Tuition Information/Policies

All balances must be paid by the start of the week. A late fee of $25 will be added to your child’s account if tuition is not paid on Mondays. During holiday breaks, tuition will be billed at 50% due to the ongoing operating costs of the center.

If payments are not made in a timely manner, we will ask you to have a conference with the director and/or your child may not return to school until the full payment has been made. Your child will not be able to attend school if you are more than a week behind in payments.

In order to maintain the quality of CCCC, tuition must be paid regardless of your child’s attendance to secure their spot. We do not have prorated tuition due to absences.

We follow Pinellas County School calendar with reference to holidays and some of the in-service days for teachers. You will find a calendar at the end of this handbook detailing when we have closures.

We require that the parents give us two weeks’ notice before withdrawing their

child. Failure to do so will result in your child’s tuition still being charged/remaining the same as their previous schedule for two weeks.

Weekly Tuition Prices

       •    VPK Wraparound: $165 per week

**We are proud to accept ELC/School Readiness Scholarship and StepUp-UA Funding**

Starting at the beginning of the school year, families are given are given 2 weeks’ vacation to use when they see fit. Please communicate to the Director at least two weeks in advance so we can pause the billing for those two weeks.  

These two weeks cannot be broken up in individual days, however the weeks used do not need to be consecutive. If you have any questions, please contact the Director.

 

 

 

 

VPK Policies and Procedures 2026-2027

Community Child Care Center offers the Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten (VPK) program. Our program begins August 11, 2026, Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 12:00 PM. In order for your child to receive the high-quality benefits of this program, it is vital that your child be here on time, every day for the full 3.5 hours.

Absences:

  If your child will be absent, you must let the school know. Please call or text

   (727)-437-2208.

  Each child is allowed by the state of Florida to be absent for

  20% of the program year. Your child may also not be absent for more than 20% per month. If your child is never absent through the year and needs to exceed absences in a particular month for vacations or such, they will be permitted to utilize the absences from the previous months that were not used. If your child exceeds the permitted absences, they will be withdrawn from the VPK program at our site. You may choose to continue your child's care with us by using our private pay program. This would require you to pay $225 per week, which allows your child to remain in the same class of the same teacher.

In the event that circumstances arise outside of the above listed attendance violation then termination from our VPK program or a wraparound care program is at the discretion of the Director.

 

Verifying Attendance:

Part of the VPK program is signing your child in and out every day, as well as verifying your child's attendance at the end of the month by signing the monthly form. We expect that you will verify your child's attendance no earlier than the last VPK day of the month and no later than 10 VPK days after at the end of the month.  

 

VPK Wraparound Rate:

$165 per week Full Wraparound Care (7:15am-5:30pm)

 

30-Day Probation Policy

All new enrollments at Community Child Care Center are subject to a 30-day probationary period. This period allows both the family and our staff to assess whether the center is a good fit for the child's needs and development.

During the 30-day probationary period:

•      Staff will observe the child's adjustment to the classroom environment, routines, and interactions with peers and teachers.

•      Parents will receive regular updates and may be asked to participate in conferences if concerns arise.

•      The center reserves the right to terminate enrollment during this. If the child's needs cannot be safely or adequately met, or if behaviors present the risk to the child or others.

•      Families may also choose to withdraw without penalty during the probation period, provided they give appropriate notice as outlined in the withdrawal policy.

* At the end of 30 days, a review will be conducted by staff, and the parents will be informed whether enrollment will continue. Our goal is always to support a positive and successful transition for every child. Enrollment Documents

The following signed documents are required to be in your child’s file, which is located in the Director’s office at all times:

•      Emergency Medical Release

•      Child’s Enrollment Record

•      Food Experience

•      Photo/Media Release

•      Student Illness policy

•      Discipline Policy

•      Expulsion Policy

•      Florida Certificate of Immunizations, Permanent Medical Exemption or Religious Exemption From Immunizations. (Not all children enrolled have completed immunizations).  

