be able to access valuable resources to find, evaluate, or help pay for high quality child care in your area. We encourage you to visit www.naccrra.org for more information.
- How do I sign up for NACCRRA?
Please visit www.naccrra.org, click on “child care for military families” on the top right then select your applicable branch to learn more.
- Can I use my NACCRRA credit to purchase meals?
NACCRRA only pays for the actual child care. Your credit may be applied to weekly passes or hourly child care. Meals must be purchased separately, out-of-pocket.
- Can I combine my NACCRRA hours with hours I purchase out-of-pocket?
You may apply your NACCRRA credit towards the purchase of weekly passes, hourly packages, or hourly care and pay any difference out-of-pocket; or save any remaining balance to be applied at a later time within the same month.
For example, if your NACCRRA credit is $200 per month, you may purchase a 60-hour package for $255. In this case, your $200 credit would be applied and you would be responsible for the remaining $55 plus any snacks or meals.
If you purchased a 20-hour package for $115 with the same $200 credit, you would have a remaining credit of $85 that would have to be used by the time the next month’s credit arrives. If it is not used, it will be lost.
- Why do my hours “zero out” every month?
NACCRRA requires that your monthly credit be applied to the month in which it is approved and may not be rolled over. If your credit was used to purchase those hours for the month it is approved, we cannot roll over those hours.
For example, if you receive a credit of $200 and you purchase a 40-hour package for $190, but only use 35 hours before your next credit is applied, then you will lose the remaining 5 hours, because they were purchased with your credit for that particular month and cannot be rolled over to the following month.
- What happens if I have NACCRRA hours and I purchase hours out-of-pocket? Do they still get “zeroed out”?
We recommend that you keep your NACCRRA hours separate from hours you purchase out-of-pocket. We can keep two separate cards for you. One will have the hours purchased with your NACCRRA credit and the other hours purchased out-of-pocket. That way we will only use your second card when the first (NACCRRA) card runs out.
For example, if you purchase a 60-hour package for $255 using a $200 credit and $55 out-of-pocket, 47 hours ($200/4.25) will be placed on the first card and 13 ($55/4.25) on the second. This will keep hours purchased out-of-pocket from being zeroed out.
- When is the NACCRRA credit applied?
You are informed on your first visit after we receive it and asked how you would like to apply it. It usually arrives between the 15th and 20th of every month.
- What kind of license do you carry?
We currently hold a License to Operate a Child Care Facility issued by the Department of Children and Families. We are also one of the few child care facilities approved by the National Association of Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies (NACCRRA) for military families.
- How long have you been in business?
Kids by the Hour was established on May 1, 2003.
- Are diapers and wipes provided?
Diapers and wipes are not included in your tuition. Please leave sufficient diapers and wipes in a labeled bag for your child’s visit with us. He/she will be changed as needed. If it is necessary to use our own supply of diapers and wipes, you will be charged $1.50 per change.
For your convenience, you may leave a pack of diapers and/or wipes labeled with your child’s name that will only be used for his/her changes. We will inform you when they are running low.
- Do you care for disabled or special needs children?
Absolutely! We accept any and all children as long as we are able to accomodate and care for
them.
68. What ages do you care for?
We care for children ages 1-12. If you are seeking full-time care for an infant 0-11 months, please email kidsbythehour@yahoo.com.
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As of August 14, 2010