BACKGROUND: ( go back to the top )

Daytime Playtime Schooltime is a place where children have fun with others, develop a joy for learning and learn that school is a good place to be that can be trusted.

Children of this age are all at various stages, depending on their birth date, experiences they have had and their position in the family. No two are alike and any comparison of children is not appropriate teaching. They are all learning….in different ways and at different rates.

The most important aspect of their development at this period in their young lives is social development. It is so vital to later years and also for good mental health. It is important they have positive experiences within a group, learn how to belong and feel a part of the group, while learning empathy and caring for each other. There is no child alive, who does not want or need friends.

Our preschool program emphasizes all the different stages of a preschooler's development. There is a mixture of both self-directed and teacher directed activities, with a curriculum that follows each child's age and level of progress. We offer a flexible daily schedule that incorporates independent learning, structured small & large group activities as well as circle time.

Our curriculum is designed to grow along with your child, teaching essential skills in a logical, natural sequence that encourages children to learn, step by step in a nurturing family-like atmosphere. Our small class sizes and low student to teacher ratios give students the individualized attention that they deserve. Children receive individual assessments and detailed written progress reports twice a year to monitor and track individual progress.

Our strong, literacy-based approach teaches writing and reading readiness, as well as daily activities in math, science, and art. The curriculum is designed around a monthly theme that ties all the disciplines together with a common thread. Children also have computer time and are introduced to foreign language.

Our daily schedule includes time for independent free play, giving each child time to develop on his/her own, discovering his/her interests, skills, and strengths. As well as small and large group activities, in which the children participate in stories, songs, and other activities fostering listening skills, creativity and social development. Our school is equipped with a math & science room, a reading & writing room, a state-of-the-art computer lab, an art room, and an interactive music and movement area. Each day, the students rotate their time in each of the various learning labs.

We also offer an extracurricular program called Lunch & Learn available after regular class time for additional fun and enrichment.

Every activity is geared to help your child learn important academic skills, learn to relate and work with others, as well as develop patience and self-control. At Daytime Playtime, we strive to help each child gain independence and confidence, as we prepare your child for Kindergarten.

OUR TEACHERS: ( go back to the top )

Ms. Adriana Carvajal
Adriana was born in Costa Rica where she grew up around her big loving family who still lives there and she misses terribly! During high school, Adriana worked in an orphanage in Santana where her love for children first began. While working there, she realized she wanted to make a career of working with children and started her education at the University of Costa Rica. In 2000 her father was transferred to the US and Adriana got started right away teaching Spanish to home school families.

In 2002 her daughter Mia was born followed by her son Markus in 2004. What she loves most is being a mom and how much her children motivate her to continue learning. She enjoys working with children and watching their skills and imagination to develop and grow!

Adriana resides in Gainesville with her children and 2 cats Willow and Stella. She loves playing with her kids, reading, taking nature walks, and going to the beach. She also enjoys visiting Costa Rica and her family when ever she can.

Ms. Adriana started with Daytime Playtime in January 2007 and has brought a wonderful energy to our program. She incorporates the Spanish language in exciting ways into her classes as well as focuses on learning through hands on activities and allowing children to use their imagination.

Ms. Belinda Hess
Belinda Hess has been with Daytime Playtime for 5 years. She has worked with the two, three and four year old classes. This year she will be teaching all the two year old classes and the three year old  afternoon classes.  Belinda's heart is full of love for teaching and playing with children. She gets so much joy from their little smiles and laughs. Her love for children goes all the way back to childhood where she would beg her own mother to adopt a little baby for her to take care of! Luckily for her mother, Belinda's older siblings were having their own children and Belinda never missed the opportunity to be their care giver!  This led Belinda to pursue an education in early childhood development. She attend Central Texas College. A job with United Airlines took Belinda in a different direction however. She moved to the Northern Virginia area in 1989. Belinda worked for United Airlines for 11 years before she quit to stay home with her children. She now has three children, Jacob 12yrs, Daniel 10yrs and Mandy 7yrs. They are the joy of her life. Belinda spends much of her time being a part of her children activities. Such as Scouts, sports and various school activities. In 2006, when Belinda divorced, she followed her heart and jumped back into the work force as a childcare giver. She took a position at a local health club as the director of childcare within the facility. Through contacts made in the health club,Belinda was offered a job with Daytime Playtime. She happily accepted and was (and still is) overjoyed to finally be doing what she was always meant to do. Belinda considers it an honor and a pleasure to be a part of the lives of the children who attend Daytime Playtime.

