Parent Policies & Guidelines
Arrivals & Departures
For the safety of our students, children must be accompanied by an adult through the main entrance and to their classroom door at arrival and departure. Children may not leave through the playground gates or be lifted over the fence during pickup. To maintain a safe and secure environment, only adults should open and close classroom doors.
Child Safety & Security
To ensure the safety of every child, children will only be released to individuals authorized on the Child Information Card completed during enrollment or to individuals approved through prior arrangements with your child’s classroom teachers.
If someone other than a parent or usual pickup person will be picking up your child, please notify the classroom teachers in advance through Class Dojo. If the person picking up your child is unfamiliar to our staff, they will be asked to show a photo ID before your child is released. If we do not have prior permission for an alternative pickup person, we will need to contact you by phone before your child can leave the building.
Photo ID may also be required for parents who arrive after the 5:30pm departure time. A closing teacher who is unfamiliar with your family may be responsible for dismissal, and verifying identification helps us ensure your child is released safely.
The building is secure and remains locked at all times. Each family is provided with a unique code for safe entry during drop-off and pick-up.
Mealtime Protocols
The Discovery Center provides morning and afternoon snacks, as well as lunch, according to each program’s daily schedule. Menus are thoughtfully planned to provide well-balanced, nutritious options for young children.
Children are encouraged to build independence by serving themselves, helping pass food and drinks, practicing table manners, and cleaning up after meals. Mealtimes also provide an opportunity for children to engage in conversation, practice social skills, and connect with their classmates.
Food Service & Preparation
The Discovery Center is committed to providing healthy, nutritious meals and snacks that support the needs of young children. Our menus follow Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) guidelines and are carefully planned to offer a variety of balanced options. The weekly menu can be found on our website and the Class Dojo app.
Our center strives to be a nut-free facility and supports children with a variety of dietary needs through thoughtful menu planning and allergy awareness. Food labels are maintained for all products used in our program to ensure ingredients can be easily reviewed when needed.
To promote children’s safety, foods are prepared and served in age-appropriate ways to reduce choking risks. Fruits and vegetables are washed thoroughly, and items that require special preparation are cut or portioned before serving. Our staff follow safe food handling practices, including checking for and discarding expired items, and disposing of all food after it has been served.
Peanut/Nut-Free Policy
The number of children with severe peanut and tree nut allergies has increased significantly, and some allergies can be life-threatening. To help provide a safe environment for all children, The Discovery Center strives to maintain a peanut/nut-free program. We appreciate your partnership in supporting these efforts.
Food containing peanuts or tree nuts, or foods manufactured in facilities that also process peanuts or tree nuts, may not be brought into the building. If you or your child have eaten peanuts or tree nut products before arriving at school, please wash your hands and face thoroughly and wear clean clothing.
Homemade food items are not permitted for snacks, lunches, or celebrations. Families who wish to provide a birthday snack should first check with their child’s classroom teachers regarding allergies and dietary restrictions.
Outdoor Play
Outdoor play is an important part of each day at The Discovery Center and is considered an essential part of a well-rounded early childhood program. Weather permitting, children go outside every day.
Children will remain indoors only under the following circumstances:
The temperature or wind chill is 0°F or below, or the heat index is 90°F or above
Weather conditions, such as thunder, lightning, heavy rain, or excessive mud, unsafe air quality, make outdoor play unsafe
A child recovering from a respiratory illness or has a doctor’s written order to remain indoors (children recovering from other illnesses are expected to participate in outdoor play if they are well enough to attend school)
Illness
Helping maintain a healthy environment is a shared responsibility between families and staff. If your child becomes ill during the day, we will contact you promptly by Dojo or phone and ask that they be picked up as soon as possible.
When to Keep Your Child Home
Please keep your child home, or expect them to be sent home, if they have any of the following:
A fever of 100°F or higher within the past 24 hours
Vomiting within the past 24 hours
Diarrhea within the past 24 hours
An unexplained rash
Difficulty breathing
Mouth sores
Symptoms of a possible contagious illness, including pink eye, strep throat, or a fever accompanied by a sore throat, headache, or abdominal pain
Thick or heavy nasal discharge
Can not participate comfortable in routine activities
Need more care than the staff can give while they care for other children
Have been taking any antibiotics for less than 24 hours
Children recovering from a cold may attend if they are feeling well enough to participate in the day’s activities. However, children with worsening symptoms or significant nasal discharge should remain home until they are feeling better.
If Your Child Becomes Ill at School
A child who becomes ill while at The Discovery Center will be cared for in a separate area away from other children while remaining under the supervision of a staff member. We will attend to their immediate needs and contact a parent or authorized emergency contact to arrange a prompt pickup.
If your child is exposed to a contagious illness, families will be notified through Dojo communication. Please notify us as soon as possible if your child is diagnosed with a contagious illness. Knowing whether an illness is viral or bacterial helps us monitor symptoms within the classroom and communicate appropriately with other families.
