List of 12 frequently asked questions.

• What are the standard arrival and dismissal procedures? What happens if I will be late picking up my child?

  Arrival
  Please park in the lot adjacent to the Primary School Building and escort your child to the ELC classroom. Upon arrival in the classroom, parents/guardians must sign the entry sheet and escort their child to their cubby to organize their coat and other belongings. 
  
  Dismissal
  

  Please park and enter the Primary School building to sign out and assist your child in gathering his or her belongings. Please do not wander through the building or playgroun, as the ELC shares its facilities with Fay's Primary School.
  
  Late Pick-up
  The ELC enrollment agreement allows parents to select the level of care for their child, including full-day or half-day care and morning and/or afternoon care. If you will be late picking up your child due to an emergency or unplanned occurrence, please notify the ELC as soon as possible with your expected time of arrival. A late fee will be charged. 

   

• How will I be notified if the Early Learning Center is closed due to weather conditions or other circumstances, delayed openings, or early dismissals?

  Parents will be notified by phone of school cancellations, delayed openings, and early dismissals due to inclement weather. When Fay School is closed because of inclement weather, the Early Learning Center is also closed. School cancellations are broadcast on WBZ TV Channel 4, WCVB TV Channel 5, WHDH TV Channel 7, and WFXT TV Channel 25. Messages regarding delayed openings and cancellations are also recorded on the School’s switchboard and posted on the School’s website.
  
  Parents should use their own best judgment in deciding whether to keep their children at home or to pick them up early from school due to bad weather.
  
  

  Parents should be sure to verify the accuracy of their contact information on the School website and update information as needed to ensure the Early Learning Center’s ability to reach them when necessary.

  
  
  

• What should my child wear to school?

  Children at the Early Learning Center participate in a range of experiences throughout the day that can often be messy or physical in nature. Your child should come to school with dressed in clothing that will allow for changes in the weather, enable him or her to move freely on the playground and get dirty.

  
  Parents must provide an complete set of additional clothing (labeled with the child's name) that will be used if needed. 

• What do I need to know about ELC Field Trips?

  Field Trips for children will be offered throughout the year, both on and off campus. We will provide famiies with details in advance. Any trips off campus will require parents to complete a permission slip in advance. 
  
  When needed, we will ask for parent volunteers to help chaperone field trips. We are required by law to process a standard background check for any parent chaperone in advance. Please log into MyELC and go to the MyELC group page to download the "Consent for Background Check".
  

• Who do I notify if my child will be absent or will need to be picked up early?

  Please notify the Early Learning Center by 9:00 a.m. if your child will not be attending that day or if you will need to pick up your child before the normal departure time. Parents must sign out their child at the ELC office.
  
  Whenever possible, please notify your child's classroom teacher or the ELC Office in advance if you are planning days off in advance. 
  
  

• How do I find out about my child's activities and progress?

  Parents are kept up to date on their child's experiences and progress in a number of ways:
  
  Daily Notes will be posted on the MyELC web page that will provide a brief summary of the daily activities the children have been involved in.
  
  Communication Notebooks are used to share messages, observations, and questions between teachers and parents.

  
  Parent-Teacher Conferences will be scheduled at least twice a year. These conferences will provide time for more in-deth discussions between parents and teachers about each child's development progress.
  
  

• What does the Early Learning Center provide for the children's rest time?

  The Early Learning Center provides each child with a sheet for his or her rest mat during rest time. Children may also bring a small blanket and stuffed animal for their own use. Children should not bring items such as jewelry, toys, or candy. 

• How can I get involved as a new Early Learning Center parent?

  Parent involvement in our community enriches the experience for our families, our students, and our teachers. Some of the best ways to become involved include offering to read to a class, being a chaperone on a field trip, or helping to organize a special celebration.
  

  
  Please speak with your child's teacher for more information about opportunities to be a parent chaperone on field trips.

• What food services are provided to children during a typical day at the Early Learning Center?

  Lunches and snacks are provided daily. Meals will typically consist of soup, sandwiches, fruit, and fresh vegetables. Occasionally, dessert will also be offered. Snacks will include vegetables, fruit, crackers, cheese, and special treats on special days.

• What happens if my child becomes ill during the school day?

  The school nurse will attempt to contact parents regarding any illness or injury, regardless of severity. In the event of a serious emergency, an ambulance will be called, the child will be taken to the nearest hospital, and at least one parent will be notified immediately.

  
  If the Early Learning Center is unable to reach the parents/guardians, designated emergency contacts, or the child’s physician in circumstances that warrant immediate attention, the Fay School physician will be consulted to coordinate appropriate care.
  
  

  It is essential that parents keep emergency contact information up to date. The Early Learning Center must have current home, work, and cell phone numbers for parents/guardians, day care providers, or others (relatives, friends, or neighbors) who routinely assume temporary care of the student if the child’s parent(s) cannot be reached. Parents can add emergency contact information on their MyFay contact card after logging into the Fay School MyELC web site. 

   

• What days are the Early Learning Center closed?

  The Early Learning Center is open year-round and is closed only on the following national holidays:

   

  New Year’s Day

  Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

  Presidents’ Day

  Patriots’ Day

  Memorial Day

  Independence Day

  Labor Day

  Columbus Day

  Thanksgiving Day
  Thanksgiving Holiday (the Friday after Thanksgiving Day)

  Christmas Day

   

• What are the hours of operation of the Early Learning Center?

  The Early Learning Center is open from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. each day, in the following segments:

   

  7:00 am - 9:00 am             Morning Care (additional fee)

  9:00 am - 4:00 pm             Program Day (half day ends at 12:00 p.m.)

  4:00 pm - 6:00 pm             Afternoon Care (additional fee)