Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Are background checks performed on perspective employees?
Safety and security starts with our hiring procedures. All our employees are professionals or professionals-in-training and they take their responsibilities very seriously. Each employee goes through a thorough screening: reference checks, intensive interviews, all the police checks and fingerprinting as required by the state; BUT we also complete a more thorough background check. Orientation is a continuation of this process. Employees receive an intense orientation, part of which is making sure that each person clearly understands our expectations for professional, high-quality interactions with children and their families. In other words, our far higher-than-usual standards of excellence begin the process of ensuring safety and security for all the children entrusted to our care.

2. Is anyone on staff certified in Emergency Medical Treatment?
All staff are trained in CPR, First Aid and Communicable & Child Abuse Diseases and the Identification of blood born pathogens.

3. Can anyone pick up my child?
The school keeps a written list of those individuals who are allowed to pick up a child. A child will only be released to those people on the approved list. If someone other than the parent is to pick up a child, written notice must be given directly from the parent to the child's teacher giving name, relationship to the child and the date of the pick up.

4. What security is in place?
The physical environment is also an important part of our plans for your child's security and safety. These are some of the factors in the design, which address these issues:
- A video camera that constantly monitors the entrance of the school.
- A key pad must be used to gain entry into the center, and only parents, staff and those approved by parents may enter the building. Each person's code is private.
- A "gatekeeper" (administrator or teacher) is always in the main gathering area, and has the front door in sight at all times. He/she can greet anyone before that person enters the building, using the intercom system.
- The administrative secretary has a panic button under her desk which can be pushed in an emergency, automatically dialing 911.
- Each classroom has a phone, to help a parent gain immediate access to a teacher if they need to talk. In addition, in any emergency, the teacher can immediately call for assistance.
- We have small class sizes and there are always two teachers in the room.
- Most classrooms have direct access to the outdoor playground, and these doors are locked from the outside.
- The center has been designed with many large windows, to allow parents and
administrators to observe the classroom at any time.

5. What type of supervision is in place during outside playtime?
Two teachers are always on the playground, carefully supervising the children and joining in their play when appropriate. One teacher carries a cell phone with them while on the playground. In addition, the windows overlooking the playgrounds allow careful supervision.

6. Do you take field trips?
Yes. On all field trips parents must return a dated and signed field trip permission form specifically for each trip. The teachers carry a cell phone. In any emergency, a teacher can immediately call for assistance. In addition, all parents are given this phone number and can call to see where the group is. This is helpful in many circumstances.

7. Do you have fire drills?
Fire drills are completed every month, at different times of the day in order to ensure that all shifts are familiar with the procedures. In addition, tornado drills are carried out every three months.

8. Is the playground equipment safe?
Ready Set Grow has two sets of playground equipment; one for infants and toddlers and one set for preschool aged children. All outdoor play equipment conforms to the national standards for playground safety. Most child development centers have equipment that exercises a child's back and leg muscles only. Ready Set Grow also offers equipment such as a Track Ride glider that strengthens a child's upper body. A fence surrounds the playgrounds for security. It is designed to prevent a child from getting stuck between the posts. The playground areas are accessible to children in wheelchairs or with other special needs.

9. Is my child ever recorded on video?
Video cameras are always recording the entry area of the school. However, we have not chosen to place video cameras in each classroom. One of the basic goals of our center is to develop a strong relationship of trust and collaboration between parents, teachers, children and administrators. Many teachers feel that a video camera gives the impression of a "big brother," and is counterproductive. We strongly believe that our careful planning for each child's safety, health and security answers parental concerns, and still fosters our community approach to early childhood education and caring.

10. What special training have your teachers received?
All lead teachers have earned at least a two or four year degree in child development, early childhood education or a closely related field. Associate teachers often achieve the same level of knowledge and expertise. Part time assistants will be students at local colleges and universities, and will be supervised at all times by full time teachers. In addition, the staff receives continuing education in professionally related subjects, a cost covered by the center. The teachers and administrators at our center are highly skilled.

11. Is Ready Set Grow familiar with the latest findings on infant brain research?
All the results of the last ten years' research into infant brain development provide startling evidence that significant and long lasting damage can be done to a child's brain development, both in utero but especially during the first months of life. Because infant care is sparse in this country, and so much is of poor quality this is a major reason for offering the highest quality care at this age researchers found that:
- The first three years of life are even more important than previously realized.
- A child's ability to handle feelings such as anger and fear can be affected by neglect or abuse early in life.
- A child's ability to read, think or do math is affected.
- Brain cells of a young rat raised in a lively, complex environment have more branches and interconnections than those of a rat raised in an isolated cage.
Early priming of neural circuits by talking, singing and using simple math concepts does not fade with time but has long-lasting value. These are activities found in high quality infant programs.

