What is the admission process?

A parent-child visit is required before enrollment.  South Main Children’s Center, INC accepts children with no discrimination based upon sex, race, creed, disability, origin, or socio-economic circumstance.  No child with a disability shall, based on disability, be denied enrollment, excluded, or removed from care or activities.  We reserve the right to make the final determination as to whether the program can best meet the needs of your child and family. A one-time non-refundable enrollment fee of $25.00 shall be included with your initial first week’s payment. 

What forms are required for enrollment?

The following forms are to be completed BEFORE the first day of attendance.  The forms MUST be updated annually or as needed should the information change:



• Enrollment Application
• Immunization Form 
• Child’s Health & Medical Form
• Outside the Fence Play & Permission to Travel Form
• Documentation of Receipt of Discipline Policy
• Documentation of Receipt of Parent Policy
• Tuition/Payment Policy
• Emergency Contact & Medical Care Authorization
• Documentation of Receipt of Summary of Child Care Law 
• Documentation of Receipt of Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome
• Notification of Smoking & Tobacco Restriction Policy

What are the sign-in and sign-out Procedures?

For the safety and convenience of all parents and children please observe the following guidelines:



• All traffic must follow the entrance & exit signs.  There is a one-way circle drive around the center. 
• Should you need to park for more than the length of time it takes to drop off your child & sign in, please use the staff parking lot on the exit side of the driveway. (South Main Street Location)  Please keep your child with you at ALL times when arriving and departing, as traffic may be heavy, and small children are often difficult to spot between cars. 
• Supervision of children before entering and after departing the classroom is the parent’s responsibility. 
• Children are not to be left unattended at any time!

The sign-in/out book is located at the front door for infants & toddlers at the back door for 2-year-olds & up (South Main Street Location) and at the front entrance for the East Pine Street Center.  A parent or authorized adult (18 years or older) MUST sign your child “in”.  After signing your child “in”, please escort your child to his/her classroom. 

The center’s responsibility does not begin until the parent or authorized adult has signed the child “in” AND he/she is recognized as being present by the teacher.  Teachers sign each child “in” for the classroom’s daily record of the child’s attendance. 

What should I do if I need to pick up my child late?

Please notify the center (South Main Street Location) at 336-789-6840 (East Pine Street Location) 336-789-7030 by 8:00 am if your child is absent or late.  Notify your child's teacher/Director of any extended absences, such as vacations. 

Please call the center if you will be late for pick-up (after 5:30 pm).  A call does NOT negate the late fee.  If you have not contacted the center within 15 MINUTES of closing, we reserve the right to contact the emergency contacts listed on your child’s enrollment form.

If you arrive late to pick up your child according to the above statement, there is a $15.00 late fee per child.  Fifteen minutes after your designated pick-up time, there is a $1.00 per minute/per child late fee.  You must pay the late fee at the time of drop-off on the same day or no later than the next morning.  The child may NOT return until the late fee is paid in full. 



After two late pick-ups, you will be required to schedule a meeting with the Administrator and/or Director to discuss your situation and to determine if our center’s schedule is the proper match for you and your child.   

What is your illness exclusion policy?

The following diseases and conditions upon which a child may return to care after the illness are:

• Chicken Pox- When all sores are scabbed over, dry and crusted.
• Measles- The week after the rash began provided all cough and cold symptoms are gone. 
• Mumps- When all swelling is gone.
• Roseola- After the rash and fever are gone. 
• Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye) - When there is no longer discharge from the eye or 24 hours after treatment has begun.
• Impetigo- When all sores are scabbed over and not oozing, or 24 hours after start of medication.
• Head Lice or Other Infestation- When physician’s permission is provided, or documentation of treatment is provided and there are NO visible signs of infestation.
• Fever- No fever for 24 hours, without fever-reducing medication, or with a physician's note after 24 hours of exclusion.
• Diarrhea- Re-admitted 24 hours of being diarrhea free.
• Vomiting- Re-admitted after 24 hours without vomiting.
• Rash- After the rash has cleared up or with a physician’s note.
• Strep Throat- 48 hours from exclusion with no fever or 24 hours after treatment. 
• Scarlet Fever- After all symptoms have disappeared.
• Salmonella or Shigella- After two consecutive negative stool specimens. 
• Scabies- 24 hours after treatment with proof of treatment.
• Tuberculosis- Until a physician states the child may return to care.
• Hepatitis- A physician's statement will be required for re-admittance.
• MRSA- A physician’s statement will be required for re-admittance.

