Summit Children’s Center Parent Guide

Choosing a daycare for your child is an extremely important decision.  At Summit Children’s Center, we take every precaution to ensure the safety of your children, family, and our staff.    The Summit Children’s Center Parent Guide was created to provide the information you need to stay informed.  The guide outlines our policies and some of the most frequently asked questions.

Parent Information Guide Summit Childrens Center

SCC Center Parent Guide

The Summit Children’s Center Parent Guide was created to provide our parents with the information that they need regarding the general rules and operations of Summit Children’s Center.  It is our goal that each parent has a full understanding of our policies and if there are questions, a reference for them to come to for information.  If you have questions that are not addressed in our Summit Children’s Center Parent Guide, please do not hesitate to contact Contact Us

LOCATIONS

Summit Children’s Center is now located at 800 SE Church Rd. in Lee’s Summit, MO.

HOURS OF OPERATION

Summit Children’s Center is open from 6:30am-6:00 pm M-F.

HOLIDAYS

Summit Children’s Center is closed on the following holidays:  New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, the day after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.  Parents will be charged for these holidays as we offer paid holidays to all staff – full and part-time employees.

In addition to the above set holiday closings, we may include additional days during the Christmas/New Year’s holiday weeks.  You will be notified well in advance if we close any additional days beyond Christmas and Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day.

BAD WEATHER CLOSINGS

If weather conditions occur which may pose a threat to those traveling to our center, we will close until those conditions improve. Generally, we do not close due to weather conditions unless they are very severe.  We will notify you of any closings via email.

**Parents pay for the days we close for bad weather because the teachers are paid for these days.


TUITION

Tuition payments are due every Monday for the current week.  Your tuition will be considered late as of Wednesday morning and you will be assessed a daily late fee until your balance is paid.  We utilize a childcare management software system called SmartCare.  This app will help parents and SCC admin to track attendance, tuition payments, and other useful information.  All parents must download the app (from your App Store) and create an account.  Both parents must do this and both parents must set up individual accounts on their app using their email.

You can track your tuition charges and payments on the Smartcare App.  You will also pay your weekly tuition through your app.  You can pay with your bank account, debit or credit card.  In addition, you can set up an auto-pay option which will pay your weekly tuition every Monday.  This is a great way to avoid missing the deadline and incurring late fees.  Please note that should you use a credit card to pay tuition on Smartcare, you will incur a small credit card fee in addition to your tuition.  Using your bank information will cost you no additional fees.

You are responsible for tracking your account on your Smartcare App and making tuition payments in a timely manner.  Please ask if you have any questions or need assistance with your app!

  1. Late Payments: Weekly tuition payments are due on Mondays, however, we will accept payments through Tuesday evening.  Payments made after Tuesday evening will be considered late.  There is a $5 penalty per day beginning on Wednesday mornings until tuition is paid.  When tuition becomes one week late there will be a $10 per day late fee until it is paid.  Please note that if your tuition becomes over two weeks past due, your enrollment will be suspended until your account is in good standing.
  2. Tuition Increases: You can expect an annual tuition increase every Spring.
  3. NSF checks: When a payment is returned or rejected through Smartcare, your account will automatically be assessed a $30 fee.  You are responsible for resubmitting your tuition in a timely manner to avoid late fees.
  4. Extended Hour Fees: Parents of school-agers will be charged for early release days and no school days.  These extra fees will be added to your regular weekly tuition and will be due during the week they are incurred.  Early release days are $5 extra per day.  No school days are $20 extra per day.