Ms. Blanca Rangel
Blanca was born in Dallas, Texas and raised in Manassas, VA. She had three older sisters and one older brother. She is twenty years old and has been working for two years at DTPT. She graduated from Stonewall Jackson High School. She recieved her associates degree in Teacher Specialization from Northern Virginia Community College. At Stonewall Jackson, she was involved with Today's Students Tommorrow's Teachers which is a group that assists students in realizing their goals in becoming a teacher. She has also worked with Pre-K at Ellis Elementary School and assisted in third grade ESL summer school at Loch Lomond Elementary. She plans on working in Prince William Elementary Schools once she recieves her masters in Pyschology with a minor in Education. 

She likes to hang out with her family and friends. She loves to dance, read and listen to music. She enjoys helping children in any way she can and hopes to make an impact in her student's lives. She is very excited to be starting a new school year withDaytime Playtime and looks forward to seeing new students.

Ms. Catherine De La Fe
Hello, my name is Catherine de la Fe and I am a teacher at Daytime Playtime. I have been with Daytime Playtime since the very first day they opened their doors as a preschool. I am amazed at the changes that have occurred and the wonderful families that I have been able to meet throughout the years. I still see many of my former students at the soccer fields and at the local parades and community activities here in Haymarket. I am a native citizen of this area meaning that I was born in Washington, D.C. and grew up in Reston, Virginia. I attended Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington. I moved to Seattle after graduation where I taught preschool. I decided to try some adventure, since I was young and joined the Peace Corps. I was sent to Costa Rica where I worked with the Ministry of Education and their local preschool programs teaching preschool. I also worked to train teachers both for preschool and for kindergarten programs. Once my service was finished with the Peace Corps, I worked as an English teacher at local elementary schools. I also helped to develop curriculum for their English programs. It was in Costa Rica where I met my husband and we had our first child. We decided to move back to the United States in 1996 and after living in Reston and Leesburg, we moved to Haymarket in 2004. We have 3 children~ Megan, Caitlin and Juan~ 2 dogs~ Socks and Tony and love living here in Haymarket. We love to spend our free time boating and playing in the water during the summer months.

Ms. Leslie Abell
She has been working in the early childhood education field for over 20 years, nine of which were as a preschool teacher and eleven years as a center director for a national chain of child care centers. She earned her Child Development Associate Credential in 1997. She is working toward her Early Childhood Certificate and plans to continue her education to earn an Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education.

She is a mother of three girls, ages 23, 19 and 8. Her husband, Steve, works for Exxon and his job brought them to Virginia a couple of years ago. It is said that you should do what you love. Working with preschool age children is Leslie’s life’s work. It’s her calling. She loves creating an environment where children learn about themselves and their peers and feel safe to learn about the world around them. Her goal is to instill an enthusiasm for learning to help your children to become life long learners.

Her classroom will be an environment that encourages literacy, inquisitiveness, individuality, respect for self and others. You are seen as your child’s first teacher and as an invaluable resource to Leslie. You will be encouraged to play an active role in your child’s learning, by helping your child find items at home that support our weekly theme and by participating in special classroom events. Leslie is always available to discuss your child’s development.

