Program Policies & Expectations

At Tiny Vines Nursery, clear policies support a safe, consistent, and respectful environment for all children and families. The following overview outlines key program expectations and procedures. These policies are designed to ensure smooth daily operations, protect the well-being of children in care, and maintain fairness for all enrolled families.

This page provides a summary of program policies. A complete Parent Handbook is provided upon enrollment and contains detailed procedures and additional requirements.

Enrollment & Tuition

Tiny Vines Nursery operates on an enrollment-based tuition model. Tuition secures your child’s reserved space in the program and is based on enrollment rather than attendance.

Because space is limited and staffed accordingly, tuition remains the same regardless of absences, illness, family vacations, holidays, or scheduled closures, except where otherwise outlined in our policies.

Tuition is billed monthly and paid in advance. Families receive an invoice prior to the upcoming month of care. Automatic payments through Brightwheel are required.

Enrollment is confirmed only after:

A completed enrollment packet
Signed policy acknowledgment
Payment of the enrollment fee
First month’s tuition paid in full

Care cannot begin until all required paperwork and payments have been received.

Tuition rates are reviewed periodically and may increase to reflect rising operational costs and program improvements. Families will always receive advance notice of any changes.

Drop-in, evening, and overnight care are offered separately from ongoing enrollment and must be scheduled and approved in advance.

Attendance & Scheduling

Children are expected to attend according to their enrolled schedule or approved drop-in reservation. Enrollment reserves a specific space within the program, and consistent attendance supports stability for the group.

To minimize disruptions and maintain the daily rhythm, families are asked to arrive no later than 9:30 a.m. unless prior arrangements have been made.

If a child has not arrived and no communication has been received, the program may proceed with planned outings or activities.

Children must be picked up no later than their scheduled departure time. Late pickup fees apply. Repeated late pick-ups or early arrivals outside of contracted hours may result in review of the family’s enrollment agreement.

Children will only be released to individuals listed as authorized for pick-up. Identification may be required.

All children must be signed in and signed out through Brightwheel each day. Brightwheel serves as the official record of attendance.

Drop-in scheduling is considered on an individual basis. Approval is dependent upon availability, group dynamics, and the daily schedule.

Health & Illness

Tuition is not adjusted for illness-related absences or required exclusion periods.

The health and well-being of all children in care is a top priority. A brief health check is conducted upon arrival each day. If a child appears unwell, unusually fatigued, or unable to comfortably participate in routine activities, the provider may determine that the child cannot remain in care.

If a child becomes ill while in care, parents will be notified and must arrange pick-up within one hour. Children will remain supervised and separated as much as reasonably possible until they are picked up.

The provider follows current health guidance and reserves the right to make final determinations regarding participation in care to ensure the safety of all children.

Children must remain home if they are experiencing symptoms of illness, including but not limited to:

Fever accompanied by behavior changes or additional symptoms
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Persistent or uncontrolled coughing
Thick eye discharge
Unusual lethargy or signs of significant discomfort

Children must be symptom-free for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing or symptom-masking medication before returning to care, unless otherwise specified by medical guidance.

Behavior & Guidance

Tiny Vines Nursery is committed to providing a respectful, developmentally appropriate environment that supports emotional growth and social learning.

We believe behavior is communication — particularly in infants and toddlers. Guidance focuses on teaching skills, supporting emotional regulation, and maintaining a safe environment for all children.

Positive guidance strategies include:

Redirection to appropriate activities
Modeling expected behavior
Clear, consistent boundaries
Emotional coaching and validation
Calm adult support and co-regulation
Developmentally appropriate natural consequences

Time-outs are not used as punishment. A supervised calm-down space may be used when a child needs help regulating strong emotions or when temporary separation is necessary for safety.

Corporal punishment of any kind is strictly prohibited.

If ongoing challenging behavior arises, families will be contacted to collaborate on supportive strategies. The safety of all children is essential, and the provider reserves the right to determine whether the program can safely and appropriately meet a child’s needs within a small group setting.

Meals & Feeding

Tiny Vines Nursery provides meals & snacks while children are in care.

Tiny Vines Nursery provides all meals and snacks during regular program hours.

For children attending during standard hours (8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.), the following are provided:

Morning snack
Lunch
Afternoon snack

Dinner is provided for children attending evening care who arrive before dinner service ends. Breakfast is provided for children staying overnight.

Meals are prepared in advance based on the number of children scheduled to attend each day.

Infant feeding follows a developmentally appropriate progression. Infants are served age-appropriate versions of the same foods offered to older children once solid foods have been safely introduced at home. Families of infants under one year of age complete required feeding documentation prior to solids being served in care.

