The following is a list of rules and regulations governing our child care agreement as it contains important information about your child’s school and outline the school’s expectations of parents. It also constitutes an agreement between Little Bee Preschool (Little Bee Group, Inc.) and you.

Thus, please read these questions and answers (policies) thoroughly. If you have any questions or need clarification, kindly reach out to us prior to signing.

 

📃💰 Enrollment & Tuition

Do I need to pay a deposit to secure my child’s enrollment?
  • Yes, a $3,000 non-interest-bearing deposit is required to secure your child’s enrollment.
  • The payment can be made via Automated Clearing House (ACH) transfer. You will provide your bank account number and routing number, which we use to automatically debit the amount.
  • Once you submit your enrollment package and pay the security deposit, your child’s space is reserved and your child is considered enrolled at Little Bee. At that point, the 60-day written notice of termination requirement becomes effective, regardless of whether your child has begun attending.
  • If you decide not to continue after enrollment, you must provide at least 60 days’ written notice, even if your child has not yet started. You are responsible for tuition for the full 60-day notice period. Failure to provide the required notice, or to pay tuition during that period, results in forfeiture of your $3,000 deposit — and forfeiture does not satisfy the 60-day obligation; you remain responsible for any unpaid balance.
  • Your deposit is refunded within 10 days of your child’s last day, provided the 60-day written notice was given, all notice-period tuition is paid, and there is no outstanding balance.
When is tuition due?
  • Full monthly payment is due on the 1st day of each month.
  • After the 1st day of each month, a late fee of $100 will be charged on late payments.
  • We recognize that things happen; to a reasonable extent we will try to accommodate extenuating circumstances, but the late fee still applies if payment is made after the 1st.
  • Recurrent overdue payments may result in us no longer being able to provide preschool services for your child.
  • If tuition is not received by the 15th day of the month, your child is considered withdrawn as of the 16th day of the month, and a 60-day tuition obligation applies beginning on that date.
  • We use ACH debit to process monthly tuition, withdrawn at the end of each month (this may take place 1 to 3 days before month-end).
Can I use the security deposit as payment for my final month of tuition?
  • No, the security deposit cannot be used for tuition payments.
Is there a tuition reduction for holidays, breaks, or missed days?
  • The monthly fee is not adjusted for holidays, breaks, or school days missed, whether full-time or part-time.
  • For example, if tuition is $3,000/month in July, you pay the full $3,000 even with the 4th-of-July break.
Are there any additional fees?
  • Activity fees are collected by our parent volunteers, referred to as the “Parent-Teacher Association” (“PTA”).
  • You will be notified of these fees via email once your enrollment is completed.

🔄️📇 Changes & Withdrawal

Can I switch between full-time and part-time schedules?
  • Schedule changes are subject to availability and often difficult to accommodate.
  • If you need to change your child’s schedule (i.e., full-time to part-time), please let us know in advance and we will do our best to accommodate your request.
How far in advance do I need to notify Little Bee that my child will be leaving?
  • A 60-day written notice must be submitted if you intend to leave Little Bee.
  • Starting the day we receive notice, you pay for 60 more days of tuition at your current rate.
  • If necessary, your deposit will be used to cover some or all of the tuition due.
  • Without a 60-day written notice, your deposit is forfeited and you owe any additional tuition for those 60 days.
  • The 60-day period is counted as calendar days. For example:
    • If your child is leaving on February 1st, you must provide written notice on December 3rd — even if there is winter break in between.
    • If you give notice on March 15th, you are responsible for tuition through May 14th.
  • Useful tip: search “60 days from today” in your browser (‘today’ being the day you give notice) to find your child’s last day.
  • After giving notice, you are responsible for tuition through the next 60 days regardless of full- or part-time schedule, weekends, or holidays.
What if my child leaves in the middle of the month?
  • For partial months, we prorate tuition based on how many days your child attends and how many days are in the month.
  • For example, leaving on May 5th means paying 5 of the 31 days in May — 5/31, or about 16% of May’s tuition.
Can my child stay in the Toddler program after turning two?
  • No — your child will transition to preschool, a key step in their development, typically around age two.
  • Depending on availability, your child is placed at either our Lombard Street or Presidio location.
  • Before the transition, we consult with you on location preference, though we may not always be able to accommodate it.

⚖️🛡️ Licensing, Termination & Closures

What are the reasons for termination of enrollment?
  • Enrollment may be terminated if any of the following occur:
    • A child presents a danger to self or others;
    • The tuition account becomes delinquent;
    • The child’s special needs are beyond the Preschool’s scope of care; or
    • Parents/guardians fail to comply with the policies outlined in the Parent Handbook.
What are the Licensing Agency’s rights?
  • The Department of Social Services or Child Care Licensing Agency has the right to interview children or staff and inspect records without prior consent.
  • The agency may conduct private interviews, inspect records, and observe children for signs of abuse or neglect.
What are the provider’s reporting responsibilities?
  • All childcare providers are mandated reporters of child abuse or neglect.
  • They are required to report any suspicions to the appropriate authorities.

