FAQ's
Here you will find some of the most frequently asked questions regarding our childcare centers. If you can't find an answer to your question(s) here, please do not hesitate to contact us!
Q: My child is a vegetarian, do you accommodate their diet?
Q: What hours are you open?
Q. How long have you been in business?
Q: What are some indicators of high quality child care?
Q: Do you have a tuition/rate sheet?
Q: How many children are in the center and how many children in the room are allowed?
Q: When can I visit?
Q: Does the staff have CPR and First Aid training?
Q: Why types of training to the teachers have?
Q: Are there training days for the teachers?
Q: What type of benefits do the teachers have?
Q: What type of health records do you maintain?
Q: Do you have a nurse on staff?
Q: What type of position to you place babies for sleeping?
Q: Are the diapering areas away from the kitchen area?
Q: Are the sinks by the changing area? And do staff use the sink after each diaper that is changed? Are there enough gloves by the changing areas to ensure the staff use them with each diaper that is changed?
Q: Do the teachers seem to be enjoying themselves?
Q: Does it appear that there are enough toys for the children to play with?
Q: How are parent/teacher conferences done?
Q: What holidays are you closed?
Q: What often do you take field trips?
Q: How are we informed about snow days?
Q: Is the program atmosphere pleasant?
Q: Is there any outdoor space? Are the children taken outside every day?
Q: Is there a balance of play time, story time, resting and active time?
Q: Are the teachers given breaks and/or prep time?
Q: Are the Director or Administrator involved in the Early Childhood field?
Q: Are the owners involved in the program on a daily basis?
Q: Is the program cleaned and well maintained?
Q: What is my gut reaction to the program?
Q: My child is a vegetarian, do you accommodate their diet?
A: We have a qualified dietician that works with both of our daycare locations who will accommodate your child's diet accordingly.
A: Our North St. Paul location is open Monday-Friday from 5:30am to 7:30pm. The White Bear Lake location is open Monday-Friday from 5:30am to 6:30pm.
Q. How long have you been in business?A: Rebecca opened World Around Us in 1993 as an in home provider. She has obtained her Masters Degree in Early Childhood Education and Business and in 1998 she opened her first center based daycare. In 2001, she purchased the North Saint Paul location. In 2008, Rebecca opened her second center in White Bear Lake.
Q: What are some indicators of high quality child care?A: At World Around Us childcare, we understand the importance of finding high quality childcare for your children. We take great pride in implementing the highest of standards at each of our centers. Some indicators you should look for in a childcare include::
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Training in child development: The caregiver should understand how children develop, their stages of growth and their behavior at various ages. Although specialized training is a key indicator of quality, the provider should have both training and experience.
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Smaller group size: Children benefit from more individualized attention that is possible in smaller groups.
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The program is focused on the needs of the children: Caregivers are prepared to meet children's physical, social, intellectual, and emotional needs as the children grow and change. Differences among children's culture and needs are respected and celebrated.
- The care is consistent: Consistent care is the foundation for healthy development, building the child's security, confidence and sense of well-being. A regular caregiver and minimal turnover in staff are essential elements of high-quality child care.
A: You can view our tuition rate sheet here.
Q: How many children are in the center and how many children in the room are allowed?A: Currently, there are 112 children daily at our North St. Paul location. The White Bear Lake location is licensed for 101 children.
Q: When can I visit?A: Parents of enrolled children are welcome to visit anytime. Grandparents are also welcome. If you would like a tour, please contact us!
Q: Does the staff have CPR and First Aid training?A: All of our teachers and assistants receive CPR and First Aid training on an annual basis. Rebecca and Dawn are Red Cross Certified Trainers to ensure that the staff receives the appropriate training.
Q: Why types of training to the teachers have?A: Our teachers have a variety of different training and education from several colleges and universities. We also have teachers attend conferences, invite on-site trainers as well as 60 hours of on-going training each year. Learn more about our teachers.