Bottles and breastmilk must be clearly labeled. A bottle warmer is available; bottles are not microwaved.

Children are encouraged, but never forced, to try new foods. Alternative meals are not prepared for food preferences.

Outside food is not permitted unless required due to a documented medical condition or special diet. This policy supports food safety, consistency, and allergy awareness.

Families must disclose any known allergies or dietary restrictions prior to enrollment and update the provider of any changes.

Outside birthday treats are not permitted. If a celebration occurs in care, any special treats will be provided by Tiny Vines Nursery.

Sleep & Rest

Tiny Vines Nursery supports healthy sleep habits in a manner that is developmentally appropriate and compliant with California Community Care Licensing regulations.

Children are supervised at all times during sleep and rest periods.

Infants under 12 months are placed on their backs for sleep unless a physician’s written directive states otherwise. In accordance with safe sleep regulations:

Infants are not swaddled while in care
No loose items, blankets, pillows, or soft objects are permitted in cribs or play yards
Pacifiers are permitted, but may not be attached to clips or cords
Car seats are used for transportation only and are not used for sleep

Infants follow individualized sleep schedules based on their developmental needs.

Children 12 months and older participate in a daily rest period. All children are expected to rest quietly, even if they do not fall asleep. Children who remain awake are supported in engaging in calm, independent rest activities.

One small comfort item may be used during rest time for children sleeping on cots. Comfort items must remain in the designated sleep space and are put away after rest time. Comfort items are not permitted in cribs.

Sleep needs evolve as children grow. While reasonable flexibility is provided, the daily group schedule and overall program rhythm are maintained.

Safety & Supervision

Tiny Vines Nursery maintains a safe and developmentally appropriate environment in accordance with California Community Care Licensing regulations.

In line with licensing regulations, the provider maintains current certifications in Adult, Pediatric, and Infant CPR and Pediatric First Aid, as well as required health and safety training, including pediatric nutrition.

The facility is maintained according to health and safety standards, including safe storage of hazardous materials, secure medication storage, and ongoing sanitation practices.

Children are supervised at all times while in care. The provider remains the responsible supervising authority during operating hours.

Household pets are present in the home. The dog is kept separated from the child care space, and children are supervised during any incidental interaction with pets.

Water play may be offered periodically. A signed consent form is required prior to participation, and all water activities are closely supervised.

All required individuals in the home are subject to criminal record clearance in accordance with state regulations. Children are never left alone with anyone who has not received required clearance.

Parents and authorized individuals may enter during operating hours in accordance with licensing regulations. All other visitors must have a legitimate purpose and remain supervised while children are present.

Field Trips & Transportation

Tiny Vines Nursery may provide transportation for walking outings and occasional off-site field trips.

Routine walking outings are part of the program experience and may include neighborhood walks or visits to nearby parks. Children are supervised at all times and transported using developmentally appropriate safety equipment such as strollers, wagons, or walking ropes.

Participation in outings is considered part of the program. Families are responsible for ensuring timely arrival for scheduled departures. If a child arrives after the group has left, care may not be available until the group returns.

Extended field trips may require additional written consent and advance notice.

If a family chooses not to have their child participate in a planned extended outing, alternate care arrangements may be necessary for that day.

Drop-in care may not be available on days when extended field trips are scheduled.

Occasional vehicle transportation may be provided. When transportation occurs:

The driver is properly licensed
The vehicle is registered and insured
Children are secured in age- and size-appropriate car seats or restraints in accordance with California law
Children are never left unattended in a vehicle

Parents of enrolled children are responsible for providing an appropriate car seat when vehicle transportation is planned.

Drop-In & Overnight Care

Drop-in, evening, and overnight care are offered based on availability and are not guaranteed. These services are intended for occasional use and do not secure an ongoing enrollment space.

All drop-in, evening, and overnight care must be scheduled and approved in advance. Unscheduled or unannounced arrivals cannot be accepted. Approval is based on licensing capacity, group dynamics, scheduled activities, and provider discretion.

Tiny Vines Nursery reserves the right to approve or deny any drop-in request at any time.

All drop-in families must complete required enrollment documentation prior to care. This includes emergency contact information, medical and allergy forms, required consent forms, and acknowledgment of program policies. Care will not be provided until all documentation is completed and approved.

Drop-in and overnight families are subject to all policies outlined in the Parent Handbook, including illness, arrival and departure procedures, behavior expectations, and safety requirements.

Payment in full is required at the time of booking to reserve care. Once the scheduled care period begins, payments are non-refundable. Cancellations may be eligible for credit if notice is provided within the timeframe outlined in the full handbook.

If the provider must close unexpectedly and is unable to provide scheduled drop-in care, a credit will be issued for future use.

Facility License #283010807