12. What is your curriculum? How do you educate my child?
It's hard to describe our curriculum in a few words, because it is not a pre-packaged set of lesson plans developed by educators and suitable for all children of a certain age. The curriculum and philosophy of Ready Set Grow is a developmentally appropriate, constructivist curriculum which incorporates the best of the Reggio Emilia, Montessori, and traditional american preschool approachs to the care and education of young children. What do those words really mean? This approach to early childhood education is based on well established knowledge of the developmental needs of infants and young children in general, as well as on the specific knowledge of the needs of each child in our school. Our responsibility to you and your children is to provide the appropriate environment and stimuli so that he/she will continue to develop to his/her optimal potential. Our teachers are there to help children explore their world, encourage problem solving and independent thinking, respect the rights of others and to continue to be excited about the process of learning. Our focus is on the process of learning more than on its product. For example, a four-year-old learns math concepts through daily experiments with concrete objects, rather than through copying numbers on a sheet of paper. She learns cause and effect through experimenting with the consequences of building a structure with different lengths and sizes of blocks. She learns about beginning literacy (reading and writing) through frequent, daily experiences with books, story reading and telling and writing notes to parents and friends (with teacher's help). Experiences with music, art, physical movement, computers, literacy, nutrition, math and science are all incorporated into a teaching team's careful planning for a typical day in your child's school life at Ready Set Grow! Our teachers spend a great deal of time systematically planning learning opportunities for each child in the classroom, and that means the curriculum is flexible and changing as the children's needs change. This kind of teaching demands a high level of expertise and commitment to continual observation, assessment and planning. It means that our teachers take time to listen to each child and to know each child's personality and needs.

13. How much time is spent learning vs. playing?
We believe, along with most other early childhood educators, that it is through play that young children learn best. Virtually all professional organizations representing early childhood educators clearly support the essential place of play in the development of infants and young children. We provide opportunities for play in which children express their creative interests, develop mastery of skills and a positive self-image as a learner, as well as developing a strong empathy and respect for the feelings of others. We view each child as a competent, creative person who is curious and open to many ways of learning about his/her world.

14. What makes Ready Set Grow different from most other centers?
Research on quality child care consistently shows that the following factors are strong indicators of quality early childhood education and care giving.
-Educated and trained teachers and administrators who understand child development theory and its day-to-day application in the classroom.
-An excellent ratio of adults to children in each classroom, one which allows for individual attention to the needs of each child. The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) has set guidelines for these adult-child ratios for each age group. The
National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) is the largest, oldest
and best known early childhood education organization in the U.S. It is the only major
non-governmental advocacy organization setting standards for child care.
-Small class sizes.
-Significantly higher-than-average staff salaries and benefits.
All these qualities are basics at Ready Set Grow, and they reflect the strong commitment from the school's owner and management, to continue to support these essential factors of a high-quality center. A commitment to quality in the center and to a collaborative partnership with each family is the basis of all decisions at Ready Set Grow. Ready Set Grow represents one of the highest levels of quality care and education in Ohio. We think you will feel the special atmosphere at our center from the first time you enter our main entrance and come in to the central gathering space, an area in which parents can spend small quiet times with their children or with staff. That welcoming spirit continues as you visit the classrooms and speak to the teachers and administrators. The staff of Ready Set Grow offers a curriculum which provides children many opportunities to reach their full intellectual, social, emotional and physical potential. Each child is unique, bringing his/her own experiences and abilities to the classroom. The responsibility of the teachers is to learn the special qualities of each child, and to adapt the curriculum to meet them. A teacher's skill is shown in his/her ability to teach the whole classroom, while at the same time knowing and responding to each individual child in the group. The interactions of the child and the environment are important factors in growth and development, and the teacher is the facilitator, nurturer, guide and advocate in this process. It is clear that teachers of young children need to be well educated in child development and must possess the personal characteristics to fulfill all these roles, as our teachers do. The teachers and administrators at Ready Set Grow are at the core of the factors which set our center apart from many others.

15. Why are you so expensive?
Unfortunately, quality childcare is expensive but the results of placing your child in a developmental program like Ready Set Grow will benefit them as they enter primary school. According to a study done by the NICHD (National Institutes of Child and Human Development) children who receive quality childcare are:
- More socially competent in elementary school
- More empathetic and better liked by other children
- Likely to score better on tests of cognitive and social competence
Ready Set Grow is a physical environment planned for the optimal education and care for children. We don't cut corners in providing children with quality childcare. Ready Set Grow's low teacher-to-student ratios, structured curriculum and challenging, visually-stimulating environment develops a child's mind at a time when it is most important. "No one has yet found a way to raise an educated, responsible adult without spending a lot of time with children when they are young. Children learn best when they are allowed to initiate their own activities and with adults who support children's exploration and experimentation."