When to Return to School
Children must meet the following requirements before returning to The Discovery Center after an illness:
Children who are sent home due to illness must remain home the following school day and may return only after they have been fever-free and symptom-free for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication.
The child must be well enough to comfortably participate in regular classroom and outdoor activities.
The child must no longer be contagious and should remain home until the illness is no longer likely to spread to others.
If an antibiotic is prescribed for a contagious illness, the child must complete 24 hours of medication before returning to school. If an antibiotic is prescribed for a non-contagious condition, the child may return when they are well enough to participate in regular activities.
These guidelines help protect the health of our students and staff while ensuring children are ready to return to the classroom.
Health & Sanitation
To help reduce the spread of illness, The Discovery Center follows routine health and sanitation practices, including:
Frequent handwashing by children and staff
Daily cleaning and sanitizing of classrooms and shared spaces using a bleach/water solution
Professional cleaning services throughout the week
Sanitizing toys, tables, bathrooms, and other high-traffic surfaces and areas
All teachers maintain current First Aid and CPR certification.
Medication & Prescription
Medications and topicals may be administered only when:
Written authorization is provided, including the medication, dosage, date, and time.
The medication is in its original pharmacy-labeled container with the child’s name and prescribing information.
The Discovery Center does not administer any type of oral over-the-counter medication. Parents should not administer over-the-counter medications to mask symptoms prior to bringing a child to the center, nor request the staff to do so while the child is in attendance. Over-the-counter medication will only be used to provide comfort along with a prescription medication or in cases of allergies, teething pain, immunizations or other minor ailments, as requested through the child’s pediatrician.
Medication forms are available through the Parent Portal on The Discovery Center website, and must be completed and signed before any medications can be administered by the center’s staff. This also applies to sunscreen, lip balm, hand cream, bug spray, and other similar products you may wish to provide for your child at school.
We recommend that a child receive the first dose of any medication under the supervision of a parent, in the event of an unexpected allergic reaction.
For every child’s safety, all medications are stored securely and are never kept in student cubbies or backpacks.
Hand Washing Procedures
Frequent hand washing is one of the most effective ways to help prevent the spread of germs and illness. Staff and children wash their hands with soap and warm, running water for at least 20 seconds using proper hand-washing techniques and dry their hands with a single-use paper towel.
Hand washing takes place throughout the day, including:
Before preparing, serving, or eating meals and snacks
After diapering, toileting, or assisting a child with toileting or nose wiping
After contact with bodily fluids or other potentially infectious materials
Diapering & Toilet Learning
Families of children who wear diapers should provide an adequate supply of disposable diapers and wipes. Children are changed in the bathroom area using a standing position that is more comfortable for them. Students and teachers wash their hands after every diaper change.
Children who are learning to use the toilet are supported in a way that is comfortable and developmentally appropriate. Toilet learning is planned in partnership with families to provide a consistent routine between home and school. We begin the process when a child demonstrates both the interest and readiness to do so.
Facility Cleaning
The center is cleaned by a professional cleaning service three times each week, typically on Tuesday and Thursday evenings and over the weekend. Staff also clean throughout the day and perform additional classroom cleaning on Monday and Wednesday evenings.
Daily cleaning includes tasks such as sweeping floors after meals, emptying garbage, vacuuming carpets, sanitizing toys, materials, and other classroom items as needed after use. Carpets and upholstered furniture are professionally cleaned every three months.
Behavior Guidance
We believe children learn best in an environment where they feel safe, respected, and supported. Our approach to behavior guidance focuses on teaching appropriate behavior, helping children develop self-control, and building the social and emotional skills they need to navigate everyday situations.
Our teachers use positive guidance strategies that encourage children to make responsible choices, solve problems, and develop healthy relationships with others. When conflicts arise, we work with children in a calm, respectful manner by helping them identify their feelings, understand the impact of their actions, and practice appropriate ways to respond. When needed, a child may be given time away from an activity to regain self-control before rejoining the group.
Our staff:
Creates a safe, engaging, and developmentally appropriate learning environment.
Sets clear, consistent, and age-appropriate expectations.
Uses positive language, encouragement, and redirection.
Models respectful behavior and effective problem-solving.
Helps children express their feelings, resolve conflicts, and develop independence.
Recognizes and reinforces positive behavior.
Treats every child with dignity, patience, and respect.
The Discovery Center does not use corporal punishment or any form of physical discipline. Staff will never use humiliation, threats, intimidation, ridicule, or shame to manage behavior. Food, physical activity, or bathroom routines will never be used as rewards or punishment. Children are never left unattended, placed in a locked or dark room, or disciplined by another child. We are committed to maintaining a safe, supportive environment.
If ongoing behavioral concerns arise, teachers will partner with families to develop consistent strategies that support the child’s success, both at home and at school.
When appropriate, conferences will be scheduled to discuss concerns and develop an action plan. If a child’s behavior continues to pose a significant risk to themselves or others despite documented interventions, the director reserves the right to discontinue enrollment.