*Failure to notify the center’s staff of your child’s diagnosed communicable illness is grounds for dismissal and/or termination of services.

How will daily health checks conducted?

At morning drop-off, the teacher will do a quick visual wellness check of each child.  Should there be visible signs of illness, you may be asked to exclude your child from care that day.  Children will NOT be allowed to attend care if they have any of the following symptoms:

• Fever- Children must be fever-free for 24 hours or until medical evaluation indicates inclusion:  A fever of 100.5 degrees or higher must be excluded from care AT A MINIMUM of 24 hours before returning...To maintain the best health and safety practices for all children and staff, NO exceptions will be made for the 24-hour exclusion from care rule with or without a physician's note. 
• Behavior- Should a child exhibit unusual behavior, such as excessive crying, paleness, lack of appetite, excessive sleeping, or restlessness you may be contacted to discuss your child’s wellness. 
• Signs of Illness- without obvious localizing symptoms: complaint of pain/and or pain that interferes with normal/daily activity.
• Respiratory- Breathing difficulties, i.e. wheezing, severe coughing, ear drainage, discolored nasal discharge with other symptoms, rapid/difficult breathing. 
• Vomiting- More than usual “spitting up”; two or more episodes of vomiting. 
• Diarrhea- Characterized by frequent watery or green-colored bowel movements, which are not related to medications or reaction to food.  Uncontrolled diarrhea, increased number of stools, increased stool water, and/or decreased form that is not contained by the diaper or toilet use.  Should your child have 3 or more episodes of diarrhea while in care you will be contacted to pick, he/she up.
• Rash- Undiagnosed rash other than a mild heat rash.  Rash with fever or behavior change unless a physician states that it is not a communicable disease.  A note from your physician will be required to return to care.
• Sore Throat- Sore throat that needs culturing because other signs are present.
• Ringworm Infection- Excluded and cannot return until 24 hours after initial treatment.

At first sign of illness, the parent will be notified.  The policies for exclusion focus on the needs and the behavior of the ill child.  The decision to send a child home is based on many factors; fever is not the only indicator.  Your positive support of these health standards will help us protect your child, other children, and the teachers at our facility.

 How are medications administered?

Parents should request medications from their physician that can be administered at home.  Prescribed medications will only be administered for chronic and acute conditions.  The parent/guardian must provide a signed Medication Permission Form authorizing that the medicine be given to the child, accompanied by an administration schedule for the medication.  No staff member will administer ANY medication unless the medication is provided in the original container with the child’s name, the physician’s name, and the administration schedule for the medication.

The staff will not assume responsibility for any medication lost or left at the facility.  The center will not store medications longer than the specified time on the medication label.  ALL medications should be returned home with your child daily.

Over-the-Counter Medications

The staff at SMCC I and/or II will NOT administer any over-the-counter medication.  EXCEPTIONS INCLUDE ONLY THE FOLLOWING: Topical ointments i.e., sunscreen & diaper creams ONLY!  No topical ointments may be stored in the child’s cubby or the child’s diaper bag.  Parents must complete a Permission to Administer Medication Form for all topical ointments which should include the duration of time the ointment shall be administered, not to exceed 90 days.

What if my child has allergies?

If a child has any food allergies, a doctor’s note or medical information must be provided in writing verifying this condition and any special treatment that staff will need to administer.  When required, the parent must provide an alternate food item or foods, following the USDA & NC nutrition guidelines for your child at meals and snacks.  Food items not meeting these guidelines and other non-nutritional foods will not be allowed in the center.  Please inform us of all allergies your child may have and the expected cause. 

What is your policy on releasing children?

A child will ONLY be released to those persons authorized in writing by his/her parent or legal guardian.  Parents must notify staff via writing OR, in an emergency a phone call may suffice for a ONE TIME ONLY exception if anyone other than those listed on the restricted pick-up form may pick up your child.

The Staff WILL ask for Identification when anyone who is not recognized, is picking up your child.  The Staff reserves the right to deny the release of a child to ANYONE, INCLUDING PARENTS who appears to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

How do you ensure the accountability of children throughout the day?

Classroom teachers must keep a daily roster of attendance to track the children in their group. 

We would love to meet you and answer any questions you may have. Ask for our parent brochure that contains information about our policies and procedures ensuring your child’s safety and well-being. Contact us to reserve a classroom spot for your child today.

Still have a question?