Ms. Mistie Londo
Mistie was born and raised in Massachusetts. She worked in Cape Cod, Mass. as an Interior Designer, and manager of a firm there. She has volunteered teaching Sunday school for many years, nurturing children age three to five. She has also been an in home nanny in past years. She has a love for working with young children, and for bringing out each individual child’s creative inner spirit. Mistie lives in Haymarket with her husband David, and three children, Glen, Mia, and Grant.Her number one priority is her children. She strives daily to teach them to become responsible, caring, and confident by nurturing their individual needs and passions. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time outside, staying active with her kids. Volunteering at her children’s school, gardening, reading, and exercise.

Ms. Lisa Payne
Lisa was born and raised in Manassas, Virginia. She graduated from C.D. Hylton High School in Woodbridge, Virginia in 2000. From the years 2000-2004, she attended Northern Virginia Community College part- time and worked in daycare. In 2004, she took a job transfer to Daytona Beach, Florida as a Health and Safety Coordinator and a tutorial Specialist for KinderCare Learning Centers. It was the start of a new chapter in her life. The hardest part was leaving the only place she ever knew, her friends and of course, her family.

However, in 2007, she moved back to Virginia to finish her associate’s degree in Social Science with a Specialization in Teacher Education from Northern VA Community College. In 2008, she earned her associates degree and continued her education at George Mason University. In 2010, she obtained her bachelor’s degree in History with a minor in Elementary Education. She has also worked in the Prince William County School System conducting student observations and student teaching.

When Lisa isn’t preparing lesson plans or working on different activities for her students, she enjoys relaxing with her one year- old nephew, Oliver, and her fiancé, Sean. She adopted a homeless dog wandering in her neighborhood in July of 2010. His name is Hobo and she loves playing with him in her spare time. Her hobbies include: scrapbooking, photography, reading educational books (especially History), and traveling.

Her personal goal is to install a love of learning that once was installed in her. She embraces teaching as a chance to inspire and empower.

Ms. Cat Hart
Catherine Hart (Ms. Cat) was born in Boise, Idaho. Her dad was in the Air Force and her family moved most of her younger years. In 1995 her family including her dad, mom and younger brother settled in Woodbridge, Virginia. She graduated from Gar-Field High School in 2004 then went on to NOVA community college. From there she entered into George Mason graduating in 2009 with a degree in Experiential Learning in Education. She will enter her Master’s program within the next year.

Catherine has always worked with children teaching Sunday school, Vacation Bible School, various camps and dance since Middle school. She taught dance for 9 years and has certifications from the Dance Educators of America. Her experience with teaching dance has not only made her love of teaching evolve, but knows that with patience learning can be an amazing adventure.

She resides in Dumfries with her husband Jerrel and dogs Nibbles and Trixie. With the support of her husband and family Catherine has made education the most valued part of her life. She knows that every child can learn and wants each of them to strive to do their best.  Learning should be fun and makes her classroom a great experience for her students and parents.

Ms. Keri Gleason
Keri Gleason was raised in northern Virginia, along with her two sisters. She graduated from Robinson High School and continued her education at NOVA. She then decided to venture west, where she attended Arizona State University and completed her Bachelor’s in ESL Elementary Education through their “Teaching for a Diverse Future” program. In 2012, she will begin her masters in School Counseling.

Keri has been working with children for quite a while. She started caring for babies and toddlers in the nursery at her church while she was in high school. In college, she volunteered to mentor and tutor elementary school students who were struggling with literacy and language. Upon graduating, she taught elementary school for five years. After her daughter was born, she decided to stay home and care for her children. She was also fortunate enough to take care of some of her friend’s children during her time at home. She feels blessed to have been touched by so many precious young lives and to continue to do so at Daytime Playtime! Her goal for the children in her life has always been to guide them to respect others and to nurture their love of learning!

Keri moved back to Virginia in 2011. She is married to Thomas and they have a daughter, Aidyn, son, Jaiden and old rescue lab mix puppy, named Homer. She enjoys reading, exercising, exploring new, fun places to visit and experience, in addition to simply playing with her family!

