BUZYTOTS

Parent Handbook & Policies

Our Philosophy

At BuzyTots, our goal is to provide a safe, healthy, caring, and age-appropriate learning environment where children can learn, explore, grow, and have fun. We believe children learn best through play. Play supports children's growth and development while giving them opportunities to use their imagination, explore their environment, build self-esteem, develop independence, and learn social and practical skills. Our program provides children with opportunities for both structured learning and free play throughout the day.

Hours of operation

Monday–Friday from 8:00 AM–6:00 PM

Clothing and personal belongings

For outdoor play, children must wear closed-toe shoes with Velcro straps or other secure closures.

  • Shoes with laces, flip-flops, or sandals are not permitted for daycare.
  • Please provide a sweatshirt or lightweight jacket for unexpected changes in weather.
  • Please provide two complete extra sets of clothing for your child.
  • All clothing and personal belongings brought from home must be placed in a properly labeled bag with your child's name.
  • Please label all personal belongings clearly.
  • Children should not bring toys from home. BuzyTots provides plenty of age-appropriate toys, materials, and activities for children to enjoy.


Diapers, supplies, and meals

BuzyTots provides the following at no additional charge:

  • 2-inch cushioned nap mats with fitted sheets
  • Flannel blankets
  • Sippy cups
  • Sunscreen
  • Diapers
  • Wipes
  • Diaper rash cream
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • 2 Snacks
  • Early light dinner


Brands We Provide

Diapers: Huggies, sizes 2–6
Wipes: Mama Bear fragrance-free or Huggies
Diaper rash cream: Desitin
Diaper care: Baby Vaseline with diaper changes to help prevent rashes
Lotion: Baby Aveeno lotion for dry skin, particularly during winter
Sippy cups: NUK and Tommee Tippee
Sunscreen: Thinkbaby

If your child has allergies, sensitive skin, or you prefer different brands for any other reason, parents must provide the preferred products.

Items Parents Provide

Parents are responsible for providing:

  • Formula
  • Bottles
  • Pacifiers
  • Pull-ups

Food and nutrition

BuzyTots provides nutritious meals and snacks throughout the day.

We do not provide juice, canned foods, or sugary snacks.

Frozen foods are limited to:

  • Eggo waffles as a backup breakfast
  • Peas
  • Mini cheese pizzas as backup snacks

All fruits and vegetables are organic.

Our grains include:

  • Organic whole wheat
  • White rice
  • Brown rice
  • Quinoa

Beverages Provided

BuzyTots provides:

  • Organic whole milk
  • Organic whole A2 milk
  • Organic unsweetened almond milk
  • Reverse-osmosis filtered water

Meals and snacks are served according to the daily schedule.

If you bring your child shortly before a scheduled mealtime, please feed your child before dropping them off.

Infant Food

For children under 12 months of age, BuzyTots provides vegetarian infant food based on a parent-approved menu.

All foods must be introduced and tried at home before being served at BuzyTots.

Parental Payment Responsibilities

The following are required at the time of enrollment:

  1. Annual registration/materials fee
  2. Deposit equal to one month's tuition
  3. First month's tuition
  4. Prorated weekly for a partial-month start only. The final month of enrollment is not prorated.
  5. After enrollment, monthly tuition is due on the first day of each month.

Late Payments

A $10 per day late charge will be added beginning after the 3rd of the month, including weekends.

Parents are responsible for arranging payment in advance if they will be traveling or otherwise unavailable to make their regular payment.

Payment Methods

Payment may be made by:

  • Cash
  • Check
  • Zelle

Make checks payable to:

BuzyTots LLC

Zelle payments may be sent to:

(408) 771-9934
Registered name: BuzyTots LLC

Attendance & Payment

Tuition is based on your child’s reserved spot, rather than the number of days attended. Full tuition is due each month, including scheduled closure days, holidays, and days your child is absent, as spot remains reserved for your child.

Returned Checks

A $35 service charge will be assessed for each returned check.

Late pickup policy

BuzyTots closes promptly at 6:00 PM.

A late pick-up fee of $15 for every 10 minutes will be charged for children picked up after the contracted closing time. The late fee will be added to the family's account and is payable with the next regular childcare payment.

Termination of Childcare Services

Parents must provide at least 31 days' written notice by email or text message when planning to terminate childcare services.

Parents are responsible for payment of the full childcare fees through the final date of care.

The deposit will be refunded by check on the child's final day of care, subject to any applicable outstanding balance or other agreed-upon charges.

Parent and Authorized Pickup Policy

BuzyTots must have prior written authorization before releasing a child to anyone other than a parent or the child's authorized parent/spouse.

Authorization may be provided through:

  • The emergency form
  • Email
  • Written or documented authorization provided at drop-off

The person picking up the child must have proper identification available.