•      Student Health Examination (Physical)

•      Handbooks Acknowledgment  

 

The director will inform you when your child's immunization or physical are about to expire, but generally, if your child sees the doctor and you are supplied with a new form, we could use a copy of it too. Please return the expiring items prior to their expiration date, or your child will be unable to attend school until updated forms are provided. These documents are monitored by the Pinellas County licensing board and must not expire!

 

**A yearly supply fee of $100 will be added to every child’s account at the start of the new year*

Drop-off Procedures

Community Child Care Center’s teaching day begins promptly at 9:00 AM. Your child must be at school prior to 9:30 AM to begin their day. After 9:30 AM, your child will be considered absent for the day. Exceptions include appointments (doctors, dentist, therapy, ect.) with a note and no later than 10:30 AM.

Late fees will incur if your child is dropped off after 9:00 AM. $5 for every 5 minutes after 9:00 AM.

There are also case by case basis exceptions. Please contact the Director on the day of if any unusual circumstances come up.

Notification of Absence: please inform by phone call, e-mail, text, or via the Brightwheel app if your child is going to be absent for the day. If you know in advance that your child will be late, please notify the Director by 9:00 AM so that your child's late arrival can be communicated to their teacher.

*Summer drop-off must be no later than 9:30 AM before fees will incur.

Pick-up Procedures

Child needs to be logged in and out of the center via the kiosk at the front of the childcare center. Once your child has been logged out, they are no longer in the care of Community Child Care Center. Your child may have an accident/incident report from their day at school, which must also be signed upon your child being picked up.

Either parent slash legal guardian has the right to remove their child from the premises of CCCC. In order for one parent to restrict the right of the other parent, a court order must be obtained and a copy put on file at the school.

Late Pick-Up Procedures

The doors to the school close at 5:30 PM. Therefore, in order for the teachers to leave in a timely manner, please plan on picking up your child by 5:25 PM in order to collect their personal belongings and sign out.

A late charge of $1.00 per minute per child will be charged to the parent if your child is not picked up prior to 5:30 PM. Upon arrival, you will be given a slip that states how late you picked up, the amount of late fee accrued, and when your late fee is due in cash.

Cash payments are the only form of late fee payment, as it goes directly to the staff member that worked overtime to stay with your child. Your late fee is due the following day at drop off. While we do understand that emergencies happen, it is imperative that you pick up your child on time period

If you are going to be late, please contact us immediately. While this will not waive the late fee, we must have parent contact within 30 minutes of closure. If you have not contacted us and we have not been able to reach you or any of your authorized persons within 30 minutes closure, we will call emergency services to ensure you are safe.

If you find that you are going to be substantially late, it is your responsibility to contact someone from your emergency release form or another person to pick up your child and contact the school immediately. If the person picking up is not on your authorized pickup list, you will be asked to send us the name of the individual. Parents are required to inform the school of a new authorized pick-up person both verbally and in writing. Please inform the pickup person that they MUST bring a valid government issued photo identification with them.

Children in the care of Community Child Care Center staff will only be released to the parent legal guardian or alternate pickup individuals listed in the child's file or on their Brightwheel profile. We are required to have at least 2 emergency release contacts that live in the state of Florida. In the event that an alternate adult is picking up your child they will need a valid government issued photo identification with them.

 

 

 

Parent’s Right to Access

Per the Pinellas County License Board for Children's Centers and Family Day Care Home Licensing regulations, “a children's center/school childcare program must provide the custodial parent or legal guardian access, in person and by telephone, to the children's center during the children's center’s normal hours of operations or during the time the child is in care.”

If a court order (e.g., custody agreement, restraining order, or protection from abuse order) is in place, community childcare center requires a copy be on file with the director. The order of the court will be followed. In the absence of a court order on file with community childcare center, both parents have the right to access their child.

If multiple court orders are brought forth to the director, the court order with the most recent date of judgment will be followed.

Potentially Impaired Persons

The parent’s right to access does not permit Community Child Care Center from denying a parent access to their child if a parent is or appears to be impaired by either a controlled substance or alcohol. CCCC staff have been instructed to delay the potentially impaired parent as long as possible, while their director or the staff member in charge will contact the other parent, the local police and Child Protective Services to inform them of the situation.