ENROLLMENT

  1. Eligibility: SCC cares for children ages 6 weeks through 12 years old.   We do not require that children be potty trained before enrolling, however, we do require that they at least wear pull-ups to the center if they are over the age of 23 months.  Children over the age of 23 months cannot wear diapers to the center.
  2. Enrollment Status: Full-time applicants have the highest priority at SCC.  We do accept part-time applicants, however, there are special rules regarding enrollment.  In order to be enrolled as a part-time student, SCC must have another part-time match which equals a full-time position.  At SCC, we are very empathetic to those looking for part-time care as it is sometimes very difficult.  We try very hard to find a match for all of our part-time applicants.  It is possible that you may be asked to go full-time if we cannot find a match for your part-time schedule.
    1. Also, part-time families do have to designate what specific days their child will be enrolled for each week.  The days have to be the same each week and they cannot vary from this specific schedule unless they get approval from the director/owner.  However, they cannot “switch” days without paying a “drop-in” fee for that extra day.  Ex. If a family needs their “Tuesday, Thursday” child to come on a Friday instead of the Thursday they cannot simply switch days without paying a drop-in fee.  They would pay their regular weekly two-day rate PLUS a drop-in fee for the Friday, which could be as much as $50.  If you are a part-time family and do not understand this rule PLEASE ASK!!
  3. Enrollment Package: All parents receive an enrollment packet which contains all of the required forms.  Student enrollment forms must be completed and submitted to confirm your child’s enrollment.  Also included in the enrollment packet are medical forms, supply lists, menus, classroom schedules and a curriculum guide for your child’s room.

WAITING LIST

Applicants who are not immediately enrolled will be placed on a waiting list.  The waiting list will prioritize according to application date (the date on which the application is completed).  Once space becomes available, we will notify the applicant immediately.  You may contact the center Director to inquire about your waiting list status.


ORIENTATION

Once enrollment has been confirmed, we will then schedule a new student orientation.  During this visit, we will review our program, policies, procedures, and philosophy.  You will get a chance to meet your child’s teacher, the rest of the SCC staff and spend some time in your child’s classroom.

VACATION

Once you have been enrolled at SCC for 6 months, you will receive 2 weeks of free vacation time.  We ask that you give us advance notice of any vacation you plan to use.  This free time can be used for vacation, illness, visiting relatives, etc.  Before the initial six month period is over, you will be charged for any absences from the center.  After the six-month period, if you have used all of your 2-week free time, you will be charged for any absences from the center.  These vacation days will renew every year on your six-month anniversary date.

WITHDRAWAL

We require written notice two weeks in advance of your intention to withdraw enrollment from SCC.  You will be billed for this two-week period if you fail to provide this notice.

As the owner of Summit Children’s Center LLC, I, Angie Watkins, reserve the right to withdraw a student from the center at any time.   I will evaluate the situation and contact the parents immediately if the situation arises.

CHILDREN’S FILES

All parent/child information including medical forms, applications, and any other confidential information will be kept in individual files in the office area.  Only the Owner, Director and Office Manager will have access to that information.  Teachers are encouraged to create their own individual files for their classrooms containing information pertinent to the education of their students.  No confidential information will be contained in those files.  Parents may request access to the files at any time.


OPEN DOOR POLICY

We strongly encourage parent interaction at SCC.  Our goal is to involve parents in all aspects of their child’s daily activities.  Our door is always open.  Parents can drop in at any time to visit their children, talk with staff or simply observe.  We want parents to feel very comfortable at our center and very familiar with their child’s classroom.  Family interaction is the key to your happiness at SCC.

SIGNING IN AND OUT

Your child’s attendance will be tracked through our Smartcare system.  You will sign your child in and out each day using your app.  On your Smartcare app, you can access a QR code each day that will be used to sign in and out your child.  Located near the office area is a kiosk that will have a QR code on the home screen.  Simply pull up your code on your phone and hold it up to the kiosk screen.  Once it matches up, it will bring up your child/children and you simply click on them and press Ok.  There is a numeric code you can use which can be handy for family members to use when picking up your child.  You can assign this code when you set up your account.

  1. Age limit for persons allowed to take children from center: Anyone who comes to take a child from the center must be at least 16 years of age.  This person must also be on the list as someone who the parent gives permission to take their child from the center.  This list is in the child’s file.  We will enforce this rule.
  2. The chain of custody rule: All parents are required to drop their child off in the appropriate classroom each day.  A parent cannot drop their child off in the hallway, in the parking lot or anywhere else but in the child’s classroom.  Also, the parent must acknowledge the child’s teacher before leaving the center, so that the teacher is aware that the child is present.
  3. Late pick-up fees: Our business hours are 6:30am-6:00 pm Monday through Friday.  After 6:05 pm, if you have not picked up your child from the center, your account will be charged $1.00 per minute until your child is picked up.

