FAQs

Q: Are you a licensed facility? Do you carry insurance?

A: Yes, we opened in 2008. We are licensed as a large family daycare, but we run our daycare on a preschool schedule. Our license number is #197415038. We have a child care insurance policy that we renew yearly. Each family pays $120 yearly towards this policy. 

Q: What and when will my child eat?

A: We aim to offer breakfast at 8:00 am, lunch at 11:45/12:00 and an afternoon snack around 2:45/3:00, or when the children wake.

We are required to wait 3 hours between breakfast to lunch and 2 hours from lunch to snack by our Food Program sponsor.

We serve the recommended guidelines, per age of child by The Department of Agriculture.

All enrolled and drop-in children are included in our food program. (A sample menu will be given upon request). Parents may bring extra snacks for their child such as: string cheese, yogurt, fruit/veggie pouches, apple sauce, etc… (optional) if they would like their child to eat more often than those times (or) a larger amount.

**If your child has a food allergy, please let us know know we can address this in more detail. We have peanut free options.

Q: Where and When will my child sleep?

A: Our children sleep in the main house daily. We aim our naptime to be from 12:30 to 2:30. Depending on how long it takes them to fall asleep, it may be extended to 3:00. If a child wakes up earlier, we are able to have the child do quiet activities such as books and puzzles.

We use mini cribs and pack n plays for younger children. The placement is in our cozy and dark toddler area with soft music or sound machine. Older children (about 2 years and up) will sleep on low, child-sized cots together in the living room with soft music. *This depends on which is a better fit for each child's needs.

Q: What if my child is older or doesn’t nap?

A: Children will rest quietly for one hour; then they may do a quiet activity.

Q: When can I drop my Child off at Daycare/School?

A: ECK opens at 8:00am. We encourage our families to arrive before 9:30, if possible.

8:00-9:00 is open play (child directed fun play that they get to choose what and where they play) and when breakfast is served.

**We do cut-off arrivals at 11:00 due to our lunch and nap schedule. If pre-arranged, parent may drop-off child from 2:30-4:50, if they have a doctor’s appt. or something that morning. PLEASE only a well visit or a re-check doctor visit in the morning. NO SHOTS BEFORE COMING TO SCHOOL.

**PLEASE note that we have a strict 24-Hour Shot Policy. We ask that we ask families to not give their children shots and then bring to school. Please pick up your child early and then take him/her for shots so you can comfort your child that day. Friday afternoon is best.

Q: Can I stay and watch my child at drop-off?

A: Each child is unique and the amount of time spent will vary. From our experience, we have found that is it best for the child if a parent says a happy goodbye and leaves quickly. Many parents will use the car ride to talk about what their child will enjoy that day at school. Perhaps you could be excited about the playdough, the arts & crafts, all the fun toys, the ball pit, slides, sandbox and friends. You can tell your child that you will be back right after nap, or snack, etc.

It’s tempting to ask for "just one more hug” after your child has happily skipped off, but that is confusing for young children. We suggest that you get your bear hugs at the gate or at the car.

If you have flexibility in your schedule, children get so excited when a parent / caregiver arrives a bit early topic them up. Your child will be thrilled to see you!  

**Please sign-out prior to opening the gate and greeting your child. Once a parent is here, you are responsible for your child’s safety and behavior. We do ask that you please try to keep your child safely with you.We have seen MANY children dart across the grass heading towards the street.  We have sadly witnesses one almost hit by a car. PLEASE hold their hand if they are not mature enough to walk with you.


Q: Do we pay when our child is sick or absent?

A: Yes, we are holding a spot for your child that no other child may use. Please do have open communication with us about the illness you child has. Firstly, we are parents and actually care about our daycare families. Secondly, we are responsible for notifying other families, and perhaps the health department about any outbreaks. Please understand that a cold is most contagious at the beginning (when it's clear).  Since the Pandemic, we've adopted a strict Illness Policy Addendum, which will be given after your child's trial day. Please do not give your child a fever reducer and bring to school.  We are a small group and not a one-on-one nanny here, Thank you for your understanding!

Q: Do we pay for holidays / vacation / closed days?

A: Yes, all families pay for holidays/vacation/closed days. ** You will be given a "Looking Ahead” Paper listings all of the days for the year. Our low rate reflect the paid holidays.
ECK takes a one week vacation each summer that requires payment, billed as usual AND is closed for one week during Winter Break that is also billed as usual.

