Meaningful Activities
We provide learning centers and motivational activities that build important foundations for future reading skills and other academic pursuits. Our program includes activities in art, music, movement, language arts, science, social studies, mathematics, dramatic play, outside play, free play, and quiet time.

Professional Staff
Our staff is carefully selected for their educational background, early childhood training and experience, and for their sensitivity to the individual needs of young children. All of our staff meet or exceed the minimum requirements as outlined in the Maryland Code of Regulations for Group Child Care Centers. Each staff member is required to have a physical, as well as, fingerprints taken by the State of Maryland. Federal and State background investigations are required of all new employees after October 1, 1986. Stepping Stone is fully licensed by the State of Maryland Child Care Administration.

Late Pick Up
A late fee of $1.00 per child, per minute will be charged for any child remaining in the center after 6:00 P.M. Lateness in excess of two times per year could result in your child being withdrawn from the center.

Closing Due to Unusual Conditions
Stepping Stone Children's Center will make every effort to open on time or as soon as possible in the event of inclement weather, or some other event that is outside of our control. If in doubt, either call the center, access this web site, and/or access WJZ Channel 13 television station or web site for updates before bringing your child. The Stepping Stone website will be updated first, so if you have internet access (and power), this should be your first choice. If the Center must close early, to insure the safety of you and your child, you will be notified by phone to be as prompt as possible in responding to calls for early dismissal.

Sign-in Sign-out
Your child is to be escorted into the center each morning by a responsible adult and will be signed in by a staff member, on the weekly sign-in sheets. Your child will also be signed out at the end of the day, and a parent’s initials are required next to the sign-out time. No child may leave the center unless accompanied by an adult. Your child will not be permitted to leave the center with any unauthorized person, so it is essential that you inform us when someone else is picking up your child. Identification must be presented at time of pick-up, otherwise your child will not be released to anyone other than a parent.

Absences and Lateness
Please notify the center if your child will be absent or arriving late. Also, notify the center if you will be picking your child up at school or if your child will not be returning to the center by bus after pre-kindergarten. We do worry if your child is not here.

Health Information
For the protection of all children, it is necessary that we be informed if your child has been exposed to, or has any communicable disease. Sick children should not be brought to the center. We reserve the right to refuse admittance to any child considered to be ill. If your child becomes ill during the day, you will be notified and required to pick your child up within the hour. Your child's health is of great importance to us, therefore, we must insist that children who are ill remain in a restful environment. If your child has a fever, we request that you keep him/her for twenty-four hours after the fever has broken. Also, if your child vomits or has diarrhea, both of which are highly contagious, he/she will need to be kept home until twenty-four hours after the last incident. It is our hope to minimize the spread of communicable illness throughout the center. Keeping your sick child home will help them recover fully, and will help lessen the chance of a relapse.

Medication
We are licensed to dispense medication. All medication must be accompanied with a physician's medication order form, filled out, signed and dated by your physician, before we can dispense the medication. We cannot administer the first dose of any medication. All medication must be in its original container labeled with your child's name, type of medication, hours to be given, and amount to be given. DO NOT SEND COUGH DROPS, VITAMINS, ASPIRIN, OR ANY OTHER MEDICATION TO THE CENTER WITH YOUR CHILD.

Injuries
Parents will be notified of all injuries by way of an Accident Report filled out at the time of the injury. Parents will be notified immediately by phone of any injuries which may require medical attention or a consultation with the parent, such as severe nose bleeds. In the event of a severe injury, Stepping Stone will seek emergency help and then phone the parent.

Special Needs Children
We make every effort to accommodate children with special needs. We will be happy to confer with you, your child's physician, and any other helping professionals to work out a program that best suits your child.

CPR & First Aid
All Stepping Stone staff are CPR and First Aid certified. Even though the Maryland Office of Childcare does not require all staff members to be certified, we at Stepping Stone believe this to be an important and vital expertise for all staff to be knowledgeable, efficient, and effective in its use.

Nutrition
Stepping Stone provides well-balanced and nutritious morning and afternoon snacks each day. A copy of the snack menu for the month is posted in your child's room for you to reference. Lunches are to be brought from home and should include fresh fruits and vegetables, a protein, and enriched or whole grain breads or crackers. Please limit the amount of sweet or salty treats. DO NOT SEND HARD CANDY, GUM, OR SODA. We will be happy to heat any soups or main dishes that you send. Please be sure your child's name is on the lunch bag. Please, no lunch boxes!

Toys From Home
The only toy we will allow your child to bring from home is one stuffed animal or doll to sleep with during nap time. Toy guns and weapons are strictly prohibited. We will not be responsible for any toys that were brought from home. All too often toys from home are lost or broken, which can lead to hard feelings. Our center is equipped with plenty of toys and games, and the staff is always working hard to plan interesting learning activities.

Discipline
In order to maintain a safe and orderly environment, it is necessary for our staff to enforce certain rules and procedures. When it is required to discipline children, the staff will explain our rules, talk with the child about alternate behavior, encourage problem solving, or redirect behavior. When necessary, time-out is used. If a child has trouble adjusting to our discipline procedures a conference will be held with the parents to help facilitate adjustment. Center staff will not use any form of physical punishment, belittle a child, or withhold food as discipline.

Stepping Stone's Child Abuse Policy
We are required by law to report any suspected cases of child abuse or neglect. Staff are required to document any unusual behavior or physical markings on a child. 

Conferences
When you enroll your child at Stepping Stone, we assume responsibility for giving you assistance with specials needs relating to your child's adjustment to day care. Conferences concerning your child's progress can be scheduled with the director and/or the staff. Please call or stop by the office to make an appointment. We strive to make all parents feel comfortable with the service we provide. Good center-parent communication is an essential component of quality child care. If you have any concerns or suggestions, we would like to know them.

Parent Involvement
Parents are always welcome at the center. We encourage you to drop by at any time to observe and visit with your child. Parents are also always invited to go along as chaperones on field trips.

Birthdays
Birthdays are special at Stepping Stone. If you wish to send in cupcakes or plan something special, please notify the office or the staff in your child's room. We will be able to tell you how many children are expected in the room that day.

Notices
It is the parent’s responsibility to read the newsletter and calendar and to check bulletin boards, cubbies, and lunch bags for notes and notices.

Children's Dress and Supplies
Children have outside play even in winter and need to be protected with hats, mittens, scarves, boots, and warm outerwear. Please do not send your child in flip-flops, jellies, or backless sandals. They are dangerous when children are running, jumping, and climbing. Since we do not have extra clothing on hand, each child should keep a complete change of clothing at the center. This should include underwear and socks. Please label each item with your child's name. Very young children may need to keep several changes of clothing at the center. Young children work hard and play hard. Clothing that is comfortable, sturdy, and washable is most appropriate for children participating in our program. For children two and older, please do not send your child in outfits which need to be fastened at the crotch.

Bedding
Every child has to have a blanket, pillow, and sheet for your child's cot and each of them should be labeled. Twin sized sheets work well with our cots. These will be sent home at the end of the week to be laundered so that they can return clean and fresh the following week.