BBA School Policies


Toys From Home

Bright Beginnings Academy is not responsible for toys brought from home that may be lost or broken, and only for show-and-tell days that the teacher will assign. Bright Beginnings Academy provides many play experiences throughout the day that include toys that are developmentally appropriate for the children.

Dress Code

As a Christian Preschool we would like to reflect a Christian-like environment in teaching modesty to our young children in the way they present themselves. We encourage shorts to be worn under skirts & dresses, clothing that are of right size to child’s age, shorts of modest length, and shoes that can be fastened securely around the back (tennis shoes). Please dress child in clothes that are suitable for play & crafts. Each child must bring in a change of clothes, labeled with their name on each piece to keep in the classroom in case of emergencies. Please keep in mind that the weather changes for the seasons when selecting your child’s clothing. We strongly discourage open-toed shoes, beach sandals, flip-flops etc. Strapless, crop tops or backless attire, jewelry of any kind, body markings such as tattoos (permanent or temporary) must not be visible.

Meals and Snacks

Bright Beginnings Academy offers a wonderful, nutritious lunch at no additional cost to the parents. We serve breakfast and a snack, also at no cost. If your child has an allergy to an item on our lunch menu, parents must bring in a sack lunch. If you are running late and need a school lunch please notify the front office at the beginning of the day to allow staff to prepare an extra meal.

Discipline

Bright Beginnings Academy believes that when the term discipline is used, we are specifically referring to a process of teaching and not punishing. Children are encouraged in the classroom with hugs and verbal praises for positive behavior. Our staff uses “Re-direction” when necessary; Children are encouraged to think about his/her feelings and to learn to control his/her actions. If all above fails, a parent/ teacher conference will be scheduled. As a last resort, the child will be asked to withdraw from Bright Beginnings Academy.

Illness

Bright Beginnings Academy is focused on keeping our facility a clean and healthy environment at all times. In doing so we ask that you use good judgment in sending your child to school when he/she shows signs of sickness. The child must feel well enough to participate comfortably in school activities inside and outside. If while in class your child displays one or more of the symptoms below, we will immediately call the parent/guardian to remove the child from our facility and he/she will not be allowed to return to school until they are 24 hours symptom free. In some cases a doctor’s note may be required to return to school. In the event your child is sent home with head lice he/she must be checked by a Bright Beginnings Representative and be totally nit free (no eggs) in order for the child to return to class. Symptoms are:

  • Fever 100 or greater
  • Diarrhea, Vomiting two or more times in a day
  • Rashes, bumps or any other questionable conditions that have not been identified in writing from a physician
  • Colored nasal discharge, Evidences of head lice or other parasites
  • Uncontrolled coughing, Redness and/or discharge from eye/s (conjunctivitis)

  • If we all work together we can keep Bright Beginnings Academy a well and safe facility !!

    Medications

    In the event your child’s in need of a prescription medication while in our care, the medication needs to be supplied in the original prescription bottle with child’s name and dosage instructions on the label and must be within the medication’s expiration period. A medication authorization form must be completed before any medication will be administered to your child. Medications will be kept in the nurse’s station in a locked cabinet for security reasons. Our Facility will not administer any over-the-counter medications.

    Immunizations

    Upon admission into Bright Beginnings Academy the State of Florida requires that our facility receive a current Florida student physical exam, and Florida Certificate of Immunizations. These forms are available at your doctor’s office and originals are required (Yellow and Blue Forms). Also required is a copy of child’s birth certificate. Please note these are requirements of the State of Florida. Religious exemption from immunizations must be confirmed by the Volusia County Health Department on the required form and we must keep a copy on file.

    Records

    All records are kept confidential and are required to be kept updated. Changes in address, phone numbers, etc. must be current and reported to our facility as soon as possible. Make sure that parent/guardian notifies the office of any changes on child’s authorization pick-up form.

    Emergency Drills

    Bright Beginnings Academy conducts periodic emergency drills, such as; Fire drills, Tornado drills, Lock down drills, Bomb threats, Hurricane drills. These procedures are done to ensure the safety of our children while in our Facility. During these drills the children are to remain with the teacher or staff member until the drill is completed. Instructions will be practiced prior to drills. Emergency evacuation plans are posted in classrooms and office or designated areas.

    Discharge Policy : Students may be discharged from Bright Beginnings Academy for the following reasons, including but not excluding other individual reasons:


  • Injurious behavior to him/herself, or consistently disruption in the classroom or program.
  • Excessive absence. More than 50% absence over a two-month period.
  • At the direction of the child’s funding source.
  • Medical conditions that exceed capabilities determined by Bright Beginnings Academy.
  • Non – compliance by parent/guardian with Bright Beginnings Academy policies and procedure requirements.
  • When a parent or guardian behaves disrespectfully toward other parents, children, staff, or volunteers.
  • Verbally or by action, threaten a Bright Beginnings staff member, client, visitor and/or volunteer.
  • To ensure appropriate utilization of recourses, the highest quality of care, to meet safety and regulations, compliance and/or at Bright Beginnings Academy management’s discretion.
  • Children 3 years and older, who after 3 unprovoked bites will be asked to withdraw.
  • Children under 3 years of age, who after 5 unprovoked bites will be shadowed at an additional cost to the parent until situation is under control, if situation continues child will be asked to withdraw from facility.