16. Are you accredited?
A center must be at least one year in business before it can apply for accreditation by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. NAEYC set national standards for quality in early childhood education and instituted accreditation 13 years ago. Since that time, approximately 15% of U.S. centers have been accredited, and Ready Set Grow plans to be one of this select group as soon as possible. We are licensed by the state of Ohio and meet or exceed all its requirements.

17. What is the dress code?
Children need to feel comfortable at school, without worrying about paint spatters on their best clothes or mud on their best shoes. Therefore, we request that children come to school in play clothes that are easily laundered. Children, including infants, will be involved in messy play and it is not possible to protect them completely. Be sure to have at least one change of clothing at school, labeled with the child's name. The staff is expected to dress in comfortable clothes that allow them to roll around on the floor with the children. However, they will also be expected that, as early childhood educators, they will dress neatly and professionally.

18. Is part time enrollment available?
Part time enrollment will be available based on scheduling availability. It is the goal of Ready Set Grow to have total full-time enrollment but we do understand that there are many families that are only in need of part-time care. If part-time enrollment is deemed available it will be offered to families looking for two or more full days a week as long as there is another part time child to attend on alternate days.

19. What happens if my child gets sick?
The teacher will complete Ready Set Grow's observation form, which outlines the child's symptoms and the reasons for the child's separation from other children. When the parent arrives to pick up the sick child, this observation form will be given to the parent. It also gives information about the earliest date on which the child may return to the classroom, as determined by state regulations. If a child needs to be out of the classroom for more than one or two days, the teachers will keep in touch with the child and his/her parents, helping the child to know that his friends are thinking about him/her. Your child's medical profile is on file in the director's office, and copies of that information is also on file in his/her classroom. All children's files are private and are available only to the child's parents, teachers and administrators.

20. What If My Child Has Allergies or Other Special Medical Needs?
If your child has allergies or any other special medical need, the teachers will make appropriate accommodations. For example, peanut butter will not be served to your child if he/she is allergic. If your child has special dietary needs such as needing a vegetarian or milk free diet, the teachers will make these accommodations as well.

21. Is there a nurse on staff?
No. If a child needs medication, the teacher will administer it. The state has clear guidelines regarding medications, and the center adheres carefully to all of these regulations. See pp 57-59 of Child Day Care Center Licensing Rules.

22. Are all students immunized?
Yes. Before the child enters the program all required immunizations must be up to date. Each year the child is required to have a new medical statement showing the current check-up, new immunizations, new medical conditions, etc. This medical information is kept in the child's folder, accessible at all times by teachers and administrators but otherwise kept confidential. The center will send out reminder notices of the need for a new medical statement, at two months and one month before the date of renewal. This allows parents time to make appointments with pediatricians.

23. How do you handle emergencies?
If an accident or emergency occurs, the following steps are taken: The incident will be reported immediately to the lead teacher. All staff has first aid training and will administer treatment if appropriate. If the injury is a medical emergency, the Emergency Squad will be called immediately, using 911. Unless otherwise specified on your child's Emergency Card, he/she will be transported to the nearest hospital. The parents/guardians will be contacted immediately and told to meet the teacher and child at the hospital's emergency room. The lead teacher or administrator will accompany the child to the hospital and will bring the child's medical records and emergency card. The teacher or administrator stays with the child and his/her parents as long as is needed. An incident report is completed every time an accident or injury occurs or when an incident necessitates administering syrup of ipecac, and/or when a child needs emergency transportation. Incident reports are completed even when the "incident" is a relatively minor one, such as when a child sustains a small bump or bruise or if a child is scratched. Each incident report must be signed by a teacher, administrator and parent. One copy is given to the parent and one is kept in the child's folder.

24. Are you equipped to accommodate a child with a handicap?
Yes. We welcome children with special physical and/or mental needs. The center is built to meet requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act, and outdoor and indoor facilities are accessible to children with special needs.
We are happy to work in cooperation with specialists such as physical or occupational therapists, to help make the child's day a productive and happy one.

25. Do you report suspected child abuse and neglect?
Yes. Each staff member completes training in the guidelines for identification and reporting of child abuse and neglect, and all state regulations are followed in these circumstances. We hope it will never be needed.

