FAQ: FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What exactly is an “hourly, drop in” child care center?
Our hourly, drop in child care centers are daycares that are fully licensed by the State of New Jersey. However, the main difference with us is that we don’t required you to sign a contract or commit to a certain number of days or weeks in order to use our Center. After you register your child, you can use the Center at your convenience.
Our hourly, drop in child care centers are daycares that are fully licensed by the State of New Jersey. However, the main difference with us is that we don’t required you to sign a contract or commit to a certain number of days or weeks in order to use our Center. After you register your child, you can use the Center at your convenience.
What type of activities will my child be engaged in while at your Maple Shade center?
There are plenty of things for your child to do at our Center. We offer a language rich environment which includes a blend of staff led activities and independent play so that your child has a chance to socialize with other children and make new friends. We offer a flexible schedule that includes Story Hour, Arts and Crafts and Music and Movement activities through out the day. Children can engage in dramatic play in our kitchen area or on the Dress Up Stage which is stocked with costumes for girls and boys. Our centers also features toys such as train tables, air hockey tables, lego and duplo tables, and building blocks to encourage group play. We also have a separate gated area for crawlers and beginning walkers. So, we offer basically babysitting, but a whole lot more!
There are plenty of things for your child to do at our Center. We offer a language rich environment which includes a blend of staff led activities and independent play so that your child has a chance to socialize with other children and make new friends. We offer a flexible schedule that includes Story Hour, Arts and Crafts and Music and Movement activities through out the day. Children can engage in dramatic play in our kitchen area or on the Dress Up Stage which is stocked with costumes for girls and boys. Our centers also features toys such as train tables, air hockey tables, lego and duplo tables, and building blocks to encourage group play. We also have a separate gated area for crawlers and beginning walkers. So, we offer basically babysitting, but a whole lot more!
What are the ages of the children that you serve?
Our Centers serve children between the ages of 1 to 12 years.
Our Centers serve children between the ages of 1 to 12 years.
What do I need to send my child with when they come to the Center?
For a baby we need to have a daily supply of diapers, one change of clothes (just in case), written instructions for feeding and napping, as well as any other special instructions you want to provide. We also need enough formula/bottles and/or baby food to last for the duration of your child’s stay.
For a child under three, we would like to have a sippy cup with the child’s name written on it and a sufficient supply of diapers or pull ups. You may also want to include a change of clothes ( just in case). If your child is toilet training, let us know so that we can encourage them in that process.
For a baby we need to have a daily supply of diapers, one change of clothes (just in case), written instructions for feeding and napping, as well as any other special instructions you want to provide. We also need enough formula/bottles and/or baby food to last for the duration of your child’s stay.
For a child under three, we would like to have a sippy cup with the child’s name written on it and a sufficient supply of diapers or pull ups. You may also want to include a change of clothes ( just in case). If your child is toilet training, let us know so that we can encourage them in that process.
What is your registration process?
Our Registration Packet is available at our center or we e-mail it to you. Simply fill out the registration information and provide a copy of your child’s health and immunization records (these health records must be updated each year). We charge a one time registration fee of $35 to process your family’s application. You may print the forms after we send them to your e-mail address and bring them in already completed or you can come in and fill them out.
We encourage parents to bring their children in for a tour of our facility and to meet our staff before their first visit. Some children may immediately feel comfortable and walk right in and start playing on their first visit. Others may need some time to “warm up” and adjust to being away from their parents. If you think your child may need more time adjusting, we suggest you spend 10-15 minutes in the center with your child before leaving. Please share any special instructions or concerns regarding your child with our staff. We will work to make sure your child feels comfortable and secure so that he or she has a positive experience at our Center….after all, we want your child to want to come back and play again!
Our Registration Packet is available at our center or we e-mail it to you. Simply fill out the registration information and provide a copy of your child’s health and immunization records (these health records must be updated each year). We charge a one time registration fee of $35 to process your family’s application. You may print the forms after we send them to your e-mail address and bring them in already completed or you can come in and fill them out.
We encourage parents to bring their children in for a tour of our facility and to meet our staff before their first visit. Some children may immediately feel comfortable and walk right in and start playing on their first visit. Others may need some time to “warm up” and adjust to being away from their parents. If you think your child may need more time adjusting, we suggest you spend 10-15 minutes in the center with your child before leaving. Please share any special instructions or concerns regarding your child with our staff. We will work to make sure your child feels comfortable and secure so that he or she has a positive experience at our Center….after all, we want your child to want to come back and play again!
Who are your babysitters?
Our babysitters come from a variety of childcare backgrounds. Some of us have been teachers, some have worked in a variety of daycare settings and some have also been nannies. Many of us have children of our own, some of us have retired temporarily from the workforce to raise our own children. Some are pursuing advanced degrees. Regardless of our individual backgrounds, all of us have one thing in common…we love working with children. Everyone who works at a Basically Babysitting Center has been trained in CPR and has passed a national criminal background check.