ILLNESS

Your child should not come to SCC if any of the following occur:

  • Your child has a temperature of 100.0 degrees orally within 24 hours of attending SCC.
  • Your child vomits once within a 24-hour period of attending SCC.
  • Your child has two occurrences of diarrhea or abnormal bowel movements within a 24-hour period of attending SCC.
  • Your child’s eyes are red, glazed or contain discharge.
  • Your child’s ears are red, sore or discharging
  • Your child has a continuous cough
  • Your child has a contagious disease such as whooping cough, chicken pox, mumps, measles, etc. Please report this type of disease to SCC immediately.
  • Your child develops ringworm, lice or impetigo.
  • Your child should remain at home for 24 hours after starting an antibiotic for an infection

Your child may return to the center when symptoms disappear for a 24-hour period or with a physician’s note. When symptoms occur at the center

When your child gets sick at SCC, we will do the following:

  • Take the child’s temperature and report all symptoms to the person in charge.
  • Contact you and determine the appropriate course of action.
  • When we ask you to pick up your child due to illness, we expect you to arrive at the center within 60 minutes.

**ALSO, WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO USE OUR JUDGEMENT IN INDIVIDUAL CASES OF ILLNESS.  EACH CASE OF ILLNESS IS DIFFERENT FROM ANOTHER AND WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO DO WHAT IS BEST FOR ALL OF THE CHILDREN ENROLLED AT SCC.

Administering medication at SCC

SCC staff will administer medication to children according to the physician’s instruction on the medicine label.  Medication will only be administered at 11:00 am (once a day).  It is the responsibility of the parents to keep staff informed of the child’s daily medication needs.  You must complete a MEDICINE REQUEST form located in the medicine cabinet/or at the front desk in order for SCC staff to administer medication.

The following guidelines must be followed:

  • Prescription medication must have a pharmacy label with the child’s name on it.
  • Non-prescription medication such as Sudafed, Triaminic, etc. will be administered for up to three consecutive days. After such time, a physician’s note will be required to continue administering non-prescription medication.
  • All medication must be brought in its original bottle. Staff will always follow a physician’s instructions if they differ from the parent’s.
  • Medication will be sent home at the end of each week.
  • Fever reducers such as Tylenol, Advil, etc. will NOT BE ADMINISTERED by SCC staff.

Please notify the center immediately if your child is exposed to or contracts a communicable disease.  The following information needs to be provided:

  • Physician’s confirmation of the type of disease
  • Source of exposure
  • Child’s last visit to the center
  • Physician’s recommendation for the course of action for the child and center.

If a child is diagnosed with a communicable disease, notification will be posted in the center (the child’s name will not be used).  If your child is diagnosed as having one of the following diseases listed below, he/she may not attend the center for the specified number of days following the onset of illness.

Measles: 4 days

Mumps: 9 days

Chicken Pox: 7 days

German measles: 7 days


INJURY/ACCIDENTS

If your child is injured at SCC, staff will provide initial emergency care.  For more serious injuries, staff will initiate emergency first aid as required by the condition and call for help.  Staff will record all injuries on the classroom accident report.  Accident reports will also go in the child’s individual file.

When a child requires medical attention, the staff will notify the Owner or Director for assistance.  Next, parents will be notified of the situation.  You may be asked to provide transportation to the emergency room.  If you cannot be reached, a decision will be made by the Owner or Director as to whether to proceed to the emergency room via ambulance, center van or staff car.  We will continue to try to contact someone in the family for notification.

You will always be notified if your child receives an injury that is minor but more serious than a small scrape or bump.  You will never be surprised at the end of the day by your child’s condition or be left to discover injuries later in the evening after leaving SCC.

STATE REGULATIONS

Summit Children’s Center is licensed by the state of Missouri and complies with all regulations.  A copy of the Licensing Rules for Group Child Care Homes and Child Care Centers is available in the office area.  Our licensing representative is Joni Beem.  She can be reached at 816-778-6007 or [email protected] if you have any questions or would like to inquire about our history and licensing file.