📑🏫 Preparing for School

Can I stay and observe my child on the first day?
  • We encourage parents to prepare children beforehand — talking, reading books, and building excitement before the first day.
  • It is best to say goodbye with confidence at drop-off; your positive energy helps them adjust more smoothly.
  • Useful tip: to help your child acclimate, pick up at 12:30 PM the first week, then right after nap at 3:30 PM the second week.
  • As each child’s temperament and acclimation vary, the suggested early pick-up is tailored to each child’s needs.
Can children bring a special toy/blanket to school to ease their transition?
  • Yes — a special toy/blanket may be used during nap time only. Once nap time is over, the item is stored away.
We don’t speak Mandarin. Will my child get confused at home?
  • Children quickly understand there are different ways to communicate — a “school” language and a “home” language.
  • Any confusion is transient; children seamlessly figure out their world in both English and Mandarin.
  • It’s incredible to witness the millions of neural connections they build, enabling them to thrive in both.

🕑🚌 Drop-off & Pick-up Policies

What are the Preschool’s drop-off and pick-up times?
  • Drop-off: 8:00 – 9:00 AM.
    • After 9:30 AM, the next available drop-off is at 12:00 PM.
    • Please schedule any necessary appointments before 9:00 AM or later in the afternoon.
    • No teacher is available between 9:30 AM and 12:00 PM.
  • Pick-up: 4:00 – 5:30 PM.
    • For an earlier pick-up, please send a text or email in advance.
Is there a fee for late pickup?
  • Yes — the late fee is $5 per minute after 5:30 PM, added to your monthly invoice.
If parents can’t pick up their child, can they send a friend or family member?
  • Yes. If the usual authorized parent or guardian is unable to pick up, email and text us the name and a photo of the person in advance.
  • That person must show a photo ID at pick-up.

⚠️🛑 Disciplinary Policy

How does the Preschool handle discipline?
  • If there is a conflict, we use positive redirection — redirecting attention and turning a negative situation into a positive one.
  • We also encourage children to resolve conflicts by sharing perspectives or apologizing to each other.
What is the Preschool’s policy on biting, hitting, and scratching?
  • Children generally don’t act to hurt; more often, due to limited verbal or self-regulation skills, they are trying to communicate frustration physically.
  • If a child continually causes harm to others (i.e., more than 3 incidents), we request the child stay home for a day and return after parents have thoroughly talked with them about the behavior.
  • To protect privacy, names of children are not released in the event of conflict.

🦺🚨 Emergency Procedures

How does the Preschool manage emergencies?
  • In a life-threatening medical situation, we call 911 and the parents.
  • If necessary, we perform CPR and provide First-Aid.
  • If we cannot reach parents or emergency contacts, we call an ambulance (parents are responsible for all medical, ambulance, hospital, and related fees).
  • We conduct earthquake and fire drills every 3 months, using our “Emergency Tree” notification (text/email from beacon parents) to let you know if the school will close or where to pick up your child.
  • In the rare event of a natural disaster — earthquake, fire, flooding, or hazardous air quality — the school may close on short notice to safeguard students and teachers.
What happens during rare emergency closures?
  • In rare events such as earthquake, fire, flooding, or hazardous air quality, the school may close on short notice.
  • No refunds are provided for closures due to natural disasters or emergency-related circumstances.

🌳⛅ Nature Outings & Outdoor Activities

What nature outings or outdoor activities will my child attend?
  • We use our natural surroundings as our classroom for about 3–4 hours per day.
  • Daily destinations include trails and the tunnel-top playground inside:
    • the Presidio,
    • Crissy Field / Beach,
    • the Palace of Fine Arts,
    • the Marina Green and Fort Mason, and
    • local community gardens.
  • Our school also provides a large yard with numerous play structures.

🚽💧 Diapering & Potty Training

Do I need to bring diapers and wipes for my child?
  • Yes, please bring a package of diapers and wipes.
  • We will let you know when supplies are running low.
My child is almost potty trained. Can I send them to school in underwear?
  • For sanitary reasons, children stay in pull-ups until fully potty-trained at school (a child may be trained at home but not yet at school).
  • To wear underwear at school, a child must verbally tell teachers they need the potty and be able to “hold it” until reaching the toilet.
  • We respect each child’s natural potty-training timeline and will help and guide them when they’re ready.

