FAQ's

Answers to many of the frequently asked questions received each day at Toddlerbright by both phone and e-mail are found here on the faq’s page.


Are you a licensed, registered, or listed child care home?

I have a fully licensed child care home and have been issued a permit to operate as such 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.


What is your licensed capacity?

My licensed capacity is twelve at any given time. My enrollment has been as high as 3 times my capacity.


On average, how many children do you provide care for during normal preschool hours (6:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.)?

My daily average is between 9 and 12. The age breakdown is typically as follows: 12 (eight toddlers and four 4 year-olds); 11 (one infant, six toddlers, and four 4-year olds); 10 (two infants, five toddlers, three 4 year-olds). I rarely provide care for young infants during the day unless attendance is low.


Do you provide overnight care?

Yes. I do offer nighttime care to families with children ages 3-months to 5-years. Older children up to age 12 may be accepted depending on enrollment circumstances. Contact me for details. Drop-off times are between 5:30 and 8:30 p.m., and pick-up times are between 5:30 and 8:30 a.m. the following morning.


How about part time care?

Sorry. No part time care is offered with the exception weekends and occasional drop-ins. Full time rates apply during weekdays regardless of whether your child attends one day or one night, or five days or five nights.


Are there limitations on drop-in care?

Yes. Drop-in care is based on space availability, which is rare during daytime hours. Infants under the age of 12-months are not accepted for drop-in care.


Do families receive paid vacation time?

Yes. Families receive 1 week of free vacation or sick leave time per year (specifics are outlined in tuition contracts). Additionally, families whose children are enrolled in Toddlerbright are not charged child care fees during the week of Christmas.


How long have you worked in the child care field?

I've worked in the professional field for eight years, having operated Toddlerbright for a little over two. I don't count caring for my own children as a single father because caring for someone else's children is an entirely different type of experience. The same applies to my experience in working as a nanny while attending university, although I did consider myself a professional nanny and absolutely loved every moment of it. All totaled, I have over 20,000 hours of direct contact in caring for other people's children.


Are your children living at home now?

No. My son and daughter are both grown and have children of their own: two boys named John. I have recently asked my daughter to join with me in the fun and my fingers remain crossed.


Do you have any employees?

No, not at the moment. The truth of the matter is that I spent more time babysitting employees when I worked as director of a large daycare facility than I spent in caring for the children. What I'm doing now in working alone is a vacation in comparison.


What is your educational background?

I have a little over 5 years of university studies with 2 of those years specifically targeting coursework in child development and early childhood education. My clock training hour courses in child care management as required by law are simply too numerous to mention.


Do you hold any other certifications besides that of a Texas Child Care Director?

Yes. I'm also a certified food manager and maintain first aid basics training and pediatric CPR as required by law.


Are you a member of any professional organizations?

Yes. I'm a member of the National Association for Family Child Care and the Texas Association for Family Child Care.


Do you smoke?

No. I have asthma and I'm extremely mindful of a clean environment (living, working, and/or otherwise).


Do you have any pets?

Yes. I inherited my daughter's cat when she left home. He's very old, and very docile. All of his wellness reports are on file and his immunizations are up to date as required by licensing.


Do you accept child care subsidies (CCS)?

No. And I have no immediate plans to do so.


What is your normal policy for billing?

All fees are due and payable by 6:00 p.m. on Mondays, in advance. You are required to pay before services are rendered.


Do I have to pay when my child is absent?

Yes. Fees are not prorated and there are no refunds for time not used.


What is your policy if I'm late picking up my child?

I don't impose late fees of any kind. As a frequent commuter to major universities, I fully understand that there will be times when you're genuinely stuck in traffic. However, if you become a habitual offender then I will simply ask you to find child care elsewhere.


What is you policy if I'm late with a payment?

Read the last statement above.


What type of payments do you accept?

Payments are accepted either online, which I prefer, or in cash for exact amounts. I do not charge online transaction fees.


Are meals and snacks included in the cost of tuition?

Yes. I participate in the USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program sponsored through Southwestern Human Development Services. All meals and snacks are prepared according to strict dietary guidelines and are free of charge.


May my child bring food from home?

No. With the exception of special diets or infants who are unable to eat table food, your child is not allowed to bring food from home. Special diets must accompany a physician's statement. This includes exclusion from milk products.


Do you provide after school care and transportation as well?

No. I don't provide after school care or transportation for school-aged children.


Do you have a dress code?

Yes. Clothing should be the type that can be easily managed by young, inexperienced fingers in the case of potty trained or training children. Young toddlers need to be dressed in easily removed babywear to ensure quick diaper changes. Overalls and onesies with a dozen inseam snaps are strongly discouraged. All shoes need to be closed-toe sneaker type. No crocs, clogs, jellies, sandals, flip-flops, boots, or hard sole shoes are allowed.


What is your discipline policy?

I practice age appropriate discipline. Younger children (figuratively speaking, below 30 months) are redirected. I begin by making my expectations clear with all ages, and then gentle reminders when rules are broken. Positive reinforcement is enacted for good behavior. In rare instances, older children may lose privileges or receive time out for unruly behavior.


What type of activities do you provide?

My curriculum includes a combination of teacher and child-directed activities. I incorporate six hierarchal teaching domains for young children: Physical, Mathematical, Socio-Emotional, Language, Creative Expression, and Explorations. My preferred method of teaching is Piagean based in that young children learn best through play. I strongly oppose the use of worksheets in a child care setting, and I'm no fan of flash cards or similar rote teaching practices. I consider myself an outside-of-the-box thinker. Crayons are not just for coloring. They also make nifty candles when melted down.