Robin's Advice
Pregnancy Advice | New Parents | Potty Training

New Parent Information

Thank you for choosing Robin’s Nest for your childcare needs. Working together we can make this arrangement a good experience for your child, you, and the employees who help take care of us.

Please drive slowly in the driveway and try to stay off the grass. Children must be wearing seat belts or be securely fastened in an approved car seat or booster seat when they come and go from the center. Come into the circular driveway on the far end so the passenger door is on the side of the house. Pull up and over enough to the right so that a car can pass you on the driver’s side while staying off the grass. If you are picking up at a time when there are a lot of other parents, please make sure to pull all the way up to leave room for all the cars. Do not leave your car running. (One of my parents was a police officer and wanted to give a ticket to another parent). Also please don’t let your child be unsupervised outside of the house. Walk your child to and from the car and in and out of the building. Do not let them go on the mulched area or touch the outside lights.

Bring a small bag for your child with only a few necessary items such as two changes of clothes, or extra shoes. Things such as medicines or adult items are not necessary. We are trying to limit the space and confusion that is caused by such items. I lose stuff, socks in particular. Please do not bring anything that has sentimental value, or that has to be picked up each day. Sometimes I just can’t find something, most things show up within a few days, but it did take me over a year to find a shoe. I have clothes that I use for your children if we don’t have any of yours. Please label your formula, diapers, coats and bags, shoes, socks, etc. I have a permanent marker if you need it.

I write a lot of information on the white board. Try to look at it when you drop off and pick up. Help me keep track of your overtime if you come before or after your contract hours and remember that the time starts and stops when you open and close the door. Please pay your fees, overtime, late payment fees and bounced checks without trying to renegotiate your contract.

Tell me if your child has any symptoms that might be from an illness. October and February are the months most kids get sick. I can’t tell you about every sneeze the children have but if more than one child gets something contagious, I usually write something on the white board and try to inform all the parents. To help cut down on illness, wash your child’s hands before they leave your home and wash the germs you have collected in the adult world before you pick them up. It takes 20 full second of friction to get the germs off. Pay particular attention to rubbing the creases in your hands, your knuckles and around your rings. Purell hand sanitizer is a great thing to have in your car to use before you pick up your child. Regulations require that I have written permission from a parent to administer medication including suntan and diaper lotions. A parent must administer the first dose of prescription medication and the container must be labeled by the pharmacy. You might want to sign a form for some medication to be administered as needed like diaper and suntan lotion and Tylenol. You can also sign the form with verbal authorization from a parent vs. as needed if you want to for Tylenol, bee sting wipes, Neosporin, etc. You must provide these medications.

Communication with me is extremely important; if you have any questions, please talk to me. Communication is the key that the parent and provider need to use in order to ensure a valuable experience for both you and your child.

Trying to meet your childcare expenses can be very difficult for most parents. I’m not asking for any more or less than my contract, states, however, we do accept a bonus, especially around Christmas. The best bonus is when you express how good we are doing. We can use plastic bags; occasional photocopying and I take all “stuff”. Parents have donated couches, toys, clothes and any other goodwill type stuff and professional services. I’ve given it to other parents, employees and traded it at a consignment store for things I need. I am very willing to give out business cards and info for your business to pass out to any other customers. However, please continue the interest using their home and phone. My husband sells windows, my son Christopher does computer support work. A lot of parents have gotten to know each other thru their children. I will be glad to distribute birthday party invitations in the children’s folder. I can supply you with a list of the names of your child’s friends if you want me to.

I have two phone lines in my home. (301) 926-BABY is the one to call, however, if line one is busy; you can try line 2, which is 926-9112. Please make your checks payable to Robin Rice NOT Robin’s Nest. I will be glad to sign receipts for your job, just fill out a form and I will sign it. My EIN # is 52-1792396 and my license # is 15-494418.

If you had two identical centers, with identical space, equipment, staff and children, the quality of the care for the children can be increased or decreased by the consideration of the day care parents.

Thank you for your support and understanding