SCC STAFF

All staff meets or exceeds the following:

  • The teacher/child ratio established by Missouri child care licensing regulations
  • Physical exam requirements
  • Child abuse and neglect screening requirements
  • Criminal background check requirements
  • At least 12 hours of continuing education in child care related studies per year
  • First aid and CPR training requirements

**All staff wear the SCC uniform.


EDUCATION PROGRAM

Summit Children’s Center has adopted the well-known and highly recommended preschool program known as The Emerging Language and Literacy Curriculum (ELLC).  ELLC is a program that provides developmentally appropriate language practices for preschool children.  ELLC addresses all developmental domains where all classrooms contain 11 learning centers, two-week theme units, and checklists for on-going progress monitoring consistent with child development and early childhood experiences.  Our goal is to prepare our preschoolers for success in kindergarten and give them a strong foundation in oral language and literacy with this scientifically based curriculum.

ELLC is approved by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education as one of four approved curricula for early childhood programs.

The basic structure of this program encompasses the following components:

  1. Theme-Based Learning: There are 22 key concepts addressed in two-week thematic units based on children’s literature.
  2. Learning Centers: Activities revolve around the current theme providing continuity and context for learning.  This time allows children to interact with peers in both associative and cooperative play schemes in the classroom.
  3. Circle Time Instruction: Direct teaching during circle time allows for specific concepts, vocabulary, language forms and information to be communicated by the instructor.
  4. Coordinated Teaching Structure: ELLC requires a team approach to teaching.  Group planning time is allotted in preparation for each unit.  Teachers are encouraged to coordinate activities and exchange ideas in an effort to enhance the program to its fullest.
  5. Parent Involvement: Parents are an integral part of ELLC. We believe parents should take an active role in their child’s education.  Student Evaluations will be offered at least once a year. Weekly newsletters will go out to each parent with important classroom updates, reminders and information.

With the changing of thematic units every two weeks, classroom learning center activities will also change.  We rely on our parents’ help in donating items for each thematic unit.  An ongoing donation list of specialty items will be updated as we move from theme to theme.  These are items that will enhance the learning environment related to our themes that cannot necessarily be purchased.

Enrichment programs

SCC offers special programs throughout the year.  These are programs geared to enrich and broaden their learning experience.  For example, SCC has recently incorporated two innovative practices into our curriculum guide.  Our toddler room is now using baby sign language to improve communication with our non-talkers.  As toddlers are learning to use words, sign language can help with their ability to communicate with their teachers as well as their parents.  It is a very useful tool in the learning process and can be instrumental with children who are dealing with slow language development or other learning disabilities.

Also, we are now incorporating beginners Spanish lessons into our everyday lesson plans. We will introduce words, concepts, and phrases to our circle time curriculum.

In addition, we offer programs to our parents that are conducted by outside sources at an additional cost.  They are optional and are usually offered to specific age groups.  They are Compuchild and JR Kids Karate.  Please check out the provided information regarding these programs.  They are a fun and educational addition to their experience at SCC and can help provide extra-curricular activities for your kids while taking the burden from the parents at night and on the weekends.

CLASSROOMS

We have 5 classrooms at Summit Children’s Center. Each classroom is designated for a specific age group.  Other considerations are made for children with special needs or circumstances.  Our goal is to place children in classrooms that suit their needs.  We try to be as flexible as possible when it comes to each child but for the most part, one year old’s are enrolled in our toddler room, 2 year old’s are enrolled in our 2’s room and so on.


FIELD TRIPS

Staff will be scheduling field trips for their individual classrooms.  Off-site field-trips are only scheduled for ages 4 and up.  The Director approves all field trips.  All parents are notified of any upcoming field trips through monthly newsletters, weekly lesson plans, and verbal communication.  You will be asked to sign a permission form before any and all field trips.  All parents are encouraged and very welcome to join us on field trips.

SCC staff considers the following when arranging field trips:

  • Developmentally appropriate
  • Arranging for transportation using the SCC vans or bus
  • Bringing first aid kit
  • Carrying an attendance list of all children
  • Taking frequent head counts
  • Utilizing the buddy system
  • Thoroughly monitoring all children
  • A complete check of SCC vans/bus after all children have evacuated
  • Keeping field trips short because children tire easily
  • Making sure that field trips do not conflict with meals

BIRTHDAYS

If it is your child’s birthday, you are welcome to bring birthday treats for your child and his/her class.  We encourage parents to come and celebrate with their child and his/her friends.  Our staff keeps track of all upcoming birthdays and will talk with parents about bringing snacks.  We ask that parents keep the treats simple as we do not allow actual birthday parties to take place at SCC. Also, treats brought into the center MUST BE PEANUT-FREE! They cannot have any kind of nuts or peanut butter in them. 