You will have ample notice of the dates. We are happy to assist you in arranging care for those weeks with other daycares in the area, if you should need help.

Q: What is needed to start my child at Encino Creative Kids (ECK)?

A: Once you and your child have toured our facility, the next step is to schedule a trial day. The Trial Day is from 9:00-3:00 and the fee is $90 cash/venmo/zelle pre-paid to hold the spot. We will text you a detailed accounting of your child’s day (usually during nap time), as well as some pictures to your cell phone. Please understand that we cannot call every hour. Please let us know what's most important to know about during the day. Typically, children may not eat as well as normal being in a new environment.We suggest you bring some back up foods at first, while we get to know your child's habits and be sure to eat a big breakfast that morning.

If the Trial Day was a positive experience, the next step is to start your 2-week Trial Period that will be week to week. During this time, both parties learn about each other to foster a good fit for the child, the child’s family, and for the school.

Once those two weeks have passed and everything is going smoothly, we will provide you with our contract and ask you to Officially Enroll. You will return it, along with a deposit. We require a Month Deposit that will be used the last month your child is with ECK. 

Payments are due on the 1st of each month. You are able to pay ahead if easier, but not past the 1st. There will be a mandatory $25 per day late fee assessed. The monthly fee will vary slightly, depending on how many school days are in each month.


Q: Is your deposit refundable or partially refundable?

A: No, we do not refund, or give partial refunds. You may use up your child's Month Deposit or forfeit the deposit.

Q: What if my child is sick? Can he/she come?

A: It is always best to keep a sick child home to rest and recover. This helps greatly to stop the spreading of illness. **You will be given our illness policy. Please refer to the policy and keep in mind: what your child has and how long he/she has had it. If you are still not sure, please email Deanne at deannerostami5@gmail.com, prior to arriving.

 We have a very strict Illness Policy to follow the CDC guidelines, as well as our state licensing regulations. 

Q: What are your rates?

A: Children ages 15 months and up: Full time: $97 day X (number of days in a given month)

                                                          Part time : $120 day X (number of scheduled days each month)

Children under age 15 months:         Full time only: $105 day X (number of days in a given month)


Q: How many children and teachers do you have?

A: We are State licensed for up to 14 children, but we typically stop at 12 unless we have a few other ones during the school breaks. Our ratio is 1 to 4 under age two and 1 to 6  ages 2-5.

Please note: The number of teachers changes with the number of children on a given day. We typically have two teachers when we are low on children or during naptime. A third teacher joins us during our academic lessons. We normally wrap up our day with 2 teachers. **We have more teachers/staff when we have younger children and/or more total numbers of children. 

We are fortunate to have two sweet volunteers here from High Tech LA this semester from Jan through June to assist as well in the afternoons.

Q: Can I bring my child to school after receiving shots?

A: No, we do not accept a child after having shots. There are rare complications that can occur such as death. There are also common things that can occur such a being in pain, being fussy, running a fever, getting a rash reaction, etc... We ask that you schedule your child's shots on a Friday afternoon and spend the weekend monitoring your child.  We do have a strict 24-hour policy that a child does not attend school for a full 24 hours after receiving one or more shots, please & thank you!

Q: How will my child benefit at your facility rather than being with a nanny?

A: We feel that a good quality nanny is great for the first year or so, depending on each individual child's needs. A nanny may address every need quickly. After this critical period, it's wonderful to foster more independence and growth with peers to reach milestones together.

We do hope that we have answered your questions. If you have a different question not covered, please either call us or email us. Our tours are short, no longer than 10-15 minutes, so that we may attend to the needs of our enrolled children. Tours will be 10-15 minutes showing common areas only / virtual tours are available as well.  We are not showing the inside of our main house. We can provide pictures, videos, or FaceTime you to show the two nap rooms.

* Please see us on Facebook and Instagram @eckkids to see us in action!

Tours are to allow you to see the facility layout and meet the teachers. You will be emailed or given a paper folder with more information.

Specific details are best discussed by phone or email at a time that we are not caring for enrolled children.

deannerostami5@gmail.com or (818) 399-5907

Thank you once again for your interest in our sweet school.

Virtual Tour

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