Your child will not be released without appropriate identification and authorization.

Separated or Divorced Parents/Guardians

Either parent may pick up the child unless BuzyTots has a copy of a valid court order on file that restricts that parent's visitation or pick-up rights.

Holiday, Vacations, and Absences

Full tuition is due for all observed federal holidays, closed days, and winter break totaling 24 days. If you need to reserve your child's space during an absence of six weeks or longer, arrangements will be discussed with parents on a case-by-case basis.

Full tuition is also due for all child absences. No tuition credit is provided for:

  • Family vacations
  • Child illness
  • Changes in a parent's work schedule
  • Other personal absences


Provider Sick Days / Temporary Closure

BuzyTots may occasionally need to close for 2–5 days due to the provider's illness or other health-related circumstances when necessary to safely operate the childcare program. Parents will be notified as soon as reasonably possible if a temporary closure is necessary. These provider sick days are considered necessary program closure days, and tuition will remain due for these days. No tuition credit or refund will be provided for temporary closures due to provider illness.


Emergency Procedures

Emergency Phone/Text: (408) 771-9934

If the home remains safe during an emergency, we will remain in the home until children can be picked up by an authorized person listed on their emergency form.

If the home becomes unsafe because of a fire, earthquake, or other emergency, everyone will evacuate through the safest available exit.

Depending on the circumstances, our evacuation location will be:

  • The backyard next to the play structure, or
  • The Panda Express parking lot

The location selected will depend on which area is determined to be safer at the time of the emergency.

Parents should ensure that emergency contact information and authorized pick-up information are kept current.

Mandated Reporting

As a childcare provider, BuzyTots is a mandated reporter and is required by law to report suspected child abuse or neglect to the appropriate authorities, including Child Protective Services, as required by law.

Illness and Medication Policy

A copy of each child's immunization record is required by the first day of childcare.

Immunization records must be kept current and updated as required.

Parents must notify BuzyTots if their child has been ill during the night or over the weekend.

Parents will be notified if their child becomes ill during the childcare day.

Children may attend childcare when experiencing minor illnesses, such as a common cold, provided they are otherwise well enough to participate in the daily routine and meet applicable childcare health requirements.

BuzyTots cannot care for a child who is experiencing significant symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, a fever above 101°F, or a contagious illness requiring exclusion.

If a child develops concerning symptoms during the day, parents will be notified and may be required to pick up their child immediately.

The child may be separated from the other children as appropriate.

Symptoms Requiring Parent Notification and/or Exclusion

These may include:

  • Diarrhea, including loose, watery, or mucus-filled stools
  • Repeated vomiting, particularly when accompanied by fever
  • Pink eye/conjunctivitis until the applicable treatment and return requirements have been met
  • Hepatitis or tuberculosis
  • A serious accident or illness
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Convulsions
  • Loss of consciousness
  • Severe pain or discomfort
  • Being too ill to participate in the normal daily routine
  • Any other condition requiring exclusion under applicable childcare health requirements

Medication

Parents must provide written authorization for every medication that BuzyTots is asked to administer, including prescription and over-the-counter medications.

The appropriate authorization form must be completed and kept on file.

Parents must provide medication in the original dispenser/container and provide any equipment necessary to administer the medication safely and at the proper dosage.

Returning to Childcare After Illness

A child may return to childcare when their condition meets applicable childcare health requirements and their presence will not endanger the health of other children.

Generally, the child should:

  • Be fever-free for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication
  • Have no vomiting or diarrhea for at least 24 hours
  • Have received antibiotics for at least 24 hours when required for a bacterial infection such as strep throat
  • Have no significant eye discharge associated with conjunctivitis
  • Be past the contagious stage of an illness when applicable
  • Feel well enough to participate in the normal daily routine

Applicable state and local health requirements will take precedence over this policy when they establish different requirements.

Discipline and guidance policy

BuzyTots believes that children learn best in a positive, supportive environment.

The need for discipline is minimized because:

  • Infant/toddler and preschool rooms contain plenty of age-appropriate materials.
  • Activities and materials are appropriate for the children's developmental stages.
  • Adult-to-child ratios provide appropriate supervision.
  • Children are not forced to perform beyond their developmental abilities.

When inappropriate behavior occurs, our approach focuses on teaching and guidance rather than punishment.

Depending on the situation:

  • Children are redirected toward appropriate activities or behaviors.
  • Expectations and limits are explained clearly.
  • Limits are reinforced using a firm but calm voice.
  • In more serious situations, a child may be removed from the immediate situation and given an opportunity to calm down and regain self-control.

Physical punishment is never used at BuzyTots.

No adult or child is permitted to physically punish another child.

Our goal is to help children understand appropriate behavior, develop self-control, learn to solve problems, and treat others with respect.