Q: Are there training days for the teachers?A: We close for one week in August every year for in-service staff training. We also close for a training day on either Presidents Day, or Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Q: What type of benefits do the teachers have?A: Our staff receive a 401k, short and long term disability, long term care insurance, personal time, educational contribution, life insurance, and child care service discounts.
Q: What type of health records do you maintain?A: Children Need to maintain health records. We need updates on all immunizations each time your child is due for an immunization. We will need health care summaries around each birth date.
Q: Do you have a nurse on staff?A: We have a staff nurse who maintains our health records, and does the job training with staff to ensure a healthy environment for our children. Her main focus is health and safety.
Q: What type of position to you place babies for sleeping?A: All babies are placed on their back for sleep. We use sleep sacks instead of blankets. We also use the Halo Sleep System in order to reduce the risk of SIDS.
Q: Are the diapering areas away from the kitchen area?A: We have all diaper areas away from food areas.
Q: Are the sinks by the changing area? And do staff use the sink after each diaper that is changed? Are there enough gloves by the changing areas to ensure the staff use them with each diaper that is changed?A: All staff members are required to wash their hands after each diaper change. All staff are required to wear gloves with each diaper change as well.
Q: Do the teachers seem to be enjoying themselves?A: Make sure that you take the time to watch the teachers interactions with your child(ren).
Q: Does it appear that there are enough toys for the children to play with?A: It is important that there is enough equipment for the children. We have much more toys than are required. We also rotate our toys quarterly.
Q: How are parent/teacher conferences done?A: Conferences are held two times per year.
Q: What holidays are you closed?A: We are closed 8 holidays during the year including:
- New Years Day
- Memorial Day
- Independence Day
- Labor Day
- Thanksgiving Day
- Friday following Thanksgiving
- Christmas Eve
- Christmas Day
If a holiday falls on a Saturday, the centers will be closed on the Friday before. If the holiday falls on a Sunday, the centers will be closed on the following Monday.
Q: What often do you take field trips?A: We do not do very many field trips. Preschool does a few each year, and the school age children do two per week in the summer. We would prefer to bring people to World Around Us for special activities. We have Brian the Magician, Raptor Center, Mad Science, Folk Play Storytellers, Baker Man, and several more.
Q: How are we informed about snow days?A: We close for snow days when the North Saint Paul/Oakdale/Maplewood and the White Bear Lake area schools close. When you hear that these schools are closed, so are our centers.
Q: Is the program atmosphere pleasant?A: You should feel that this is a place that you would enjoy spending your day.
Q: Is there any outdoor space? Are the children taken outside every day?A: Yes, the children are taken outside daily, weather permitting. We use our playground as well as go on walks. We have great playground areas at both of our centers.
Q: Is there a balance of play time, story time, resting and active time?A: Different activities are done throughout the day. This ensures that a balance of activities are done so that we meet the different needs of all the children, such as small muscle, large muscle, cognitive activities, etc.
Q: Are the teachers given breaks and/or prep time?
A: We have extra staff on a daily basis that just give breaks and prep.
Q: Are the Director or Administrator involved in the Early Childhood field?A: Rebecca serves on several boards and committees looking at state issues pertaining to childcare and early childhood. Rebecca is an advocate for all children through Child Care Works and is very involved with our Legislators.
Q: Are the owners involved in the program on a daily basis?A: Rebecca is the Administrator and Owner and handles the business side of World Around Us. She oversees all of the educational needs of your children. Rebecca is dedicated to creating a warm, nurturing environment for you children. She shares her time between both locations. Please do not hesitate to contact her at any time.
Q: Is the program cleaned and well maintained?A: World Around Us has a cleaning service that maintains our buildings daily. This includes washing each toy and cots on a weekly basis.
Q: What is my gut reaction to the program?A: As a parent you need to trust your own instincts. If you feel good about the program, then your child will also feel good about school. Parents will go through an adjustment period when your child starts daycare. Please talk to your child's teacher about any of your feelings, they can hel you during this time of adjustment. And remember, you can stop in and visit your child at any time!