Closures
We make every effort to remain open during our regular operating hours, however, the center may be required to close due to circumstances beyond our control, including inclement weather, natural or human-caused emergencies, utility outages, or actions by government or public safety officials.
If the center closes for any of these reasons, no refunds or tuition credits will be issued for any portion of the closure. When a closure is necessary, we will notify families as quickly as possible through Dojo, our Facebook page, and The Discovery Center website.
Supporting Every Child
The Discovery Center welcomes children with a wide range of abilities and individual needs. We believe every child deserves the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive. Through open communication and collaboration with families, we work together to understand each child’s unique strengths and needs to develop a plan for a successful transition into our program. This allows us to create a classroom experience where children feel comfortable, confident, and supported throughout their time at our center.
Payments & Fees
Timely tuition payments allow The Discovery Center to maintain a high-quality program and support the smooth operation of our classrooms. We appreciate families’ partnership in following the payment policies below:
Tuition is due no later than the last business day of the preceding month.
Payments received after the 5th of the month will incur a $25 late fee each week until the balance, including all late fees, is paid in full. If the 5th falls on a weekend or holiday, payment is due the preceding business day.
If tuition remains unpaid by the first calendar day of the following month, families will be asked to withdraw their child from the program until the outstanding balance and fees have been paid in full.
Families who have late tuition payments more than three times during a school year may be asked to permanently withdraw from the program.
A $35 fee will be charged for any returned payments, including non-sufficient funds checks or chargebacks.
There is a $20 administration fee for any schedule changes.
You must provide two weeks’ written notice when withdrawing your child from our program or your deposit is forfeited.
Absences
During vacation or illness, families will be charged 80% of the student's normal tuition rate, as long as the request has been made through our online form. The account must be in good standing to receive tuition reduction.
Absences that are submitted and processed prior to the monthly tuition billing cycle (around the 20th of the month), will appear as a charge since you will not be charged for those days in the billing process. Absences that are submitted and processed after the monthly tuition billing cycle will usually appear as a credit since you were charged for those days in the billing process.
Late Pick-Ups
Children must be picked up by the scheduled time listed in their parent agreement. Late pickups impact classroom staffing and schedules. We appreciate families’ efforts to arrive on time.
Late pickup fees are:
$20 for any portion of the first 10 minutes
$1 per minute after 10 minutes
Late pickup fees apply to all late pickups, no exceptions.
Classroom Communication
Open communication between families and teachers is an important part of the experience at The Discovery Center. Parents are welcome to visit their child’s classroom at any time and may also observe classroom activities from our designated observation area, which features a separate entrance from the classroom and a one-way viewing window.
Teachers share classroom updates, reminders, and important information through classroom newsletters and posted notices. The main form of communication between teachers and families is Class Dojo, a free app used to share messages, photos, and updates throughout the day. The director also posts school-wide announcements through Class Dojo.
Formal parent/teacher conferences are held at least once a year in the late fall and/or spring to discuss each child’s development and progress. Additional meetings may be scheduled at any time to address questions, concerns, or individual needs. Daily arrival and departure times also provide opportunities for brief conversations between families and teachers.
We encourage families to stay connected with their child’s teaching team, however, they may contact the center by phone or email at any time.
734-663-7496
Heidi, Director director@discoverycentera2.com
Daryl, Accounting Manager accountant@discoverycentera2.com
Alice, Communications & Marketing Manager communications@discoverycentera2.com
Birthday Celebrations
Birthdays are a special time to celebrate each child and the important role they play in their classroom community. We want every child to feel recognized and celebrated on their special day.
Because each classroom has its own routines, traditions, and group dynamics, teachers may choose different ways to make birthdays memorable while ensuring celebrations fit naturally into the classroom day.
Families who would like to contribute to a birthday celebration are welcome to send store-bought, nut-free foods items for the class. As an alternative, families may choose to send goody bags with small age-appropriate items such as stickers or crayons. Please check with your child’s teacher in advance so they can help coordinate the celebration and ensure it fits within the classroom routines.
Emergency Evacuation Procedures
The Discovery Center maintains emergency procedures for severe weather, natural or man-made emergencies, and safety concerns in the surrounding area. Our emergency plans include procedures to support all children, including those who may require additional assistance during an emergency.
In the event of a fire or other emergency requiring evacuation, children and staff will exit the building using the safest available route and move to the designated evacuation location. Teachers will bring emergency information and communication materials, account for all children in their care, and remain with their class throughout the evacuation process.
For a fire evacuation, children and staff will gather on the sidewalk on W. Liberty in front of the center. If an emergency requires students and staff to relocate, our designated relocation site is Grace Bible Church, located at 1300 S. Maple Rd.
Families will be notified as soon as possible following an emergency. Staff will provide updates regarding the situation, next steps, and the reunification process. Children will remain with The Discovery Center staff until emergency responders provide further direction or children are safely reunited with their families.