Substance Use and Child Safety

The safety and well-being of all children is our highest priority. Parents, guardians, and authorized pick-up individuals must not be under the influence of alcohol, marijuana, illegal drugs, or any substance that may impair their ability to safely care for a child.

If a staff member observes behavior indicating impairment, detects a strong odor of marijuana or other substances on an individual, or has reasonable concerns that a person may be under the influence, the center reserves the right to refuse the release of a child until an alternative authorized adult can be contacted. Law enforcement may be contacted if necessary to ensure the child's safety.

In addition, as mandated reporters under Florida law, staff members are required to report any reasonable suspicion of child abuse, neglect, or situations that may place a child at risk. This may include concerns regarding a child repeatedly arriving at the center smelling strongly of marijuana or other substances, or evidence that a child is being exposed to illegal drug use or unsafe conditions.

The Community Child Care Center is committed to working with families while maintaining a safe and healthy environment for all children.

Discipline Policy

We work with children to establish positive guidelines that are developmentally appropriate for a child's age and mental comprehension. Any discipline a child may receive will always be in a firm, loving and respectful manner. We use the redirect method when a child is not making kind or appropriate choices. This means we will redirect the child to a different activity or talk them through the situation at hand using our verbal skills as a guide for them to learn how to handle conflict on their own.

If a child's behavior is causing harm to themselves, another child, or a staff member, the child may be asked to sit quietly in a safe space for a short time in order to calm him or herself down. At no time will the child be out of the view of a teacher. If the behavior continues to be disruptive, we will work with the parents so that we can come to a satisfactory conclusion in the best interest of the child. This may include contacting local resources for additional help. (e.g., R’Club services, ELC services, therapeutic services, etc.).

We cannot control the child's behavior; we may have to call you to come pick up your child. We do not aim to use this method and will take reasonable steps to avoid it, as children do catch on and can sometimes use their behavior as an excuse to go home early. As a last resort, your child may have to be removed from the program.

At no time will a staff member spank or use any other form of physical punishment as it is strictly prohibited, as is any form of discipline which is severe, humiliating, frightening or in any way associated with food, rest, or toileting.  

For more information, please see the Community Child Care Center Expulsion Policy form included in your enrollment paperwork that must be signed and returned to the Director.  

 

No Biting Policy

At Community Child Care Center, the safety and well-being of every child is our top priority. Biting is a common behavior among your children, especially those who are teething or still developing communication skills. However, it is not acceptable, and we take it seriously.

If a child bites: •  The child who was bitten will be comforted and cared for immediately.

•      The biter will be gently but firmly told that biting hurts and is not allowed.

•      Both sets of parents will be informed of the incident on the same day.

•      Repeated biting will lead to observation and behavior support strategies. In some cases, a behavior plan may be created in partnership with parents.

•      If skin is broken from a bite, the offending child will be sent home and suspended for the rest of the day.

•      In the case of ongoing biting that poses a risk to others, temporary removal from the group, suspension, or expulsion from our center may take place.

We work closely with families to understand and address the reasons behind biting, and to support children in learning safe and appropriate ways to express themselves.

 

 

Children's Clothing

•      Encourage your child to pick out their own clothes and dress themselves. Children at school are going to get paint and dirt on their clothes; If they stay too clean, they aren't being kids. Remember: P.L.A.Y -Purposeful Learning All Year! Keep the good clothes for picture day!

•      Girls are required to wear shorts underneath their dresses.

•     

Rompers or outfits that require your child to completely undress to use the restroom or have their diaper changed are not acceptable for school.  

•      Children should always wear sneakers or close-toed shoes. No dress shoes or high heels allowed. Velcro sneakers are great as most of the children in this age group are unable to tie their own shoes. If your child does not wear adequate shoes your child will have to sit on the sidelines during outside play to keep them safe.

•      Please DO NOT send your child in “crocs” or similar shoes as these do not stay on their feet.