  • Hours of Operation

    Bright Beginnings Academy is open Monday through Friday and the operational hours are 6:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

    Attendance

    We urge regular attendance for all children, in order for the children to receive the benefit of a quality preschool education; children are expected to arrive to school no later than 8:00 a.m. each day.

    Parents: at drop off we encourage you to say your goodbyes at the door and let your child independently enter the classroom on their own. This will make separation and departure easier for all.

    Volunteer Pre Kindergarten (VPK)

    VPK program consists of 540 instructional hours per school year. VPK hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 12 noon, Monday–Friday. Also available if you are in need of VPK Wraparound are morning and afternoon care, for the hours of 6:30 a.m. to 8:00 a.m., and from 12:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. There is an additional fee for VPK Wraparound. If a VPK student is going to be absent you are required to submit absence documentation at the time of return.

    Tuition - Fees / Payments

    Payments are due and payable every Monday or the first day of the week your child attends. These fees are payable whether your child attends or not. If an account lapses for 2 weeks without any payment and/or if satisfactory arrangements have not been met, child will not be permitted to attend class or daycare until such tuition balance has been paid. If by the third week tuition is not brought up to date, your child will be withdrawn from our program, and parent will be responsible to re-register (depending on class availability) and are required to repay all supply fees. If a check is returned for any reason a $35.00 charge per check will be parent’s/ guardian’s responsibility payable on your child’s account. If account has more than 2 returned checks within a one-year period, further payments will be made by cash, money order, cashier’s check or credit card.

    Early Termination

    Termination of childcare must be given in writing to Bright Beginnings Academy 2 weeks in advance by parent/guardian, or parent/guardian will be responsible for 2 weeks of tuition per enrollment contract, payable to Bright Beginnings Academy

    Holidays

    Bright Beginnings Academy will be closed on the holidays listed below. When a holiday falls on Saturday, it will be observed on the Friday before. If the holiday falls on Sunday, it will be observed the following Monday. Tuition is still required for these observed days. New Years Eve & New Years Day Martin Luther King Day Memorial Day Labor Day Independence Day Good Friday Thanksgiving Day & Day after Christmas Eve & Christmas Day

    Inclement Weather

    In the event of severe weather, Bright Beginnings Academy will remain open unless conditions become unsafe. Our Center will follow the county school board’s decision regarding school closing prior to a storm. After the storm has cleared Bright Beginnings Academy will open providing that the Center has electric, water and air conditioning and telephone service.

    Drop Off and Pick-Up Procedures

    Parents & Guardians are required to bring the child into the facility, sign in and escort child to the designated drop off place. Before leaving, notify caregiver of your child’s arrival.

    When picking up the child, your child must be signed out each day. Your child will not be released to anyone that is not listed on the authorized child pick-up list. Anyone, who is not on the authorized pick-up list, must have written permission from Parents or Guardians prior to our releasing the child. Telephone release will not be accepted. If there are any questions at all, the child will remain in the facility until proper release is arranged.


    Bright Beginnings Academy Preschool

    You are also invited to join the Bright Beginnings Academy Enrichment Program
    .

    Gymnastics Class (Ages 2 years & up)

    Our gymnastic program will teach your child a well balanced mix of discipline and gymnastics skills. The students learn tumbling, how to walk on the beam, and a multitude of stretches. Your child’s listening and comprehension skills will improve as he/she adds more challenging gymnastics skills. This is a FUN class!

    Spanish Class (Ages 2 ½ years & up)

    No Fee for class, it’s included in tuition. Our Spanish program will give your child the opportunity to become conversational in Spanish. Unlike most preschool foreign Language programs, our classes go further than teaching simple vocabulary. The students will be able to speak in sentences and understand the language in context by learning through games, songs, and crafts. Our students also have the opportunity to learn the culture of different Spanish-speaking countries and celebrate those countries with a fiesta during the spring.

    Computer Class (Ages 2 ½ & Up)

    No Fee for class, it’s included in tuition The computer classes are addressed as one of our centers in our class schedules. Our center has a designated computer lab for students to come and learn the basics of the computer and to advance at child’s own pace. Through the software they will be taught phonics and math. Our students become proficient on the computer by playing fun games that stimulate every area of the brain at the stage of life when children learn best.

    Curriculum

    Buttercup (Toddler 1 & 2)

    Fireflies (K2 ½ & 3 yr old)

    Funshine Express is an enriching curriculum that is designed to explore and discover with play-based activities that enhance development. They provide a wide range of “Hand’s on”, interactive activities that allow children to use their unique learning styles to experiment and explore their surroundings. It also stimulates creativity, builds positive self-image in each child, and addresses the needs of the whole child, as well as encourages involvement of family members in each child’s learning through literature and suggested activities.

    Houghton Mifflin Pre-K4 Houghton Mifflin is a scientifically research-based “hands-on, minds-on” curriculum that aligns with key critical Pre-K learning goals. Alive with colorful images and rich literature, this comprehensive, integrated program provides children with the foundational skills they need to succeed as lifelong learners.