26. When is the tuition due?
Tuition is due each Monday. A late fee will be assessed on tuition not paid by Wednesday of each week. Tuition may also be paid monthly, on the first Monday after the first Sunday of each month. One month's advance written notice is required when withdrawing a child from Ready Set Grow. If one month's notice is not given to the director, the parent pays tuition for one month from the time notice is given.

27. Will I be penalized for picking up my child after the designated time?
$10 for each 5 minutes will be assessed for departure after 6:00 p.m. The reason for this stringent policy is not to gain extra fees for the center, but to show respect for the teacher's very long and demanding day. It is another way in which parents can show respect and understanding for the teachers. In addition, children who are the last to leave their classrooms often become anxious and tired. We hope that this late fee policy will rarely have to be instituted and we understand of those times when emergencies occur. In such cases, the director will waive the late fees.

28. Do you have a sibling discount?
Yes. It is 5% off the tuition of the oldest child.

29. Is Ready Set Grow! state subsidized?
No.

30. Do you offer scholarships?
No, although we hope to do so in the future.

31. Does my child need supplies?
All supplies needed in a learning/care-giving environment are supplied by the center, with the exceptions noted in your Parent Handbook, e.g. diapers, formula, bottles and baby food are supplied by the parent. Nap time blankets and pillows are supplied by parents. No monthly or yearly supply fees will be assessed. However, a yearly portfolio fee of $55.00 is assessed for each child. As part of our ongoing observation and assessment of each individual child, teachers compile an extensive portfolio. This portfolio represents the child's daily life, growth and development and achievements during the time he spends at Ready Set Grow. It includes the child's work, teacher observations and many, many photo documentations. It is an invaluable tool for understanding each child, and is much appreciated by families. The fee covers part of the cost of film, binders and inserts. Ready Set Grow covers the remainder of this cost.

32. How late can I drop off my child in the morning?
We hope that all children will be at the center before 9.00 a.m. Sometimes we know that this is not possible, but it is important that children have time to get into the flow of the day and to become completely involved in the classroom' s community activities such as group time, planning for the day, etc. It is much harder for this to happen when a child comes into the classroom after 9:00 a.m. We do not require that all children are here by that time, but we urge that you try to meet this time, because it facilitates your child's growth and development.

33. What are your discipline policies?
People often think of discipline as punishment. At Ready Set Grow we offer a different approach. Discipline is, in its simplest form, teaching. It is one element of an overall approach to guiding young children's behavior in a positive manner rather than a negative one. We help children understand what IS expected of them, rather than telling them what not to do. Guidance and discipline refers to all the activities and interactions to enhance each child's self-control and positive social interactions. As such, it is an integral part of our total curriculum and reflects our basic philosophy. Children learn to respect the property and rights of others, just as we show respect for them. Children have rights, but along with those rights go responsibilities and these are stressed every day in all the activities and routines of the school. We believe in the "Character Counts" philosophy which is listed on this website.

34. What is the Student-to-Teacher ratio?
The advantage of Ready Set Grow is not only its low child-staff ratios and its small group sizes for children. According to a study done by the NICHD (National Institutes of Child and Human Development) in small group classes children are:
- More verbal
- More involved in appropriate activities and with other children and teachers
- Less aggressive
- Make greatest gains on standardized tests of learning and vocabulary
- Exposed to less infection and disease; incidence is reduced
The study reveals that children are more likely to receive developmentally appropriate education and care-giving.
Below is a chart showing the adult-child ratios for The State of Ohio, NAEYC, and
Ready Set Grow:

State Requirements
0-12 months - 1:5 or 12:2 with 2 staff members
12-30 months - 1:6 to 1:7
3 year olds - 1:12
4 to 5 year olds - 1:14
Kindergarten - 1:18

Ready Set Grow!
6 weeks - walking (Nursery) - 1:4 or 2:8
12 months - 3 years (Toddlers) - 1:5 or 2:10
3 - 5 years (Preschool) - 1:12 or 2:24
Kindergarten - 1:15
School-Age - 1:18 or 2:36

35. May I have a Copy of the Policy and Procedure Manual?
Yes. All parents that enroll their children will receive a copy of our handbook. If your child is not currently enrolled you may borrow a copy from our library. This must be returned within two days.

36. Is Lunch Provided?
A hot lunch program is available but involvement is not mandatory. Copies of lunch menus will be provided to all parents. If a parent wishes to pack a lunch for their child Ready Set Grow will provide them with the state requirements for a daily lunch. Ready Set Grow provides milk and bread & butter to each child at mealtime as well as snacks that meet state requirements.