Parents will be responsible for providing the following items in a large zip lock bag:

•      Shirt

•      Shorts/Pants (Seasonal)

•      Socks

•      Underwear

*Please bring a hoodie, sweater, or light jacket for your child to keep at the school as it sometimes gets chilly in the classrooms during the day.

Accidents CAN and DO happen to children of all ages, and these items will help us be prepared for them! If clothes are sent home to you soiled, please return a fresh set the following day.

Please be mindful of the weather/temperature. Do not forget that your child needs a jacket during the winter months to be able to play outside.

Please label all clothing, especially jackets. 

 

 

Toileting/Diapering  

Students have access to bathrooms within the classroom and while on the playground. They may freely use these restrooms throughout the day. Parents of students who utilize the bathrooms are responsible for keeping extra pairs of underwear and clothes on site in case an accident occurs.  

Illness

We strive to ensure our students and staff can learn and work in a safe and healthy environment. The following policies have been put in place to help us achieve that goal:

➢ Staff will be trained to recognize the common signs of communicable disease and other illnesses through first aid training. All staff will be trained in proper hand washing and disinfection procedures, as part of their initial training.

➢ A child with any of the following signs or symptoms of illness shall be immediately isolated and their parent/guardian will be notified to promptly pick up their child (within one hour of initial phone call or text):

•      Diarrhea (more than 3 abnormally loose stools in a

24-hour period)

•      Vomiting

•      Severe coughing causing the child to become red or blue in the face, or to make a whooping sound.

•      Severe sore throat making it painful for the child to swallow

•      Consistent green mucus from the nose

•      Difficult or rapid breathing

•      Yellowing skin or eyes

•      Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye), or yellow/green mucus draining from the eyes

•      Untreated infected skin patches: Scabies, Hand Foot

& Mouth, Impetigo

•      Lice

 

Readmittance After Illness

Your child will be re-admitted to class after he/she has been symptom free, nonmedicated for a 24-hour period. This means they must have been without fever for 24 hours without fever reducing medicine. If your child was sent home due to a communicable disease, (HFM, pink eye, impetigo, etc.) a note from their pediatrician must be present upon arrival at school that clarifies that they are no longer contagious.

Community Child Care Center does NOT administer over the counter medications. Prescriptions medications MAY be administered upon the discretion of the Director. If the Director agrees to administer your child's prescription  medication, a Medication Form must be filled out and kept on file. The prescription must be in the original, labeled container, be accompanied by a doctor's note, and have specific dosage and administration instruction paperwork with it. 

Medical Emergencies

In the event of a medical emergency, we will contact emergency medical services and then contact the parents. If it is not possible to reach the parents, we will contact one or both of the emergency numbers listed on the school form. It is required that each child have in their records a signed and notarized Emergency Release Form. Please be sure to keep us updated if the address or phone number changes.

Disaster Preparedness

In the event of a severe storm tornado we will shelter in place at the school, away from the windows. We will have the use of cell phones in the event of an emergency and will contact the parents as soon as possible, if we must evacuate the building. If you need any further information regarding this policy, please do not hesitate to speak with the director.

Community Child Care Center follows the guidelines of Pinellas County School Board (PCSB) in regard to the closures for inclement weather. If PCSB closes their facilities, we will be closed as well.

Remember, if a storm develops during the day, it might be safer for your child to remain at school rather than you trying to go into the storm to pick your child up. We will contact you if there is a need for an early dismissal.

Community Child Care Center conducts monthly fire, inclement weather, emergency, and evacuation drills in compliance with Pinellas County Licensing Board Rules and Regulations. During a fire/emergency situation, parents may not sign their child into or out of the care of our staff. Parents must wait until the drill is complete and children have returned to the building to sign their child in or out.

Videorecording and Pictures

Because of privacy concerns, parents are unable to record videos or take pictures inside the classrooms. If we are at school events, pictures/videos taken that have other children in them may not be posted to your personal social media, as we do have students who are unable to have their image shared.

