Q.  What type of childcare home is Hilton Daycare?

A.  Hilton Daycare is a Class B childcare home, as defined by the state of Ohio.  This allows me to care for up to six children at a given time on the premises. 

 

Q.  Does Hilton Daycare accept ODJFS payments?

A.  YES

 

Q.  What makes you different than a babysitter?

A.  Family childcare is different than having a babysitter or a nanny come to your home.  A nanny costs much more, and you would have to pay his/her taxes.  A babysitter is someone who comes to your home, as needed to help with your children.  Many time a babysitter is a teen and likely doesn't make enough to need to pay taxes.  A babysitter often charges more than I do, and there is usually no contract involved.  The babysitter, like a Nanny works "for you" in most cases.  Family childcare is group care in the providers home in a group setting.  We learn together, play together, eat together and become a second family to each other.  I am self employed, and pay my own employment taxes, social security, and medicare.  The fact that I am self employed, and the fact that home childcare is group care, I don't work "for a family".  I work for myself (which makes me self employed), so you pay none of my taxes, and my policies are set to care for a group of children, rather than just one family.

 

Q.  How do you keep rates so low?

A.  My mother was born during the great depression.  It was a time when people had to be frugal and creative with their money.  As the recovery began to happen, we found ourselves in war.  During the war, rationing of food and other items became very strict to support the war effort.  My mother taught me the things she learned during these times, as frugality had become a way of life for her and her family.  Many of the things she taught me I still practice today.  These things have helped my family through some hard times just as they did my mother and grandmother.  The savings from doing things such as making my own laundry soap, making my own Clorox wipes, cooking from scratch, hanging the laundry to dry and other such things is passed on to you in the form of lower rates. 

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Q.  Why is my rate different from that of another family?

A.  Every family has different circumstances.  Some families need full time care, some need part time care and others may need drop in care.  Each family is given a rate based on the care they need.  This way, you are paying only for your reserved days and hours.  Some days and hours are considered special and do cost a little more than others, however I think you will find the tuition at Hilton Daycare is lower than most who offer those hours. 

 

Q.  Do you offer sibling discounts?

A.  No.  I have a fixed number of slots available for children, and each child fills one slot.  I keep my rates low as a matter of practice, and it doesn’t leave me room for additional discounts.  There are ways of lowering your rates, such as reserving only the time you need.

 

Q.  Do you offer any other discounts?

A.  NO.  I keep my rates as low as possible so I am unable to give any discounts.

 

Q.  How many children are enrolled in the daycare?

A.  The numbers vary depending on current enrollment, schedules, and other factors.  There will never be more than six children in care at any given time, and many times less than that.  I keep my numbers low, in an effort to provide more hands on care with each child.

 

Q.  What will my child eat at daycare?

A.  I provide all meals and snacks at daycare.  I try to provide healthy, balanced meals and snacks.  Many items such as breads are made from scratch.  I try to keep processed foods to a minimum.  During the summer, we enjoy many fresh, local fruits and vegetables.  Many of them we will grow in the home garden in a garden to table experience.  Children will be invited to help prepare some meals and snacks in age appropriate ways.

 

Q.  What does a day at Hilton Daycare look like?

A.  No two days are ever exactly the same.  We do have a schedule, but it is loose because much of what we do is child led.  I do offer preschool lessons, but that doesn’t mean we will sit down and do papers every day.  Children learn in many ways and learn the most through play.  Circle time is often a favorite of the children and includes many learning activities.

 

Q.  If I interview am I guaranteed a spot at Hilton Daycare?

A.  HIlton Daycare does not offer or guarantee spots until after the initial interview.  After your first interview, the provider will let you know if there is a spot available for your child(ren) within 24 hours.  If a spot is offered, it will be held for 48 hours while you decide if you would like the spot.  Any spots not accepted and enrollment fee paid after 48 hours may be offered to another family.

 

Q.  How do you choose who gets a spot? 

A.  Many factors go into offering a spot.  I will ask many questions including but not limited to.... is there a slot available?  Are there siblings in care?  Can I properly meet the needs of the child?  Can I properly meet the needs of all the other children and take on the child seeking enrollment?  Does the schedule fit provider's schedule?  Is tuition affordable to the family?

 

Q.  Does my child have to take a nap?

A.  Children require more rest than adults.  All children under five years of age will have a rest time each day, typically from 12:30 PM – 2:30 PM.  This is in line with what is considered best practice for child care.  Children will not be forced to sleep, but will be asked to lay on their cot (or in their pack and play) for a required 30 minute rest time.  Children who do not sleep may then have quiet activities to do (such as puzzles, read books, or nap bag activities) after their 30 minute rest.  No child will be kept awake or awakened if they fall asleep.  Children over five will also be given quiet activities during rest time, and may nap if they choose to, they will be required to do their quiet time activities quietly and independently.  The provider will use this time for required paperwork, light cleaning, food prep, etc. 

 

Q.  How do you discipline the children?

A.  I use redirection as much as possible along with reminders and warnings.  I do use time out, but try to use it sparingly.  Sometimes, toys or other items that are causing a problem with the children arrive in time out.  At times there will be other things used such as behavior charts and tickets.  If there is an ongoing behavior issue, I ask the parents to work with me to find a solution.    Children will always be treated with respect and dignity.  I never hit, spank, shame, or embarrass the children. I also never withhold food or refuse to let a child sleep, basic needs are ALWAYS met.

 

Q.  Do you provide before and after school care?

A.  As a general rule no.  But the school is an short two block walk for the children. Provider does not transport to preschool.  Before and after school children will be allowed to come to daycare on snow days and other "school out days" on a SPACE AVAILABLE basis, please do not assume your child will have a slot on these days unless you choose to pay for a full time slot (an option available for all part-timers).

 

Q.  Does Hilton Daycare provide night and weekend care?

A.  Yes!  I do provide night and weekend care, but for fewer children than day shift care.   The availbitly for this also varies with current schedules of enrolled families.  There may be weekends that I can’t or don’t provide weekend care and will try to schedule this for a time when it affects the least families.

 

Q.  Do you offer any special services?

A.  Yes!  I occasionally offer parents night out events, Black Friday shopping events, New Year's Eve events and other special event care.  There is a discount for these events for currently enrolled families.   Space is strictly limited on these events, due to special activities.

 

Q.  Do you offer any other services for families?

A.  YES!  I often find myself helping families with things such as finding a new doctor, finding and applying for assistance (such as utility assistance), locating food pantries, or whatever a family needs help finding.  I consider myself a support person for your child and will do what I can to help the family with other needs.  Many times that is simply me doing internet searches and possibly printing what I find.  These services are limited to what I have time and resources to do, but I try to help where I can.