Ms. Renee Forero
She was born in born in Massachouta, Illinois into a military family.  Growing up in a military family resulted in traveling all over the United States and Europe.  She went to college in Lincoln, Nebraska at University of Nebraska.  Virginia was a favorite of all the states she lived in so she returned to Virginia in 1988. She worked in property management for twenty years where she met her husband Franco.  They now live in Haymarket. Renee decided not to return to work after having their daughter Juliana. Their family was again blessed eighteen months later with a son whom they named Joshua. Her children are the two greatest joys in her life and prompted her wanting to work with children.  Watching children learn and experience new adventures in life is a great thrill for Renee’.  On her weekends you might find her at Long Park beside her husband cheering either one of her kids on from the side lines of their soccer games or playing outside in her neighborhood.  Family time is her greatest joy followed by reading a good book on a rainy afternoon balled up on her couch.

POLICIES AND PROCEDURES: ( go back to the top )

2010 – 2011 Daytime Playtime Policies & Procedures

Enrollment
1. Yearly tuition for each program is collected in 10 equal payments. Payments are not prorated for length of month or number of classes held within a month. Once enrollment is confirmed, the first tuition payment is collected as a non-refundable tuition deposit and will be applied as your June 1, 2011 payment. The payment may not be used for any other month, if you choose to leave the program early. The remaining 9 payments are due on the 25th or before the 1st of each month September 1 – May 1, 2011. In the event that the 1st falls on a holiday, school closing or weekend, the tuition payment is due on the last school day prior to that holiday. A late fee of $35 will be assessed and added to tuition payments received after the 1st of the month. If payment is not received by the 7th of the month the child will be considered withdrawn from the program and may not attend classes until payment (along with the assessed late fee and a re-registration fee of $75) is paid in full. If there is a wait list for the class, your child may lose their spot in the program. Contact a director immediately if your account is delinquent to avoid losing placement.

2. A complete registration packet, including a current copy of your child’s vaccination record must be on file, and all required fees must be paid before your child can attend classes. All fees collected (including tuition payments) are non-refundable.

3. Orientation is held 9/8, 9/9 and 9/10. You will receive an orientation packet Classes begin on September 13, 2010 and end June 11, 2011. Daytime Playtime follows the Prince William County Public Schools’ calendar for school holidays / teacher workdays/ vacations and inclement weather closures. In the event that PWC schools have a delayed opening or an early dismissal, Daytime Playtime classes are cancelled for the day.

4. Daytime Playtime reserves the right to close the school in the unlikely event that circumstances arise that is out of our control (i.e. Power outage, severe weather, multiple teacher illness, etc.). Refunds are not issued for school closings.

5. Daytime Playtime admits any qualified student and does not discriminate regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national and / or ethnic origin.
Medical

6. Keeping everyone healthy is one of our major goals at Daytime Playtime. The school is cleaned thoroughly every day. If your child is showing signs of illness or you know they were recently exposed to a highly contagious disease, please do not bring your child to class and let us know immediately so that we may inform other parents if necessary. Please be aware that if your child is showing signs of illness we reserve the right to contact you for pick up.

7. Some of the illnesses may include but are not limited to the following (reported from the Committee on Infectious Diseases):
 Any illness that results in greater care than the staff can provide without compromising the health and safety of other children.
 The child has any of the following: fever (within the last 48 hours), lethargy, irritability, persistent crying, difficulty breathing, lesions, persistent cough, abundant green mucus, or other signs of severe illness
 Any illness that prevents the child from participating in class activities
 Diarrhea – must be free of diarrhea for at least 48 hours
 Vomiting two or more times in the previous 48 hours
 Mouth sores unless that cause is determined by a physician to be non-infectious
 Rash with fever or behavior change
 Pink Eye – has a yellow or green discharge
 Impetigo – until 48 hours after treatment has been started
 Strep Throat – until treatment has been started for at least 48 hours
 Head lice - until two days after treatment has begun
 Chicken pox – until the after the sixth day after the onset of the rash has crusted and dried
 Scabies – until treatment has been completed
 Hepatitis A Virus - until one week after the onset of the illness and jaundice has disappeared
 Tuberculosis, whooping cough, mumps, measles – until the physician determines the child can return

8. If your child contracts a contagious disease please notify a director immediately.

9. No medications will be given to a student without detailed written permission from a parent. Medicine must be given to the director so that it may be stored in the office. Please do not put any medication in your child’s backpack.