37. Who will provide hot lunches to Ready Set Grow?
Ready Set Grow has partnered with a locally owned, full-service catering company with over 25 years of offering customers the finest food and beverage services with quality products. All meals meet the U.S.D.A and Ohio Child and Adult Care food requirements.

38. How will lunches be served?
Meal time is a family time at Ready Set Grow. Meals are served at tables and children are not expected to stand in "lunch lines." Bread and butter is provided at mealtime and milk is served in pitchers to allow children to serve themselves. This type of meal setting helps a child learn proper table etiquette. Children who buy hot lunches are never separated from children who bring their lunch.

39. Are You Closed Holidays?
Yes. Ready Set Grow is closed on national holidays, 9 total days a year!

40. Is There an Expulsion Policy?
No. Each situation is unique and we rarely if ever expect to ask a child to leave the program. Where there is a strong parent-center communication with the child's best interest as a focus, this issue rarely occurs. However, it may be that a parent decides that our program is not the best fit for his/her child's needs, or that specially designed intervention is needed and thus decides to withdraw the child.

41. Do you hold infants during feeding?
During feeding times children are never fed with propped up bottles in their cribs. There are some older infants who prefer holding their own bottles while lying on a soft nest and, since we try to meet the individual needs of each child, we allow such feeding.

42. How much time do infants spend in their cribs?
Only sleep times. During their wake times they are interacting with other children and adults in appropriate activities. Teachers can often be found on the floor next to the infants and toddlers, talking and playing with them.

43. How do you handle toilet training?
Teachers will talk exclusively with parents in order to fit their toileting procedures and expectations. Toileting is a natural part of the day and children often model the older children whom they see using the potty. There is no pressure on a toddler to become "potty trained" by a certain date, only encouragement when it is clear that the child is physically ready for this developmental step and is interested in the process.

44. Are toddlers who aren't potty trained separated from toddlers who are?
No. As long as children are part of a permanent group they should be together. The preschool teachers are trained to help children who are still in the process and also to quietly help children who have occasional "toileting accidents."

45. May my child be enrolled for the school year only and not during the summer?
Yes and no - You may choose to leave and re-enroll, but are not guaranteed placement.

46. When we take family vacations are we required to still pay for that week?
Yes. The center's costs continue and we regretfully must charge for times when a child is unable to attend either for vacation or illness. In the case of extended illness the director will make decisions on a one-to-one basis.

47. Does the yearly portfolio fee apply to infants?
Yes. This is a time of intense and exciting developmental leaps for a baby and it is important to document these accomplishments. In some ways it is more important time developmentally than for older children because it is a critical time for brain development as well as emotional, physical and social development in general.

48. Will my child have the same teacher all year?
Because of personal or professional circumstances this is impossible to guarantee. However, there are a number of reasons why we can be confident that Ready Set Grow is doing everything possible to ensure that our teaching staff stays with us for a very long time. First, we put great effort into offering salaries and benefits and a supportive work environment that will make our staff want to remain at the center. Second, we choose our teachers carefully and we require that lead teachers have degrees in child development or a related field and that they are committed professionals who are eager to do the best possible job with children in their care.

49. Will there be a parent's open house?
Yes. There will be many parents' nights and many opportunities for parents to meet other parents and the staff and to become more familiar with the philosophies and practices of Ready Set Grow!

50. Do you teach religion? Do you allow a child to pray before meals?

 Ready Set Grow is non-sectarian and does not teach religion. That is the right and the responsibility of each individual family. However, a central part of the Ready Set Grow philosophy is to help children develop into responsible people who respect and care for the rights of others. Moral/character development is important in helping children to become empathetic, caring members of the community. This process begins in the home and Ready Set Grow reinforces your parental efforts in this aspect of a child's development. We respect each child and will offer a time for any child to independently pray before meals.

51. What is a typical day like for a Preschool child?

Children in our Preschool Program are assigned to home rooms with other children in their age group. A pair of teachers is responsible for their care for the entire day. Our Preschool children rotate as a group with one of their home room teachers through our subject-specific classrooms. We currently offer Language Arts, Math, Science and Social Sutdies, Music and Drama, Art, as well as time set aside for indoor or outdoor active play. The rotation begins at approximately 8:30 a.m. each morning Monday through Thursday. On Fridays, children do not rotate, but are taught in their homerooms by their homeroom teachers.

Additionally, children in our Preschool program attend a small-group phonics class 2 or 3 days a week. In this class, the children learn the building blocks of reading through the mastery of letter sounds and blending. The phonics curriculum relies heavily on the use of the proven Hooked On Phonics® program.