 TELEVISION

Each classroom schedules a “movie day” once a month.  This is viewed as a fun day and will often be accompanied by a pajama day, special snack day and/or sleeping bag day.  The kids will be asked to bring “G” rated movies only and the kids usually vote on which movies to watch throughout the day.  Any other random use of the television will only occur if there is an educational reason relating to our theme or curriculum objectives.


OUTDOOR PLAY

Children play outdoors for a minimum of 1 hour each day unless prevented by weather conditions or special medical reasons.  Weather conditions where the heat index is at a dangerous level or the wind chill is below freezing level would prohibit children from outdoor play.

The staff makes sure that each child is dressed appropriately before going outside.  Parents are responsible for providing appropriate clothing for outdoor play such as hats, coats, gloves, sunblock, etc.

Your child may stay inside if parents submit a doctor’s written request and there is space and available staff inside.

Staff maintains close monitoring of children outside.  They use this time as an extension of the classroom to participate in activities outdoors.  If children are on climbing structures there is always a staff member around keeping close tabs.

NAP AND REST TIME

Nap and rest time begins at 12:00 pm and ends at 2:30 pm.  SCC provides cots with sheets for children to nap and rest.  Children who do not fall asleep on the cot after 30 minutes are allowed to engage in quiet play (reading a book or coloring) while sitting on their cot.  Staff cannot keep a child awake during nap-time at the request of a parent.  All children are required to partake in nap-time with the exception of school-age children.

All sheets will be washed on a weekly basis and cots are sanitized periodically.  Parents are asked to bring a blanket for their child and pillows are optional.  Individual bedding will be sent home at the end of each week for cleaning.


CLOTHING

You will need to bring an extra change of clothing for your child to SCC.  This extra change of clothing will be kept in the child’s cubby.  Additional clothing such as coats and gloves may be necessary for outdoor play.  Staff will help you in deciding what and how much to bring.  Children need to be dressed for play and free from worry about ruining good clothes.  Accidents can happen and children tend to get dirty during outdoor play.

PERSONAL ITEMS

We ask that you do not bring toys from home to the center.  We cannot be responsible for any breakage or damage.  However, you are permitted to bring a special blanket or security item to help make your child feel at home for nap-time.  Please label all items with your child’s name.

TOILET TRAINING

We do not require that children be potty trained before enrolling at SCC.  However, we do require any child enrolled in our 2’s room to wear pull-ups on a daily basis.  We do not allow any diapers for any child over the age of 23 months.  Potty training will begin at the appropriate time for each individual child.  We require that all children moving into our 3’s room be potty trained so it is usually a focus in our 2’s room. 

HAND WASHING

Hand washing will take place before and after all meals, after outdoor play and after any special activities in which hands might get dirty.  Staff also follows this policy.  We feel this is the best way to prevent the passing of infectious diseases.  This is part of the daily routine.

MEALS AND SNACKS

We offer nutritionally balanced meals and snacks (morning snack, lunch and afternoon snack).  Food is prepared in our commercial kitchen facility by our own SCC cook.  All food is served in each classroom by staff.  All meals and snacks meet USDA requirements.

**Summit Children’s Center is a peanut-free facility.


DISRUPTIVE BEHAVIOR

At times, discipline is necessary for a child’s development.  At SCC, we have adopted a discipline policy that is one which encourages problem-solving, not punishment.  Our discipline policy is modeled after the Ozanam philosophy of “grace and accountability”.  Their B.I.S.T (Behavior Intervention Support Team) model for behavior management focuses on respectful discipline and developing caring relationships with children.  Many of the local school districts use the BIST model.  The BIST model enables staff to provide safe classrooms, develop relationships with students and partner with parents in this important process.

This philosophy encompasses a 5-step problem-solving method:

  1. Laying the groundwork
  2. Approaching an upset child
  3. Identifying problem behaviors
  4. Understanding and managing feelings
  5. Developing a plan for change

Instead of focusing on punishment, which can provoke aggressive behavior, damage self-esteem and promote other hostile emotions, we move toward problem-solving.  This allows children to be a part of the decision making when it comes to choosing how he or she is going to change to more positive behavior.  One of the key elements is using firm, positive and supportive communication.  This philosophy of discipline focuses on making children feel safe through supportive relationships with their teachers.

