3 months – 6 years old

Yes – we even accept younger babies if all vaccinations are in order.

Yes, we require all of our members to be vaccinated. 

We have a team of expert educators hand picked by our owner Keltse. They all are CPR and first aid trained and have an extensive experience in early childhood education.

Yes – we even have a dedicated area for naps.

These are some of the techniques we recommend to facilitate the separation process:

• Parents will first leave for a few minutes and then return, creating trust with the child. Soon, the intervals of the parent/guardian absence will increase, each time proceeded by a goodbye. Eventually, the parent will be ready to leave for the entire day.
• Consistency is key. Create your own routine that allows you and your child to experience a healthy goodbye. You may think it’s better to leave while your child isn’t looking, but to build and maintain trust it is very important to let your child know you are leaving and that you will return later.
• Once you leave, do not come back until pick-up. And remember, you are welcome to call us as often as you need to check on your child.

Children’s diapers will be checked at least every two hours and upon waking, and will be changed promptly when soiled or wet. Please note that we do not apply baby powder for safety and health reasons. Parents are to supply any diaper cream for their children. Diaper cream must be labeled with the child’s name for individual use only. A form must be completed granting permission to our staff to apply diaper cream.

Toilet training is a combined family-teacher effort. It is important that teachers and parents agree to the same toilet training plan in order to make the experience successful and as easy as possible. At Big and Tiny we are committed to working with you to make sure that toilet training is carried out in a manner that is consistent with your child’s physical and emotional abilities and needs.

Please bring a snack and lunch and water for your child. Big and Tiny has a “peanut sensitive” environment approach, so please be aware that all nuts, nut milks, nut oils, and nut butters are prohibited. This applies to all food including snacks and lunch. Please make sure all lunch boxes, bags, and containers are labeled with your child’s full name.

If you provide infant formula or breast milk, we have a refrigerator and bottle warmer for your convenience.

We use filtered bottled water dispensers for our students and take water breaks throughout the day.

Find the meal schedule below:

10:00 am: Snack

11:30 pm: Lunch

2:00 pm: Snack

Here is a list of personal items you are allowed to bring to the center:

• Extra clothing: Children have accidents and their clothes become dirty. Please make sure to include an additional set or two labeled with your child’s name
• Labeled diapers and wipes
• Sunscreen
• Diaper cream, if applicable
• Comforting toy for nap-time blanket or pacifier
• Medications, if applicable

We love birthdays and celebrating! Please notify the teachers of your child’s special day in advance. Although parties are not allowed during the program, you are welcome to bring some favors for the kids such as stickers, books, or healthy treats. At Big and Tiny we organize unforgettable parties on the weekends. Please contact us at events@bigandtiny.com or visit www.bigandtiny.com for more information.

Big and Tiny seeks to promote positive behavior in children by teaching self-control and informed choice-making. Teachers will try to anticipate and minimize situations of conflict, and they are given discretion to handle each situation that arises though positive strategies including:

• Redirecting the children’s behavior
• Giving acceptable and appropriate choices
• Giving verbal warnings to the child that a behavioris not acceptable
• Explaining to the child why a behavior is not appropriate
• Using positive language
• Looking for any underlying problems or sources of upset
• Depending on the case and age of children involved, the child may be removed from the area and given the opportunity to exercise self-control

If the unacceptable behavior continues, parents may receive a note about the child’s behavior in order to work together on a plan. Any form of corporal punishment, methods that incorporate shaming, humiliation or withholding of services or care are strictly prohibited.

If the child’s behavior becomes threatening to other children or staff members, or when implemented strategies have failed to work, Big and Tiny may recommend the family consult a behavioral therapist.

Our teachers and staff work diligently to prevent accidents. However, despite our best efforts accidents do happen. Our staff is Red Cross CPR and first aid certified and properly trained to react to these situations.

Teachers for each age group are responsible for daily safety inspections of their assigned area and equipment. Defective equipment will be removed or repaired as soon as possible to prevent injury. Small toy pieces or other objects that could pose a choking hazard to infants and toddlers will not be allowed in areas designated for children.

Bibs will not be left on babies when they are placed in cribs or while mobile due to the potential strangulation hazard. If your child uses a pacifier, you will need to provide at least two pacifiers and instructions for use.

You are required to have a medical insurance policy covering your child. If your child sustains a minor injury while at the studio (e.g., scraped knee), you will receive an Incident Report outlining the incident and course of action taken by the staff member. Minor wounds, such as cuts, scrapes, or bites, will be washed with liquid soap and cool, running water followed by rinsing. A dry bandage may be applied as appropriate. You will be contacted immediately if the injury produces any type of swelling, is on the face or head, or needs medical attention.

If a serious medical emergency occurs, the child will be taken to the hospital immediately by ambulance, and a staff member will contact you (or a designated emergency contact if you cannot be reached).

Families are expected to notify Big and Tiny regarding any existing food or environmental allergies before their child’s first day of school. Parents/guardians of children with diagnosed allergies or asthma are required to provide Big and Tiny with an individualized health care plan, signed by the child’s physician, detailing the child’s symptoms, reactions, treatments, care, and all necessary medication.

This information will be shared with our staff, posted in areas where food is prepared or served, and kept in your child’s file. It is important that we are aware of all allergies, not only those related to food. If your child’s allergy is life threatening, please let us know immediately so we can make the appropriate accommodations.

All “Epi-Pens” will be stored at the front desk, and must always be clearly labeled with your child’s name, class, and expiration date.

Big and Tiny has a “peanut sensitive” environment approach. If you are bringing your own food please be aware that this policy includes all nuts, nut milks, nut oils, and nut butters. This applies to all food including snacks, lunch, and/or cooking classes included in the program.

Despite our diligent efforts, it is impossible to eliminate all risk for children with food allergies. Some allergies are so severe that the presence of the allergen in proximity of the child may cause a reaction. Similarly, it is impossible to prevent children from sharing food or for an allergen to be brought into the center by a family member or child, despite our best efforts to educate families and raise awareness. Ultimately, parents/guardians will need to decide whether group care is appropriate for their child with allergies in light of the risks that cannot be eliminated.

New Screening Procedures Upon Arrival:

Including touchless thermometers to take everyone’s temperature upon entry. All staff are trained to perform visual health inspections. Clients will be sent home immediately at first signs of illness.

Personal Protective Equipment:

All Big and Tiny staff will wear face masks at all times. Gloves will be used to prepare meals and during snacks as well as toileting. All other non vaccinated adults entering the premises must wear a face-covering mask at all times.

Coronavirus Vaccination and Testing:

All Big and Tiny staff members are vaccinated from COVID-19 and are tested regularly. New families are required to get tested prior to enrolling unless they are vaccinated.

New Drop-In Procedure:

Staggered and designated times will be implemented to allow for safe social-distancing.

Limited Group & Class Sizes:

• Classes will be divided by age and each child will be assigned a specific group and time slot to create consistency. Same designated staff members and educators will be assigned to each group every day.
• Groups will be limited according to age, up to 15 kids.
• Spaces will be thoroughly disinfected after each and every group.
• Areas will be divided to allow social distancing during lunch/snack time and certain activities.

Cleanliness & Hygiene:

Staff, parents, and children are required to thoroughly wash hands throughout the day and disinfect upon entry. Hand sanitizing stations are conveniently provided. All toys, materials, and surfaces are disinfected after every use. A deep clean of the premises is performed every evening and additional cleaning throughout the day.

COVID-19 waiver:

All families are required to sign a COVID-19 waiver before the first day of school.