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Information for Parents

IT IS OUR BELIEF that children thrive best in a positive, inclusive, enriched, and playful learning environment where they are encouraged and guided by passionate, kind, nurturing, and child-centered people.
IT IS OUR GOAL to partner with parents to enhance their parenting experience by providing family resources, periodic child development assessments, and a peace of mind knowing that we do our best to make the most of their child’s day.
IT IS OUR COMMITMENT to provide exceptional child care, fully-develop a child’s foundation for their future learning, and support the role of the parent as a child’s life long primary role model.
  • We Keep our environment safe and clean.
  • Contactless Payments
  • Contactless CheckIn
  • Parent Communication
  • At Home Activity Content
  • Digital Documentation​
  • Assessments
  • Shared videos and pictures

Why Choose The Joshua Tree

Choosing quality care that is in a healthy and safe environment should be your number one priority. Look for child care that stimulates and encourages children’s physical, intellectual, and social growth. Keep your child’s age and personality in mind when looking for the program that best meets their needs. Understanding what makes them feel secure and knowing the activities they enjoy and will learn from will make a difference in your final child care decision.

Our Curriculum Focus

We ensure every child is receiving the creative learning experiences they require and that they are developing physically, intellectually, and socially. Our activities, games, and curriculum are all formulated to engage and your child’s natural curiosity and provide a foundation for lifelong success. Preparing your child to succeed in school and in life is the core of our child care curriculum.

In our classrooms, we include daily instruction and activities targeted toward these essential developmental areas:
  • Social-emotional
  • Physical
  • Language
  • Cognitive
  • Literacy
  • Math
  • Science & technology
  • Social studies
  • Arts

Our Curriculum Focus

We ensure every child is receiving the creative learning experiences they require and that they are developing physically, intellectually, and socially. Our activities, games, and curriculum are all formulated to engage and your child’s natural curiosity and provide a foundation for lifelong success. Preparing your child to succeed in school and in life is the core of our child care curriculum.

In our classrooms, we include daily instruction and activities targeted toward these essential developmental areas:
  • Social-emotional
  • Physical
  • Language
  • Cognitive
  • Literacy
  • Math
  • Science & technology
  • Social studies
  • Arts

Toddlers

Our toddler room is filled with educational and age-appropriate toys and materials. We follow a weekly curriculum including the following areas:
  • Music & Movement/Story Time — Includes self-expression, songs, books, instruments and finger plays.
  • Art & Sensory — Includes simple art projects, coloring and many different items to help with sensory development.
  • Gross Motor Play — Includes activity walkers, a large cushioned climber and push/pull toys.
  • Fine-Motor Play & Self – Help Skills Building—Includes stacking blocks, connecting toys, cooking projects and manipulative toys.
  • Play & Learn Time — There is scheduled time at the beginning and end of each day for the kids to explore the room and play with their favorite toys. This is a good time for them to develop language and social skills.
  • We invite you to visit our toddler room. Contact us to schedule a tour!

Preschoolers / Pre-K

Our toddler room is filled with educational and age-appropriate toys and materials. We follow a weekly curriculum including the following areas:
  • Reading/Writing
  • Mathematics
  • Science and Technology
  • Geography
  • Art
  • Music
  • PE
  • Library

Our Staff

We require on-going training for our staff through state classes, orientation videos, in-house training, and other certified professionals in the education field. All of our staff is trained in First Aid and CPR.

Important Parent Information

Family Involvement

We personally believe that family involvement and participation is critical to the development of children. Posted on the wall is the parent communication and informational board which displays the activity calendar, daily schedule, lesson plans and other information about events and resources that may benefit all families. We love and welcome families to recommend activities that the children would enjoy, ideas for the program and/or events going on in the community. We also encourage families to participate in parties, story times, special events, or volunteer in any other classroom related subjects.Parent-teacher conferences will be held once a year. Additional conferences can be scheduled at any time throughout the year as needed to discuss any progress, issues, or concerns of the family of a child.

Payment Information

  • Payments are due on the 1st of every month.
  • A $50.00 late fee will be added after the 5th of the month
  • We accept Subsidy and Private payments
  • Registration Fee is $100.00
  • Registration and first month’s tuition guarantees your child a spot. There is NO REFUND on registration fees.
  • Fees based on enrollment, not attendance.
  • Non-sufficient fund check fee of $25 will be charged to your account.
  • Discount off tuition on two or more children.
  • Family Referral Program, REFER A FAMILY TO ONE OF THE JOSHUA TREE SCHOOLS FOR TUITION DISCOUNTS

Late Pick-up Fee

All children must be picked up by 3:00 p.m. or 6: 00 p.m. depending on full/part times. If your child remains in the facility after closing hours, a charge of $5.00 per each minute (up to one hour) will be added onto your tuition statement. Strictly enforced. If for any reason your child cannot be picked up by closing time, you must make arrangements for an alternate party to pick up your child. We advise to plan to arrive by 5:45 PM. Our staff work a full day and need to depart on time.