The teacher handbook includes many materials relating to BIST.  It is a very good tool, which helps teachers understand a child’s perspective.  Also, it offers many situational examples in which they may encounter.  It walks teachers through the process of the 5-step problem-solving method in these examples and exhibits the use of positive and supportive language.  In addition, teachers take part in on-going training and staff development throughout the year.  Training classes often focus on behavior management and offer additional support in this area.

Part of the problem-solving process is for the child to take some time to figure out how, together, we are going to change his/her disruptive behavior toward more positive behavior.  In simple terms, this is usually going to be a “time-out” period.  State regulations state that this period of separation should be based on the guideline of 1 minute for each year of the child’s age.

The following are types of discipline that will never occur at SCC:

  • Physical punishment including slapping, shaking, biting, spanking or pulling hair.
  • Humiliation, threats, shame, ridicule
  • Harsh, demeaning, or abusive language with profanity
  • Restriction of food, drink, rest or toilet privileges
  • Restriction of outdoor play time

Parents are welcome to read our teacher handbook at any time.  We encourage you to become familiar with our policies.

If there are persistent problems with a child which have not been resolved over a period of time, parents will be asked to work with the center to correct disruptive behavior.  If a sufficiently reasonable time period has passed with no improvement, SCC reserves the right to disenroll the child.


SAFETY

Safety is our #1 concern at LL.  All activities, field trips and outdoor play times are planned with safety in mind.  Staff relies on the following guidelines and procedures to ensure the overall safety of their program:

Equipment:

  • No detachable small parts that can cause choking
  • No rough or jagged edges
  • Unable to pinch or crush fingers and toes
  • No cords or strings over 12 inches long
  • Does not produce excessive noise or shoot projectiles of any sort
  • Free from hazardous chemicals

Classroom:

  • Furniture is safe and secure
  • Unused outlets have safety caps
  • Tile floors are free from water
  • Floors are free from tripping hazards
  • Safety mats are under climbers higher than 24 inches from the ground

Outdoor Play:

  • Playground equipment is safe and in good condition
  • Staff are located all over the playground area
  • Children on climbing equipment receive special attention
  • Children do not leave the playground area without staff supervision
  • Staff/Child ratios are maintained outdoors
  • Fencing material is in good condition with no way for children to get out of the play area
  • Children are not allowed on the playground without adequate staff supervision.

Coming and Going:

  • Children are only released to authorized individuals
  • Parents must have an entry code to get in the center
  • NO SMOKING POLICY

Smoking or the use of tobacco in any fashion is prohibited in the SCC building and on the playground area.

CHILD ABUSE SUSPICION POLICY

Missouri licensing law requires us to report immediately any suspicious incident of child abuse or neglect to the Missouri Division of Family Services.  The State may impose penalties for failure to report such incidents.

Staff will be informed of the Missouri Child Abuse law, which includes:

  • The legal definition of child abuse
  • Behavioral indicators of child abuse

Procedures for notifying management if a child appears to be an at-risk child


CARE CREDIT

If you wish to deduct your child care expenses for the year on your annual tax return, we suggest you keep good records of all tuition payments made (canceled checks, weekly bills).  At the beginning of the year, we can provide parents with a report totaling all child care expenses for the previous year (current tax year).

NOTICE TO PARENTS REGARDING IMMUNIZATIONS

Beginning December 1, 2015, all public, private and parochial day care centers, preschools and nursery schools shall notify the parent or guardian of each child currently enrolled in or attending the facility that the parent/guardian may request notice of whether there are children currently enrolled in or attending the facility for whom an immunization exemption has been filed.

If you would like to request this information, please contact me, Angie Watkins, Owner of Summit Children’s Center, and the information will be provided to you.  Please note, the name or names of individual children are confidential and will not be released.  Our response will be limited to whether or not there are children enrolled at our facility with an immunization exemption on file.

CLOSING

We are very happy that you have decided to join our family at Summit Children’s Center.  We hope this handbook has helped you understand our policies and procedures.  Please feel free to inform us of any important topics you would like to see addressed in this handbook.  This is an evolving process and we need and appreciate any comments and suggestions you might have.  We are here for you and want to make this a wonderful experience for you and your children.  Thank you!