Parents' Page

Welcome Families

Enrollment

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At Big Imaginations, we proudly welcome children ages 1 through 5. We are committed to inclusivity and do not discriminate based on ethnicity, economic status, family structure, language, religion, gender, national origin, or disability.

To ensure a smooth enrollment process, parents are encouraged to keep their child’s information current and up to date. We look forward to nurturing your child’s growth and creativity in our vibrant learning environment!

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Policies

Drop-Off:
  • Hours: Children must be dropped off by 9:10 AM each morning.
  • Late Drop-Off: If your child has an appointment, they can be dropped off by 10:30 AM, provided a doctor’s note is submitted upon arrival.
Pick-Up:
  • 9-Hour Day Limit: Each child must be picked up within 9 hours of their drop-off time. Please plan accordingly. A $5 per minute charge applies after the 9th hour.
  • Communication: If you anticipate being late, please call the school to inform us. This helps us ensure your child’s safety and comfort.
Late Fees:
  • A late fee of $5 per minute will be applied if your child is not picked up before the center closes.

In the event of inclement weather, Big Imaginations follows Berkeley County School District closings. Parents will receive notices through BrightWheel and/or a phone call.

The center will be forced to close in the event of power/water outages, water/electrical/structural damage, natural disasters, or outbreaks requiring quarantine. The children’s safety is our number one priority. Tuition is due in full, regardless of closures.

  1. Meet the Team and Tour the Center: Before your first day, you can expect a warm welcome! You’ll take a tour of Big Imaginations CDC to meet your teachers, staff, and the children. This is a great opportunity to familiarize yourself with the classrooms, play areas, and overall environment. Engaging with everyone will help you feel more at home and start building connections.
  2. Learn Policies and Routines: You will also go over the center’s policies and daily routines. This includes information on child safety, discipline methods, and emergency procedures. Understanding these guidelines is essential for creating a secure and supportive atmosphere for the children.
What to Bring on Your First Day
  1. Updated Immunization Records:
    Ensure that you have the latest immunization records as required by the center.
  2. Fees:
    Bring tuition for your first week and any annual registration fees. Confirm the payment method in advance.
  3. Completed Application:
    Have your application form filled out, signed, and dated to streamline the enrollment process.
  4. Extra Set of Seasonally Appropriate Clothing:
    Pack a complete change of clothes, including:
  • Underwear
  • Socks
  • Shoes
  • Pants
  • Shirt
    Make sure everything is appropriate for the current season!
  1. Small Blanket:
    A small blanket will be needed for rest time.
  2. Water Bottle:
  3. A labeled reusable water bottle to be refilled throughout the day.
  4. Label All Items:
    Clearly label all items with your name. Big Imaginations CDC is not responsible for any lost, stolen, or damaged items, so keeping everything identifiable is important.
  5. Download and Set Up Your Brightwheel Account:
    Before your first day, download the Brightwheel app and set up your account. This platform will help you stay connected with teachers and manage daily communications effectively.

Attendance is crucial in creating the predictable routines necessary for growth and development. Instruction time begins at 9:00am. Families are encouraged to arrive in time for full participation in learning activities.

Families must make eye contact with the appropriate teacher and receive confirmation of their arrival. Each child must be checked into brightwheel using the QR code posted on the door.

Authorized adults listed in the application are able to pick up. When someone who does not routinely pick up, photo identification is required before entering the building. The name on the identification must match the name listed on the child’s pickup list. Children will not be released to an unauthorized adult. If this causes a disruption in our daily operations, 911 will be called and the person(s) will be escorted off the premises.

Parents must come in to add additional authorized adults to their child’s application. Big Imaginations will not accept phone calls to add person(s) to pick up. If there is a court order prohibiting any individual from having access to a child, the school must have a copy of the documentation.

Parents will have full access to their child(ren). Until custody has been established by court action, one parent may not limit the other from picking-up a child in our care. The center must be notified immediately of any changes in custody orders. Certified custody orders must be given to the center director.

Uniforms are optional at our school, and students are welcome to express themselves through their clothing choices. However, some families find that wearing a uniform helps simplify mornings and takes the guesswork out of what to wear each day. Whether you choose to wear a uniform or not, comfort and confidence are what matters most!

Click here to order your child’s Big Imaginations’ shirt.

Wobblers: Yellow

Tiny Tots: Light Blue

Preschool: Orange

Pre-Kindergarten: Forest Green

Appropriate adult supervision is required at all times, both in the classroom and on the playground. No child is ever to be left unattended or out of a teacher’s sight. Teachers will conduct name-to-face head counts frequently and during each transition. The Department of Social Services determines the ratios followed by BICDC.

We use the Ages and Stages Questionnaire for winter and spring assessments. Results and progress will be shared during family conferences, held twice a year.

Assessment data in early childhood education is crucial for several reasons:

  1. Individualized Learning: It helps educators understand each child’s unique strengths, needs, and interests, allowing for tailored instructional strategies that support optimal learning.
  2. Early Intervention: Identifying developmental delays or learning challenges early on enables timely interventions, which can significantly improve long-term outcomes.
  3. Tracking Progress: Regular assessments allow teachers and parents to monitor a child’s growth over time, ensuring that they are meeting developmental milestones.
  4. Informed Decision-Making: Data-driven insights empower educators to make informed decisions about curriculum and teaching practices, ensuring they are effective and responsive.
  5. Engagement of Families: Sharing assessment data with families fosters collaboration and encourages parents to be active participants in their child’s learning journey.

Outdoor play is a vital extension of our curriculum, designed to enhance children’s physical development and social skills. We encourage teachers to bring engaging materials outside to enrich learning experiences. We recommend that children have daily outdoor playtime, weather permitting, so please ensure they are dressed appropriately for the season, including rain gear and closed-toe shoes. We adhere to the Child Care Weather Watch guidelines regarding temperature and safety.

Our center frequently organizes nature walks, prioritizing safety at all times. A center phone will be available for communication in case of an emergency, and we maintain tracking sheets to provide adequate supervision throughout these activities.

The purpose of this policy is to support and encourage active play, helping children develop fundamental movement skills. We promote a variety of age-appropriate physical activities that are enjoyable and engaging. Every child will have the opportunity to enjoy at least 90 minutes of outdoor play each day, weather permitting.

Staff members are committed to ensuring that children have consistent opportunities for physical activity. Opportunities for play are never withheld, except when a child’s behavior poses a risk to themselves or others. We do not use physical activity or exercise as a form of punishment, and we avoid enforcing consequences that restrict playtime or physical activity.

Instead, our school employs alternative strategies for addressing negative behaviors. We believe that every child deserves the chance to play and engage actively in their learning environment.