TLC Child Care

Open All Year!

We pride ourselves on providing quality child care...year round! We offer school year and summer programs for preschool and school age students.

Hours of Operation

Monday - Friday
Hours: 6:30 am – 6:00 pm

Holiday Closings

We are Open - Even On Snow Days!

We plan to be open even when public schools are closed! Just because the kids are out of school for bad weather, doesn’t mean you get a day off too. That’s why we make every effort to be open even when schools closed. Watch News Channel 5 for school and child care closings.

Staff/Child Ratio

Pre-School: 3 to 6 years & not attending Kindergarten
School Age: 5 to 12 years of age

Pre-K 3/4: 1 staff for every 8 children
Pre-K 4/5: 1 staff for every 13 children
School Age K-2nd : 1 staff for every 17 children
School Age 3rd-6th : 1 staff for every 19 children

Check-in / Check-out Procedures

We have specialized child care computer software, called ProCare, to help manage your child’s schedule. Parents check-in and check-out at the front desk computer each day. Please take your child to their classroom and initail the class roll.

If someone else is supposed to pick up your child for any reason, please notify your child(ren)’s teacher in advance. For someone else to pick up your child, they must be listed on your child’s enrollment form as a person authorized to pick up your child. We will check this person’s I.D. at the time of pick up to verify identity.

PROCARE Software

ProCare software interface allows you to manage your child’s schedule, check-in/-out, look at your account, and receive messages.

Security

TLC offers a state-of-the-art security system. Along with our standard security measures, the security system provides an added a layer of protection for your kids. Each TLC family is given an individualized key fob, so unauthorized persons cannot enter our facility. This system also allows us to know who entered the building when.

If your fob is lost of stolen, please report this to the office immediately, that fob will be turned off, and a new one will be issued. Fobs are to be returned on the last day of your child’s attendance.

Communication

Communication between parents and TLC staff is essential. MESSAGES MUST BE IN WRITING! Verbal messages or instructions are sometimes forgotten. There are a variety of ways we communicate with our parents:

• PARENT ORIENTATION IN MARCH & OPEN HOUSE IN AUGUST
• PARENT / TEACHER CONFERENCES
  We hold Parent / Teacher Conference in the Spring and as needed.
  NOTE: Drop-off and pick-up is not the time for lengthy or private discussions. We want to be able to give you the attention you deserve; therefore, we ask that you schedule a conference with your child’s teacher for a lengthy discussion or private matters.
• HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK & other notes from your child's teacher
• NEWSLETTERS
• CALENDARS
• POST SIGNS FOR SPECIAL EVENTS
• MESSAGES ON PROCARE
• PHONE CALLS
  At TLC children always come first, so if you call and the answering machine picks-up –it means our hands are full, please leave a message. We check messages every 30 minutes. Please call the center by 9:00 if your child will not be attending that day.
• E-MAIL
  My e-mail address is TLC@TrinityColumbia.org. This is a great way to communicate with us, if the information is not time sensitive.

Meals

Breakfast is served between 7:30 and 8:30 am
Lunch is served between 11:20 am and 12:20 pm
Afternoon snack is served between 2:30 pm and 4:00 pm

Weekly menus are posted on the Parent Information Bulletin Board and in each classroom. Preschool parents are provided a copy of the menu along with the 'Highlights of the Week'.

Staff should be made aware of any restrictions due to allergies or other health issues. We require that a medical statement from your doctor be included stating the allergy, symptoms, and treatment. Accommodations will be made for these restrictions to the best of our ability.

TLC participates in CACPF food program. Therefore, we provide nutritionally balanced meals, much like the public school lunches. Food from home is not allowed.

Parties

We love to celebrate special events with your child like birthday parties. Food may be brought in for these events. Please coordinate your plans with your child’s teacher.

Health

Immunizations or refusal from your doctor is required for all students. Ask your doctor for the Preschool Form required at all childcare centers in Tennessee.

Be wise; keep a sick child at home. Your child needs to be fever free for 24 hours, without fever reducing medication, before returning to school. This will benefit all of us - your child, the other children in the program, and our staff. Do not bring your child to the center if they have diarrhea or have been vomiting in the past 24 hours.

If a child becomes ill during the day and is unable to participate fully in the scheduled program, you will be contacted and asked to pick up your child immediately. We understand that having a sick child can be an unanticipated disruption in a parent’s day; however, we do expect your cooperation when illness necessitates your child’s removal from the center.

Please advise us of any allergies your child may have. We require that a medical statement from your doctor be included stating the allergy, symptoms, and treatment.

TLC follows the same guidelines for communicable diseases as the state of Tennessee.

Medication

FORMS:
If your child requires any medication while attending our center, please fill out a Medication Form. Medication Forms must be completed by the parent with your child’s name, dosage, time of dosage, and dates medication is to be given. Medication forms are located on the parent desk in front of the office in the file holder of the classroom door and in the preschool classroom.

CONTAINERS:
Medication must be clearly labeled with child’s name and given to your child’s teacher. Prescription and over the counter drugs must be in the original container with your child name on it. This includes bug spray, lotion, and sunscreen you want us to apply.

LOG:
Parent initials the medication log at pick-up time to insure the medication was given each day. Don’t forget to pick up the remaining medicine.

DO NOT SEND MEDICATIONS IN YOUR CHILD’S BOOKBAG.

EPI-PENS AND INHALERS
Some children need emergency medication, such as epi-pens and inhalers. A copy of this medication form will stay with the child’s teacher will be signed each time the medication is administered. Another copy of the form will be placed in the child’s file.

School-aged student may carry inhalers in their book bags as long as we have a medication form on file with the teacher and in the office.

Clothing

Dress your child according to weather conditions. Sun hats in the warm weather and warm items (hat, mitts, and scarf) in the cooler weather. Please apply sunscreen your child before school when needed. Dress them in clothing that they can operate on their own. Tennis shoes are recommended for safe outside play.

Bring a complete change of clothing & label all clothing with your child’s name.

In accordance with our Tennessee State License, each child participating in a full day program is required to have one hour of outdoor play, weather permitting.

Emergency Management - Fire and Tornado Drills

TLC conducts a monthly fire drill and quarterly tornado drills.
These records are posted on the parent bulletin board.

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
For any kind of emergency that requires a full evacuation of the center, children will be escorted to:

Sterling House Nursing Home
5011 Trotwood Ave Columbia, TN

Parents wishing to locate their children during an emergency are directed to go to this area. Parents will be notified, by phone if possible, if a full evacuation occurs.

PTC Association

Parent Teacher Church Association is to benefit your child and in doing so you also help our school. By Volunteering, you put your skills and hobbies to use for a noble cause. It is also an excellent way to get connected and know what is happening at TLC. Here are a few annual events that PTC Association is involved with:

Grandparents Day
Christmas Program
Annual Fundraising Event
Teacher Appreciation Week

Maternity Leave

A fee of $50 will hold their child’s place while on maternity leave for up to six weeks.

Transition of Teachers

When we have a change in staff, we will introduce the children to the substitute or new teacher and post information for the parents. If possible, the new teacher will meet the children before taking over in the classroom. Children may wear a name tag during the transition.

Parents will be asked to show their drivers’ license until a teacher gets to know you to continue security in that class.

Volunteers

TLC is always open to volunteers who have a sincere and positive approach toward the children. We also welcome students in training from community colleges and high schools.

All volunteers are given vulnerable person registry check. Regular Volunteers are asked to have a criminal history background check including fingerprints.