*Periodic updates may be required to ensure the accuracy of our files. If your contact information changes during your child’s enrollment, please notify the director as soon as possible.

*Emergency contact information must be updated every 6 months.

Medication Policy

We will not administer medications (prescription or otherwise) to any child unless we have an official current release form signed by the parent, and the prescription documents provided are signed by a physician. All medications (prescription and OTC) must be in the original, childproof container with the child’s first and last name printed on it. Absolutely no medications of any kind are allowed to be left in a child’s cubby, or book bag.All medications must be handed directly to the teacher upon entrance to the classroom.

ILLNESS POLICY: TJT is not equipped to care for sick children. If a child becomes ill during the day, we will isolate the child from the other children and the parent will be notified. When you are called please come to pick up your child within the hour. If you can not be reached, one of the other individuals listed in our files for emergency notification will be contacted. Children who are ill should be kept at home. Please DO NOT bring your child to the center if:

  • They are too ill to play outdoors
  • They have a fever
  • They have a heavy cough or thick, discolored discharge from their nose
  • It has been less than 24 hours since an episode of diarrhea or vomiting
  • They have been treated less than 24 hours with antibiotics for an infectious condition

Nutrition Policy

Good nutrition is important for children to grow and develop healthy bodies and minds, and also fuel their often-continuous activity.Mealtime also provides the opportunity for the development of social, motor coordination and communication skills needed for integration.

Please be aware of the children’s eating times as we will not be able to serve the children meals at times other than the scheduled meal times.If your child is dropped off after breakfast, it is the parent/guardian’s responsibility to feed the child.

CANDY IS NEVER PERMITTED.

Inclement Weather Policy

Should we experience hazardous or inclement weather and we feel it is necessary to close the program; the director will notify all families by phone the night before or morning of closing.In addition, if closing early due to inclement weather, the director will make every reasonable attempt to reach parents or caregivers directly in order to give each family enough time to come pick up the children before the designated closing time.

Vacation Policy

Recognizing the need for a break from the everyday routines and demands, we encourage every family to take a vacation once in a while. Up to one week of vacation may be taken at any time during each calendar year for which tuition will not be charged. Vacation time is to be taken in consecutive working days and notified in writing two weeks in advance so that payment of tuition may be adjusted in a timely manner. Little Arts and Smarts Preschool will close once a year during the summer to allow director and staff one week of vacation as well.In all fairness, tuition will not be charged for that week. Parents will be notified at least three weeks prior to closing, so that they may make the necessary arrangements.

Security Surveillance

To ensure the safety and security of all children, teachers, parents, and visitors, as well as the security of our facility, TJT is equipped with a 24-hour video surveillance system. Security cameras are installed in the classroom, outdoor play area and driveway, and may conduct and record video surveillance of any portion of its premises at any time.

Facility Security: Entrance to the center is locked at all times. Admittance is gained by the buzzer at the front door or calling our center.

Fire Drills: Fire drills are conducted on a monthly basis as required by PA licensing and the Fire Marshall. These monthly drills are announced and occur at different times of the day. Teachers follow The Joshua Tree’s approved evacuation plan and procedure for exit routes and head count confirmation.

In the event of a true emergency or evacuation, parents will receive a text message or phone call with information about the status of the center. Parents may also call us for additional information.

Health & Safety Policy

Teachers will perform a brief and casual assessment of each child every day upon arrival and periodically throughout the day. they will continually look for changes in behavior or appearance that may indicate a change in a child’s health (the sooner a sick child is identified, the sooner his/her health needs can be addressed; early identification can also reduce the spread of illness or disease). If you know that your child is sick, please keep him/her home, so that the child can recover. Masking illnesses (such as giving your child any medication to reduce fevers, coughing etc…) could make the child’s symptoms worse, and also jeopardize the health and safety of the other children in care.
In addition, if your child has been exposed to any communicable diseases outside of the preschool setting, then we ask that you please communicate that information to the teachers, so that they may take the proper precautions should your child or any other display any symptoms. Should children become ill while here at childcare center, we will make every reasonable effort to contact the parents/guardians, so that they may come pick up their child within one hour of the call. If it is constantly suspected that a child’s illness is masked, or the child is brought to class with contagious illnesses on a continuous basis, the center reserves the right to immediately discontinue child care services with no refund.