10. Staff will not be applying diaper cream or sun screen/lotion to the children while in care. Please apply at home before your child comes to school.

11. Teachers are able to administer an Epi pen if prescribed by your child's doctor. It must be provided by the parent and will be kept in the office labeled with the child's name.

12. Minor accidents will be treated at the school with standard first aid procedures. All of our staff members are CPR and First Aid certified. In the case of an accident requiring medical attention, the parent will be called immediately. In the event emergency services are required, the parent will be contacted after the ambulance personnel have been contacted.

13. Children enrolled at DTPT are covered by Group Accident Insurance during the hours that they are in attendance.
Dropping off / Picking up

14. Children must be dropped off at the appropriate drop off time (9:00am / 12:30pm). Teacher's will unlock the door and allow parents to enter the classroom 5 minutes prior to class time. The classroom doors are closed 10 minutes after the start of class. Please note that late arrivals and early pick-ups are very disruptive to the other children and daily lesson plan and should be avoided if at all possible. If you plan to pick up early or drop off late, it is best to notify a director before hand.

15. Children must be picked up at their pick up time (12:00pm / 3:30pm). It is the parent’s responsibility to ensure that their watch has the same time as Daytime Playtime. You will be assessed a late pick-up charge of $5 per every five minutes over the pick up time (there is a five minute grace period).

16. The child’s parent(s) or legal guardian must pick up and drop off their child unless other arrangements have been confirmed with Daytime Playtime staff. All custodial parents may visit their children at DTPT. In the event that you are having someone other than you pick up your child, you must notify the teacher and director if the individual is not listed on your Emergency Medical Information & Authorization Form as an approved person to pick up your child. When someone other than a parent picks up your child, please note they will be asked by the teacher to show a picture ID before the child will be released to them.

17. When dropping off and picking up, please respect that other classes may be going on at that time and do not let children yell or run in the hallways. Please also be aware that children may see or hear parents in the hallway after drop-off / before pick-up and we encourage you to take your conversations with other parents outside to avoid disrupting class.

18. Each child must bring a backpack or bag clearly labeled with their first and last name and contain the following items: at least one complete change of clothing (please make sure they are season appropriate), an extra pair of underwear / 2-3 pull-ups/diapers (if applicable), a light sweater or jacket, and art smock if you choose to bring one (we do have art t-shirts at the school for any child to use). Please label extra clothing with your child’s full name. Daytime Playtime is not responsible for any lost items.

19. Each class will have a set of hooks identified with the class name (Inchworms, Bees & Ladybugs) located inside the classroom. Please be sure to place your child’s bag on a hook (any hook in that area) as well as remember to bring it home with you as you leave.

20. Your child must be taken to use the bathroom and / or have a new diaper/pull-up before you drop your child off at the school.

21. You must provide a phone number where you can be reached in case of an emergency. After three attempts, your emergency contact person (provided by you) will be contacted. If any of your contact information changes please notify the director immediately.

22. Children will be actively playing on the floor and with equipment, and should be dressed appropriately in comfortable playwear. Please ensure your child is not wearing any easily removable jewelry or hair accessories to avoid a potential hazard.

23. In the event of inclement weather, Daytime Playtime will be closed when Prince William County Schools are closed. All classes WILL also be canceled if the PWC school system has a delayed opening and PM preschool MAY be canceled if there is an early closing, please call to check. In the event that class has to be canceled for any reason, a message will be left on the Daytime Playtime answering machine.
Snack / Potty Training

24. Please ensure that your child has been fed prior to coming to Daytime Playtime, a snack will be provided during class, but not a full meal.

