What to Expect
What We’re Learning
FAQs
What should I send with my child?
Please send your child with the following items:
Back-up outfits
Formula / breastmilk if needed
Sleep necessities (sleep sack, pacifiers, comfort item, etc.)
Weather-appropriate attire - If the “feels like” temperature is between 15-90 degrees (F), we will try to get outside to play. Please send appropriate snow gear, swimsuits, rain boots, etc.
I supply diapers, whole milk, lunch, & snacks for the children. I provide appropriate sleep spaces for the children, and keep back-ups of all items to use as needed. You’re welcome to send specific items if you prefer I use your own.
What food do you provide?
I offer the kids a variety of food groups throughout the day. Below are a few examples of foods that I may offer:
AM Snack: yogurt, toast, smoothies, eggs, pancakes, oatmeal
Lunch: soup, sandwiches, pasta w/ chicken or meatballs, vegetables, bean or chicken quesadillas
PM Snack: fruit, cheese, crackers, granola bars
We will occasionally have treats to celebrate special days (birthdays, last day of nanny care, holidays, etc.). If you’d like me to limit sugar or other ingredients, please let me know!
How do you get to local activities?
I have a few strollers to get us places on foot, and also have a minivan and large collection of car seats to accommodate the kids.
For our community outings, we usually stay within 30 minutes of the city, but will occasionally travel further in the warmer months. I try to get us out of the house at least 2-3 times per week; most often we visit a playground or attend story time at the library, but occasionally we’ll plan something special. Click here to see my list of favorite play places! We also regularly meet for playdates with some of my friends who are nannies, teachers, and/or parents.
If I am providing daily pick-up and drop-off for your child, we will determine a 15-minute pick-up window and a 15-minute drop-off window.
Inclement Weather: Transportation will be cancelled if Allegheny County government offices are closed due to inclement weather. No discount or refund will be provided, and no PTO will be deducted, should parents decide not to transport their children for childcare.
What does a typical day look like?
I provide as much structure to our days as possible, but we all learn to be adaptable to meet everyone’s needs. A typical day tends to look like this:
8:30am - arrival & AM snack
9:00am - craft / fine motor activity
9:30am - community outing or free play
11:30am - lunch
12:00pm - quiet time / school prep
2:30pm - PM snack
3:00pm - walk / gross motor activity
4:00pm - circle time / stories
4:30pm - depart for home
If your child is taking more than one nap, I’ll work with you individually to discuss a tentative daily schedule. I joke that I have a Ph.D. in rolling with the punches; I promise we can make any schedule work!
What is your sick policy?
All children are required to remain up-to-date on vaccinations as recommended by the CDC.
In the interest of everyone’s health & safety, children are not permitted to attend childcare if ANY of the following apply:
a confirmed or suspected case of any highly contagious illness (i.e. chicken pox, COVID-19, flu, pink eye, hand foot and mouth, etc.)
to return to childcare, children will need at least two negative rapid tests (when applicable) AND none of the symptoms below
a fever of 100.4 degrees or higher within the previous 24 hours
to return to childcare, children will need to maintain a temperature of under 100.4 degrees for at least eight hours after the last dose of fever-reducing medications
two or more episodes of vomiting OR diarrhea within the previous 24 hours
Hospital Admission within the previous 24 hours
unable to participate in normal childcare activities & routines due to fatigue or need for monitoring
if your child has a rash, please communicate with Jenni ASAP to determine if they are able to attend childcare (send photos if possible)
If I call to notify you that your child needs to be sent home, please make every effort to pick up your child within two hours. They will be excluded from childcare for a minimum of 24 hours, or until they no longer exhibit any of the above symptoms. Please give me at least two hours notice when you feel your child is well enough to return to childcare.
Jenni will follow the same sick policy as the children and will use PTO if necessary to prevent the spread of illness.
How do you communicate with families?
For Play School families, I use the Daily Connect app to track our day, monitor your child’s development, share photos, and more! For back-up or Date Night care, I’ll send photos & updates via text.
How do we determine our Play School hours?
I am available to provide care Monday - Friday from 7:30am - 5:00pm. You will only pay for hours that I am reserving for your child. Overtime hours do not apply to Play School. The childcare hours that we agree on will be guaranteed for the duration of our Play School Agreement, with the exception of my personal time off. Your family will pay the cost of the Guaranteed Hours every week via recurring invoice to reserve your child’s space, even if your child does not require care for all of the listed hours. Additional hours will be billed separately.
For example, if you request full-time childcare Monday - Friday from 8am - 4pm, your recurring payment will be $720 per week.
When is Play School closed?
Jenni will not be available to provide childcare, but will receive pay for her Guaranteed Hours on the following holidays, if they fall on a day that childcare would have been provided:
Labor Day Weekend (Friday & Monday)
Thanksgiving Break (Thursday & Friday)
Christmas Eve through New Year’s Day
Memorial Day Weekend (Friday & Monday)
4th of July
Jenni will not be available to provide childcare, but will receive pay for up to 5 additional personal days (taken in full- or half-day increments). Jenni will provide as much notice as possible when personal time is needed.