Curriculum

While some daycare centers operate as more of a “day nursery” for children, we are a preschool that has a set curriculum from Frog Street. that every classroom uses. Our teacher’s lesson plans and schedules start at 9:00 AM every day. Christian teachings and values are taught to even our youngest children. It is never too early to begin sharing the teaching of Jesus Christ. Prayers throughout the day, time for singing and praise, and Bible stories are all appropriate methods of the beginnings of a Christian education.

VPK Classroom: 

This class is designed for children who have reached the age of four prior to September 1st. We offer a VPK class for your child in order to prepare your child for kindergarten next fall. We are still very much learning through play, but the children are becoming more and more independent. We are working with larger numbers and learning letter sounds. We are practicing writing by using the art area and increasing our language skills. Being able to put on your own jacket is just as important as learning your ABC's, as is being friends with each other and listening to the teacher.

Birthday Parties

If you are going to invite the entire class to a birthday party, you may hand out invitations in the classroom. However, if you are only going to invite a select few, please mail the invitations. The same policy goes for thank you notes.

You are welcome to share a special snack (purchased from the store) on your child's birthday. You may, but it is not necessary, supply special plates, napkins, and cups. However, NO balloons or party favors. Please save those for your party at home. Snacks you choose to send in for your child's birthday celebration must be store bought with the food ingredient labels intact. No homemade snacks will be served. We suggest mini-cupcakes or cookies, as these are the easiest for little hands.

 

School Parties

•      Harvest Party-Children may dress in whatever costume they would like (No ghosts, witches, vampires, or anything of a dark nature, please.)

•      Christmas- We plan a day of celebration for the children where we have a special movie, games, and crafts to celebrate Jesus’ Birthday.

•      Valentines Day- We have classroom Valentines-themed parties and exchange Valentine’s cards.

•      Easter- We have an East egg hunt along with crafts and some goodies while we tell the story of Jesus’ resurrection and why we celebrate Easter.

Volunteers

Parents, legal guardians, and other family members are invited to join us in the classroom to volunteer. We love guest readers, craft helpers, lunch helpers, and even just someone to come and play on the floor with our students. If you are unable to volunteer in the classroom but would like to help your child's teacher, please let them know. Teachers frequently have projects that could be sent home to be cut out, glued, etc. All volunteers that are working any amount of time with minors must undergo background screening, including the criminal background check.  

Volunteers working over 10 hours per month in a classroom are required by law to have a level 2 background screening completed and on file with the preschool. Volunteers will never be left alone with children and must sign a volunteer affidavit of good moral character prior to their first day of volunteering.

Snacks and Lunches

We ask that you pack your child a morning and afternoon snack, along with a well-balanced and nutritious lunch. Community Child Care Center does not heat up lunches due to our limited Food Service Permit from the Florida Department of Health. If your child would like a warm lunch, we suggest preparing their meal in the morning (chicken nuggets in the microwave, spaghetti-o’s, etc.) and placing them in a thermos. When packing your child's lunch, ask them what they want to eat, as children often get bored if they are given the same thing every day.

We encourage the children to eat, but we cannot force them to eat. We also encourage the children to eat “the good stuff” before the ‘fun stuff”. It would help us greatly if there was a limit on the “fun stuff” in their lunches. Community Child Care Center staff is unable to cut food items. Please send items in pre-cut for your child.

Please send your child with a reusable water bottle.  

Personal Belongings

Water Bottles:

We encourage the children to drink water throughout the day. Parents are required to provide a daily water container for their child (not disposable). Your child's first and last name must be written on the container. If a child does not have a water bottle for the day, we will provide one and add a fee of $1.00 per day.

Toys:

Teachers will advise parents when there are days child may bring in an item to share; However, for safety reasons children are not allowed to bring toys from home on a day-to-day basis.

Jewelry and Makeup:

  Please do not allow your child to wear any jewelry, whether plastic or real. We

   are not responsible for lost jewelry

 . Rings, bracelets, and necklaces can pose

  a choking hazard. We will remove jewelry from children when they come to school. The exception is stud earrings; We will allow these earrings but will not be responsible if they are lost. Children are not permitted to bring in lip gloss, ChapStick, or any other makeup. If they do, it will be confiscated.

