Q: What age range do you accept?

We only accept students who are 24 months or older.

If you are looking for infant care, Dream Big Daycare, which is down the street from Healthy Toddlers Care accepts 15 months and up. Please contact Makisha at 619-382-4302 or email her at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

Q: Do you accept part-time enrollments? I was considering using a childcare service for two or three days a week.

Yes, we now offer two part-time options for parents working from home. (Option A: Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays  & Option B: Tuesdays and Thursdays)

 

Q: What are your hours?

Our new hours are from 8 am to 5 pm. 

Q: What is the student-to-teacher ratio?

On some days, our student-to-teacher ratio may be six-to-one.  And it is regularly as low as three-to-one.  Our extensive network of caregivers provides valuable support for our children. Our qualified, diverse team includes our staff, SDSU interns, and the parents and adult son of our director, Bridgette Moss. We also have SDSU volunteers. All adults undergo the required background check to ensure our children’s safety.

 

 

Q: Do you have a sibling discount?

No, our rates are based on enrollment, not attendance.

Q: What is the difference between Healthy Toddlers Care and a childcare center?

As a family childcare home, we provide care in a large ranch house in a quiet suburban setting. Childcare centers are larger, more commercial enterprises. It is often easier for children to transition to care when it is offered in a home when they are under three. With limited enrollment, we have a smaller staff and fewer turnovers. And we have a higher teacher-to-student ratio than many larger facilities. 

While we may be smaller than a childcare center, we still meet or exceed all state requirements. These include background checks for all adults, first aid and CPR training, and staff and interns with a BA in child development or currently enrolled in college and studying child development.

 

Q: What is a typical day at Healthy Toddlers Care?

Here at Healthy Toddlers Care, we understand the importance of offering a variety of structured and unstructured activities. Each day is filled with 30-minute blocks developed to meet all your child’s academic, physical, and social needs. These blocks include two or more hours of educational programs, one hour of health and fitness, one hour of structured play, one or more hours of free play, one-to-two hours of rest, two nutritious, home-cooked meals, plus one healthy snack. 

To learn more about your child’s activities, click below to view our calendar. 

 

Q: Is my child required to have immunization?

Yes, your child will not be enrolled without a current immunization record. The State of California law requires that all parents keep current immunization records and provide an up-to-date copy for their childcare provider. We review our files regularly and request parents to update when necessary.

 

Q: Do you accept government assistance programs that help with the cost of childcare?

Yes, we accept YMCA and CDA.

 

Q: Do you provide meals?

Yes, we provide breakfast, lunch, and two healthy snacks. Healthy Toddlers Care places a big emphasis on teaching healthy eating habits. This is reflected in the foods served at every meal. The menu always includes fresh fruit, vegetables, grains, protein, and water, water, water ;-) 

Students are discouraged from bringing their own lunches or snacks unless they are picky eaters or have special needs. 

 

Q: Do the children watch television?

We don’t use the television for babysitting! However, television can be both entertaining and educational. We use television to support our academic programs and some of our physical activities, such as when we are learning music and/or movements. Television can open up new worlds for kids, allowing them to travel the globe, learn about different cultures, and gain exposure to ideas they may never encounter in their community. Television reinforces our lessons, especially for those children who are visional learners.

 

Q: Do I have to pay for childcare for the days my son or daughter is on vacation, sick, etc.?

Yes. Tuition is calculated for the whole year, including holidays and school breaks. This amount is split evenly over twelve months. We do not discount your child’s absence, such as illness or personal vacations. We often have a waiting list of students seeking to enroll, and it wouldn’t make sense to reduce your payment when another child could be enrolled and paying the full amount. So your regular monthly charge holds your child’s spot at Healthy Toddlers Care. In summary, you are responsible for full payments regardless of how many days your child attends each month.

 

Q: Do you accept students who are not potty trained?