🥟💤 Snacks, Lunch & Nap Time

Do I need to bring food for my child?
  • Parents bring lunch every Monday, preferably food that doesn’t require refrigeration.
  • Clearly label your child’s name on the lunch bag and all containers.
  • Note: we are a nut-free school.
My child requires a special diet — can you make a separate snack?
  • No, we are not able to individualize meals or snacks.
  • Parents must provide meals and snacks according to their child’s dietary restrictions.
Do I need to bring a nap mat for nap time?
  • Yes, a nap mat is required.
  • Due to limited space, please buy only our recommended brand, Hi-Sprouts, available on amazon.com.
  • Also bring a large pillowcase labeled with your child’s name to store the nap mat.
What if my child doesn’t sleep during nap time?
  • We believe in a structured sleeping routine so children know what to expect.
  • Nap time is roughly 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM.
  • It usually takes a short adjustment period, and children generally adapt quickly.
  • If your child doesn’t sleep, nap time is quiet time to rest, reflect, and refuel.

💊🩺 Medications & Sick Policy

Will Little Bee teachers administer medicine to my child?
  • No, we do not administer medication at school.
  • If your child needs prescribed medicine, a parent must come to school to administer it.
Can I bring my child to school if they’re sick?
  • If your child shows any of these symptoms — vomiting, diarrhea, a fever of 100°F or over, unusual hives or rashes, or any contagious disease — please keep them home.
  • Wait 48 hours for all symptoms to disappear before returning.
  • For unusual symptoms such as hives or rashes, bring a doctor’s note clearing your child to return.
  • Note: at drop-off we won’t admit a child showing these symptoms, and if symptoms appear during the day we’ll call you to pick up your child.

🚫🏕️ School Closures & Camps

Is the Preschool open year-round?
  • We are open year-round, but closed for national holidays, spring break, summer break, and winter break.
  • For details, see the school calendar on the Parent Resources page.
Does the Preschool offer camps during seasonal breaks?
  • Childcare Camp is subject to teacher availability and class demand.

📝💡 Parents’ Responsibilities & Volunteer Opportunities

What are my responsibilities when sending my child to Little Bee?
  • Label your child’s name on all belongings.
  • Ensure the bag contains an extra set of clothing (top, pants, underwear, and socks).
  • Take the nap mat home for washing on the last school day (Thursday/Friday) and return it on the first school day (Monday/Tuesday).
  • Dress your child in comfortable, closed-toe shoes; avoid Crocs, sandals, or open-toed shoes — Velcro shoes are recommended.
  • Bring any requested curriculum materials (e.g., show-and-tell items) as instructed by the teacher.
I would like to volunteer — how may I participate?
  • If you are a musician, chef, artist, rocket scientist, or have fun skills to share, please reach out with any ideas!
  • We’d love to coordinate a time for you to come and conduct a short class with the children.

📒🚩 Helpful Information

After my child is enrolled, what are the next steps?
  • You will be asked to accept a few invitations, such as:
  • A Google Group invitation (email) to view whole-group emails, curriculum plans, menus, and newsletters.
    • Please create a Google Workspace (Gmail) account if you don’t have one.
    • Accessing our correspondence on other platforms has caused difficulty in the past.
  • A Google Photos Streaming invitation (email) to view daily photo postings.
    • All school pictures are deleted after one week; we don’t store backups.
    • Please download the pictures you’d like to keep.
Is parent contact information shared with other families?
  • Parent contact information is stored in a family directory, accessible only by current students.
  • Sharing helps families connect and organize playdates; we respect privacy preferences and keep your info confidential if you prefer.
When are Parent-Teacher Conferences held?
  • Twice a year — once in spring and once in fall — each session lasting 2 days.
  • Parents are encouraged to sign up; the sign-up sheet is emailed 2 weeks prior.
Is a school T-shirt required for field trips?
  • Yes — a school T-shirt is required for field trips and outings, helping staff readily identify Little Bee children among other kids.
  • A non-refundable $20 T-shirt fee is added to your first month’s tuition.
How are PTA and activity fees collected?
  • PTA and activity fees are collected by our parent volunteers, referred to as the “Big Bees” (“BB”).
How will I be notified of my child’s admission?
  • You will be notified via email once admitted to Little Bee.
What items are banned at school?
  • Nuts, fancy jewelry, coins or money, and sharp items such as pins.
  • Electronic items such as iPads or iPhones.
  • Personal toys, unless for Show and Tell day or nap time.
What is the policy for celebration treats?
  • Celebrations are held at times teachers deem suitable.
  • For a birthday treat to share, contact the school beforehand with ingredients listed.
  • To avoid food allergies, be prepared to bring alternative treats for children who may have allergies.
What should I bring for the birthday celebration?
  • Please supply your own utensils, candles, and plates.
Can I bring goody bags for my child’s birthday?
  • Optional goody bags are welcome, but they may not contain small toys or candies that pose a choking hazard.