25. If you are enrolled in Lunch and Learn you must pack and bring in your child's lunch (nut free). There is a lunch drop off box outside the director's office. All lunches will be put into the refrigerator located in the office by a director after the start of class.

26. Healthy snacks are provided each week by a different parent as outlined on the snack co-op calendar. Please refer to the Snack Co-Op Guidelines included in this packet for specific details. Please keep a bottle of water in your child’s back pack at all times, if bottle of water is not provided we will provide a DTPT logo bottle, the cost will be charged to your account.

27. Please leave your snack (when it is your turn) with you child's teacher when you drop off. If you forget you can either go to Bloom and pick-up a snack or bring in a non-perishable snack the next time you come to school. If dropping off snack after class begins or a “make-up” snack, please leave the snack with the director.

28. Parents may bring in a special snack (cupcakes, cookies, etc.) for their child’s birthday or other special occasions. Please coordinate with your child’s teacher so she may prepare accordingly and advise you of any food allergies.

29. We are a nut free facility and all snacks, lunches and treats brought in must not contain any peanut or other nut products.

30. If your child has a known allergy or develops a new allergy, please notify the school and the teacher immediately.

31. Children do not have to be fully potty trained to enroll in our program. The teachers will escort the children to the bathroom at various intervals during class. Please bring at least one clean, complete set (pull ups included if still wearing) of clothing with your child to school everyday in their backpack.
Communication

32. DTPT uses e-mail to relay school information (i.e. newsletters, field trips, school events, questions, etc.). It is important that we have a current e-mail address (that you check regularly) in order to get this information to you. There is also a bulletin board for each class located in the main hallway of the school. Here you will find information on your child’s class / teachers / field trips / etc. If you prefer not to receive e-mail, please notify us in writing and we will make copies of any information and put it in your child’s folder.

33. Director hours are listed on our website and on the door to the office. If you would like to come in before your child’s scheduled pick-up time to speak to a director, an appointment is not necessary. Please remember that during pick-up and drop-off teachers / assistants / directors are busy ensuring safe handling of the children and it may not be the best time to have a meeting about your child. You may also contact your teacher / director via e-mail.

34. If you would like to schedule a meeting with a teacher or director to discuss any concerns, questions, or other needs, please contact a director and we will be happy arrange a meeting with the necessary staff at a time that is convenient for you.

35. If you have questions or concerns, please contact Adriana Carvajal during the business hours of 9-3:30 or you can e-mail us at info@daytimeplaytime.com
Discipline / Behavior

36. Safety is our main concern, and if a child is misbehaving and/or disrupting class, Daytime Playtime teachers will explain what appropriate behavior is and redirect the child's attention. The teacher does reserve the right to separate any child that is persistently misbehaving, intentionally hurting or hitting other children, or is not listening from the other children. Please discuss proper school time behavior and conduct with your child if possible. Please also share any information with your child’s teacher that you feel may be helpful in dealing with your child if they have a tendency to be disruptive or act out. If a child is deliberately harming him or herself or other children and will not stop, you will be called and asked to pick up your child.

37. We realize some children may have a difficult time being apart from their caregiver/parent. Every attempt will be made to engage your child upon arrival and to ease any separation anxiety including calming and comforting a crying child, however in the event that your child is uncontrollably upset for over 30 minutes, and is unable to be consoled, you will be contacted for pick-up. You may request that you be contacted sooner than 30 minutes if you desire.

38. All cases of suspected child abuse and neglect must be reported to Child Protective Services. The Director will be notified of all situations warranting concern. By Virginia State Law, any legitimate suspicion must be reported.

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Daytime Playtime Enrichment Center

15026 Washington Street | Haymarket, VA 20169 | Phone: 703-754-8463 | Email: info@daytimeplaytime.com