Our babysitters come from a variety of childcare backgrounds. Some of us have been teachers, some have worked in a variety of daycare settings and some have also been nannies. Many of us have children of our own, some of us have retired temporarily from the workforce to raise our own children. Some are pursuing advanced degrees. Regardless of our individual backgrounds, all of us have one thing in common…we love working with children. Everyone who works at a Basically Babysitting Center has been trained in CPR and has passed a national criminal background check.
Is there a minimum number of days or weeks that I have to commit to using the Center?
Not at all. We are an hourly drop in child care center and we do not require contracts or commitments for a minimum number of weeks. After you have completed the registration process, you can make a reservation whenever you want. While we can accommodate a certain number of walk in clients, we strongly encourage you to make reservations by 7:30 am of the day on which you need childcare in order to insure proper staffing levels. You can make your reservation by phone or through our online reservation system.
Not at all. We are an hourly drop in child care center and we do not require contracts or commitments for a minimum number of weeks. After you have completed the registration process, you can make a reservation whenever you want. While we can accommodate a certain number of walk in clients, we strongly encourage you to make reservations by 7:30 am of the day on which you need childcare in order to insure proper staffing levels. You can make your reservation by phone or through our online reservation system.
If I make a reservation and I’m late, do I lose my spot?
No. We understand that it can be difficult to get out the door on time with small children. If you’ve made a reservation, we’ll hold your spot. We do ask that in the event that you can’t make it, you call or email us to cancel if at all possible.
No. We understand that it can be difficult to get out the door on time with small children. If you’ve made a reservation, we’ll hold your spot. We do ask that in the event that you can’t make it, you call or email us to cancel if at all possible.
What happens if I’m going to be late in picking up my child?
No problem. Just call us and let us know that your plans have changed and tell us what the new pick up time will be.
No problem. Just call us and let us know that your plans have changed and tell us what the new pick up time will be.
Do I have to pay an annual registration fee to keep my account active?
No. The registration fee is a one time only fee. We do not charge annual registration fees in order to keep your account active.
No. The registration fee is a one time only fee. We do not charge annual registration fees in order to keep your account active.
Are meals available?
Yes. Menu choices typically include: cheese pizza, hot dogs, chicken nuggets and macaroni and cheese. Meals for children six and under at the Maple Shade location are FREE. Meals for children over six are $5.
Yes. Menu choices typically include: cheese pizza, hot dogs, chicken nuggets and macaroni and cheese. Meals for children six and under at the Maple Shade location are FREE. Meals for children over six are $5.
Can I send my child with a meal from home?
Absolutely, but please do not send in food items that contain peanut products.
Absolutely, but please do not send in food items that contain peanut products.
What about snacks?
Unlimited snacks (like pretzels, crackers, applesauce) and drinks (water, lemonade, and milk) are included in the hourly rate. We have Snack Time at approximately 10:00 am, 3:00 pm and 7:00 pm. If your child arrives just after snack time and is hungry, please let us know and we will make sure they are fed.
Unlimited snacks (like pretzels, crackers, applesauce) and drinks (water, lemonade, and milk) are included in the hourly rate. We have Snack Time at approximately 10:00 am, 3:00 pm and 7:00 pm. If your child arrives just after snack time and is hungry, please let us know and we will make sure they are fed.
Do you have a daily schedule of activities?
Yes. We have a weekly theme and a very flexible schedule of activities that alternate between structured, staff led activities and independent play. In the morning there’s plenty of time for free play. Around 9:30 we have Circle/Story Time, Snack Time, Arts and Crafts Time and then Lunch. After lunch children can rest or engage in free play. In the afternoon our schedule repeats until 5:00 when we serve Dinner.
Yes. We have a weekly theme and a very flexible schedule of activities that alternate between structured, staff led activities and independent play. In the morning there’s plenty of time for free play. Around 9:30 we have Circle/Story Time, Snack Time, Arts and Crafts Time and then Lunch. After lunch children can rest or engage in free play. In the afternoon our schedule repeats until 5:00 when we serve Dinner.
My child has never really been away from us and and I’m anxious about leaving him/her.
That’s fine. We know how to help make your child feel comfortable and secure when they’re away from you. Remember, most of us have children of our own and we’ve been in that same situation. While your child is staying with us, we’ll help your child feel comfortable so that he or she can relax and enjoy all that our Center has to offer. Whether it’s a hug, another story or a little bit of help to make some new friends, our goal is to make sure that your child has a great time and wants to come back and play again.
That’s fine. We know how to help make your child feel comfortable and secure when they’re away from you. Remember, most of us have children of our own and we’ve been in that same situation. While your child is staying with us, we’ll help your child feel comfortable so that he or she can relax and enjoy all that our Center has to offer. Whether it’s a hug, another story or a little bit of help to make some new friends, our goal is to make sure that your child has a great time and wants to come back and play again.
Who can pick my child up from the Center?
Only you and the people you designate on your registration forms are authorized to pick your children up. We enforce this policy strictly and we do ask for identification.
Only you and the people you designate on your registration forms are authorized to pick your children up. We enforce this policy strictly and we do ask for identification.