Naptime:

If your child is staying for a nap, you may supply your child with a (SMALL) pillow and blanket. The pillow must fit into the child's take home bag. We will provide each child with a cot and cot sheet. Your child may also bring a small soft stuffed animal to help with rest time. Your child does not have to sleep but does need to rest. Do not send in dolls that are made out of hard plastic or items that make sounds. Your child's blanket and animal will remain at school during the week and will be sent home on Fridays to be cleaned.

 

 

Parent Rules of Conduct

Smoking: Community Child Care Center And its entire campus are a smoke free zone, as required by the Pinellas County Licensing Board for Children's Centers and Family Daycare Homes Licensing Regulations. This includes cigarettes, cigars, and vaping.  

Cell Phones: Community Child Care Center Is a no phone zone. When dropping off or picking up your child, you may not be using your cell phone. Please finish your cell phone calls before you come to the door to drop off or pick up. Your child may be feeling anxious about leaving you for the day or is excited to see you after being away from you, and they deserve your complete attention.

Separation Anxiety/Saying Goodbye: We know it is difficult for both you and your child to say, “See you later!” For the day. A quick kiss, a hug, and the assurance that you will be back helps for the smoothest transition. Prolonging your delay may make it more difficult for your child to leave your care and enter ours. We are happy to give them all of the hugs they need and dry any tears they may have. Remember: “Quick Like a Band-Aid!” meaning-- give your child the love they need and pull the Band-Aid off quickly to keep them from being sad any longer than they have to be.

Speeding: Please slow down as you are entering and exiting the parking lot. While the children who are in our care are not out of our secured building and playground, parents/guardians/authorized individuals are entering and leaving during the same time as you. We want to ensure safety for the children in and out of our care. You can help us do that by going slow in our parking lot and being aware of your surroundings.  

Yelling/Threatening: Yelling or threatening any staff member, child, or other parent/legal guardian/authorized individual of Community Child Care Center is strictly prohibited. Any threat made against any of the above-mentioned parties will be reported to the appropriate authorities and will result in immediate termination of the child's enrollment.

Profanity: Parents and adults on Community Child Care Center’s campus may not use inappropriate language. Any use of inappropriate language towards staff, children, or other parents/legal guardians/authorized individuals will be documented and could cause your access to our property to be revoked.

 

Parent Support/Conflict Resolution

The staff desires a harmonious relationship with parents. If parents have a question about a policy or an event that involves their child, they should notify their child's teacher or the Director, where appropriate. An effort will be made to resolve any differences and maintain quality communication between parents and staff.  

Parental support is an essential part of the educational process. If, in the sole discretion of the administration, a parent is disruptive to the academic, athletic, or spiritual involvement of the school or has failed to support the ministry staff for its policies and procedures, including the code of conduct, the administration reserves the right to deny the student continued enrollment.

As a condition of enrollment, parents are prohibited from making demands, threatening to sue, or actually litigating any matter whatsoever relating to or resulting from the student's enrollment period making demands, threatening to sue, or litigating a matter against the school violates biblical teaching and practice and will constitute sufficient grounds for immediate suspension or expulsion of the student’s enrollment. Parents and students are required to resolve all potential claims, disputes, or cause of action through binding Christian arbitration conducted by the National Center for Life and Liberty or another Christian arbitrator. Except as herein provided, binding arbitration shall be the sole remedy for any and all controversies or claims arising out of the student’s enrollment period upon enrollment, parents waive any rights to file a lawsuit against the school or its agents in any civil court for such disputes, except to enforce a legally binding arbitration decision. This arbitration requirement does not apply to efforts to collect past due tuition and fees, which the school may pursue through a collection agency or otherwise. Parents are responsible for all fees and costs associated with such collection.  

We genuinely care for you child and family. If ever you have a greater need that could require counseling please let us know and we can contact church staff that is trained to help and counsel appropriately. If you would like to contact the church office directly please call (727)323-4907.