Yes, children must not be potty trained before entering Healthy Toddlers Care. We will potty train your child. We charge an additional $25 monthly for children two and older who need training. Once this goal is achieved, your rates will decrease. While a child is going through potty training, his/her parents must provide diapers, pull-ups, diaper wipes, and extra clothing changes.

 

Q: Are there males on-site?

To shake off any preconceptions about gender and develop a balanced view of society, children need both male and female role models in their early years. So we are firmly committed to making Healthy Toddlers Care more representative of the population by recruiting more male childcare professionals into our environment. 

 

Q: How long are naps each day?

Each child will nap (or lie down) for at least an hour daily. We understand infants may have a different schedule but will we work with them to follow our schedule.

 

Q: Do you have a curriculum?

Yes, we have a progressive curriculum reflecting current early childhood program best practices. Every child needs to master basic skills before entering kindergarten. These skills include recognizing letters, words, sounds, numbers, colors, shapes, directions, and patterns. In addition, preschool students need basic skills in counting, matching, and penmanship, as well as developing fine and gross motor skills.

 

Drop-In Request: 

Drop-ins: we may sometimes accommodate a parent for an odd day when care is needed.  This age ranges from 16 months to 12 years of age. Sometimes we do drop-ins for trial runs. A drop-in schedule is at least 20 hours per week with a minimum of 2 hours. Drop-in rates are $100 a day for infants, $75 for toddlers, and $50 for school-age children who only need service for the holiday break and school closing days. We serve families whose students attend Foster, Clay, and Hardy Elementary schools. 

 

Do we provide food menus?

We provide healthy meals throughout the day but do not provide a weekly or monthly food menu.

 

What kind of foods do you provide?

We usually provide fruit and veggie bowls with a carb for snacks; for lunch, we offer a variety of options for students (pasta, rice, beans, corn, pizza, etc.) so that everyone can find something they enjoy. We accommodate all students.

  • We do not provide fish sticks or chicken nuggets.
  • We do not provide frozen foods; all meals are prepared fresh daily.
  • We do not provide milk or juice; children can access unlimited water.

Do we provide daily student reports?

No, we do not provide daily student reports, but we provide the following:

  • Daily photos through our family app
  • Boo-Boo Report, if a child is injured, ill, or we may notice any other symptoms.
  • Behavior Report

Do you accept government programs? 

Yes, we accept YMCA and CDA, and parents are responsible for paying a copayment for the fees not provided through the state. We no longer accept NACRRA (military/service funding). Please prepare to pay $ 200 a month for a family fee/copayment.

Early Pick up:

We are flexible when scheduling doctor’s appointments or vacations, but please pick your students up by 1 pm. This will help alleviate any disruptions to our program.

Late drop off:

We want students to arrive by 9 am to participate in our daily activities. If you have a doctor’s appointment, the student must arrive by 12 pm. Noon is our cut-off time for late drop-offs. This will help alleviate any disruptions to our program. 

No Outside Toys:

 Yes, it is vital not to bring toys to school. There are many reasons for this, including:

  • Toys can be a distraction in the classroom. They can take away from learning time and cause problems if they are not shared or broken.
  • Toys can be a safety hazard. They can be a choking hazard for young children and cause other injuries.

How do we disciple our students?

There are many ways to discipline students, and the best approach we found is to be respectful. We understand that our students are learning, and it is a process. Therefore, we treat them with respect by doing the following:

  1. Removing the student from the situation for a short period. 
  2. Talking to them calmly and respectfully, even if you are angry. 
  3. And asking them to breathe and take a minute to calm their body.
  4. Asking them to explain the situation. 
  5. This helps them to learn to express themselves. 

It is important to note that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to discipline. The best approach will vary depending on the individual student and the situation. However, by following the above principles, we continue to create an environment where students feel safe and respected and are motivated to learn.

Mandatory for your child to tour our School:

Families interested in enrolling their child into our school must tour with their child. This is a common practice, allowing the child to see the school and meet the staff in a relaxed setting. It also allows the child to get a feel for the school and helps build excitement for the start of school.