Are you licensed and insured?

Blessed Beginnings is licensed under OCDEL (office of childhood development and early learning) and insured through McMahon Ferguson Associates.

What types of payment do you accept?

Blessed Beginnings uses an app called Brightwheel. All payments are made using that app.

What is the difference between Pre-school and Pre-K counts?

Pre-K counts is a state funded grant program for children ages 3-5 years. Families must be income eligible to apply and receive a spot with-in the Pre-K counts program.

Can I check on my child throughout the day?

Blessed Beginnings uses and app called Brightwheel. Brightwheel is used as a means of communication between caregiver and parent. Parents/guardians are encouraged to message their child's teacher during the day if they have questions or concerns. Most teachers are able to real time post meals, diaper/toilet checks and nap times. Safety is our main concern so there may be times where Brightwheel is not immediately updated.

What is the child to teacher ratio?

Infant 1:4     -     Young Toddler 1:5     -     Older Toddler 1:6     -     Preschool 1:10      -    School-age 1:12

Are meals and snacks provided?

Yes - Blessed Beginnings participates in the CACFP (Child and Adult Care Food Program). With this program we are able to supply the children with a healthy breakfast, a full meal for lunch and an afternoon snack. Infant formula supplement, as well as baby foods and snacks are also provided as part of that program.

What security measures do you have?

At both of our locations our doors are securely locked and require a key card to enter.

Do you provide diapers?

Blessed Beginnings does not supply diapers, however we do supply wipes.

What is your drop-off/pick-up policy?

South Williamsport facility will accept children up to 10am. After 10am children will need a Drs. note to attend for the remainder of the day. 

Loyalsock facility will accept children beginning at 6:30am for our wrap-around care. Pre-K counts begins at 9am. Children will be received until 9:30am. After 9:30am children will need a Drs. note to attend for the remainder of the day.

Both facilities close at 5:30pm. Late charges will incur for children picked-up later than 5:30pm. Pre-K counts program ends at 4pm and late charges will apply to children with-in that program that are not picked up prior to 4pm.

Do you have different part-time and full-time rates?

Yes. Part-time rates apply to children who attend 1-3 days/ week.

What is your illness policy?

Should your child become ill during the day, you will be notified as soon as possible. We do not send home for the common cold, unless accompanied by a fever or other symptoms. Children will be sent home at a temperature of 100.4 or higher for a fever or are showing other signs and symptoms, such as: sore throat, rash, vomiting, diarrhea. In the event that your child is sent home because they have thrown up, have diarrhea or any other illness that could infect other children and staff they may not return until they have been symptom free for 24 hours and without symptom reducers.

What items should I supply for my child?

Blanket, crib sheet, diaper cream if needed, diapers, extra clothes. Wipes and sunscreen are provided by the center but you may choose to bring in your own. 

Medication Policy

Please note that all medications must be logged and stored in the office. If your child has been placed on an antibiotic, he/she needs to be taking the medicine for at least 24 hours before returning.  Prescription medication: State law requires that prescription medication be brought in the original container, in order to be administered in a school facility. The prescription medication must contain the following information on the label: Child’s name, prescription name, Doctor’s name, dosage amount, pharmacy name and phone number, instructions for administration, and the dates the medicine is to be used for.  If you fail to bring your child’s prescribed medication to daycare you will be asked to go home and get it, or take the child home and give them the required dosage.   Over the counter medication: May include but are not limited to:   1.  Antihistamines, 2.  NON-aspirin fever reducing/pain reliever 3.  Decongestants 4.  Anti-itching ointment or lotions 5.  Diaper rash ointments or lotions 6.  Sun screen 7. Cough syrup 8. Teething gels 9. Insect repellant   May be administered only with a note from the parent. All medications must be in the original container, indicating the child’s name, and amount and time of dosage. If any of them will be taken differently than indicated on the labels or for more than 5 days, we will need a note from the physician.   Medication is stored in a specific location at each center so that we can control the medication logs and the expiration of medication. Please see your child’s teacher to inform them that your child has medication and the time that it will need administered. At our Loyalsock facility you will need to see the director to sign-in your child’s medication. Before we can administer any medication, you must sign the medication into the medication log.  At our South Williamsport facility, you will need to go to the Assistant Director's office to sign-in your child’s medication.  We cannot and will not administer any medication that is not signed-in by a parent or guardian. Once a medication has expired we will notify you and you will have 48 hours to pick it up. After 48 hours, we will dispose of it. If your child is no longer required to take a medication, you will have 48 hours to pick it up or we will dispose of it. If your child takes a medication daily and it is recurring, you will be required to complete a new medication form each month. If a child will be on long term meds, or as needed medications like asthma inhalers, a note from your doctor will be required to put in our files.   Medications that are not being used must be sent back home.  Only asthma type medications can be kept here to be used when needed.   Please make sure that you notify the child’s teacher or assistant teacher if they need to receive any medicine so that it can be properly administered. Please provide any necessary droppers, medicine spoons or dosage containers needed. Please DO NOT leave your child’s medicine in a diaper-bag, mailbox/ cubby and DO NOT put it in their sippy cup or bottle. You may come to the Center at any time during the day to give your child medications. This does not require written permission, although we will ask you to sign our medication log so that we know what you have given and whether there may be side effects.  

Other questions may be answer by reviewing the parent handbook, located on the forms tab, or by calling 570-601-4600 #1