Infant / Toddler

Our infant and toddler room is filled with State of the Art educational and age-appropriate manipulatives and materials. We follow a weekly curriculum including the following areas:

Music & Movement/Story Time — Includes self-expression, songs, books, instruments and finger plays.

Art & Sensory — Includes simple art projects, coloring and many different items to help with sensory development.

Gross Motor Play — Includes activity walkers, a large cushioned climber and push/pull toys.

Fine-Motor Play & Self – Help Skills Building—Includes stacking blocks, connecting toys, cooking projects and manipulative toys.

Play & Learn Time — There is scheduled time at the beginning and end of each day for the kids to explore the room and play with their favorite toys. This is a good time for them to develop language and social skills.

We invite you to visit our Infant and toddler room. Contact us to schedule a tour!

Preschoolers / Pre-K

Our toddler room is filled with State of the Art educational and age-appropriate manipulatives and materials. We follow a weekly curriculum including the following areas:

  • Reading/Writing
  • Mathematics
  • Science and Technology
  • Geography
  • Art
  • Music
  • PE
  • Library

We prepare children for the next steps in life. Our children head off ready for Kindergarten at various schools around and outside of the area.

Hours of Operation & Closings

The Joshua Tree ELC is open Monday through Friday, from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. for the Preschool.

Darby/Collingdale is open Monday through Friday, from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. for the Preschool.

Our program will be closed for the following holidays additional closures will be communicated:

  • New Year's Day
  • New Year’s Eve dismissal @12pm
  • Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
  • President’s Day
  • Good Friday
  • Memorial Day
  • Independence Day
  • Labor Day
  • Thanksgiving Day
  • Day after Thanksgiving
  • Christmas Eve
  • Christmas Day
  • Day after Christmas

If any holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, then the facility will be closed on the Friday or Monday before/after it. Holidays are not exempt from your child’s regularly scheduled tuition.

Parent Connect

Parents, teachers, and administrators can work together toward co-constructing solutions. We are Empowering our parents by creating a parent-teacher group. This will promote open communication and understanding between parents and school staff. We will partner with parents in the group, ask for their feedback about classroom activities, school programs, field trips, and events.

We Encourage You To Volunteer

We ask that families  participate in bake sales, lemonade stands, or fundraising to raise funds for school supplies. This will provide an opportunity for parents to spend time with us, ask questions, and see us in our element. We would also like to invite parents to talk about their careers and skills. This will enable you to connect with their child’s classmates and to become an active participant in the classroom.

Get in Touch

Do you have an idea or suggestion that you want to share? Let us know! We love Parent involvement

  • The Joshua Tree ELC
  • The Joshua Tree Learning Academy
  • The Joshua Tree Learning Experience
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Covid-19

Download PA Decision Chart
We are following CDC and local COVID-19 guidelines, including social distancing, daily health screenings, and additional measures to keep our children, staff and families safe.

Yes, all employees, parents and children will have to pass a daily health screening. The health screening includes a temperature check and a series of COVID-19 related questions that pertain to the individual and their households.

The health and well-being of our families and staff are our highest priorities. In the interest of limiting the opportunity for transmission to our vulnerable community, we are taking the following precautionary measures:

Your household must remain out of the center if any member of your household has (or has been in close contact with anyone who has):

a. A suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19 (for example – close contact at school, work, religious service, social gathering); or

b. Traveled: internationally; or domestically, from any area which is the subject of travel restrictions under applicable state and local guidance.         

14 days after the last potential exposure, your household may return provided these three things have happened:

a. At least 10 days have passed since any household member first experienced symptoms; and

b. Symptoms have improved for any household member that experienced symptoms (for example, cough or shortness of breath has improved); and

c. The household has been fever-free for at least 72 hours without the use of fever-reducing medicines.

Please note, depending on the circumstances we may require you to obtain medical clearance before return to the center will be allowed.

To implement enhanced safety protocols for all areas including daily health screening, distancing, cleaning, and disinfecting. Our goal is to ensure that all of our health and safety practices in every center are in line with recommendations provided by the CDC and requirements of state and local municipalities, and have the well-being of children, families, and staff at their core.

All employees will be in face coverings while working. Those conducting health screenings will wear gloves while conducting the screenings. Those undertaking disinfection activities will be wearing gloves while disinfecting. Teachers will wear gloves for activities that they wore gloves for in the past; diaper changing and bathroom help, wiping noses, first aid and cleaning. They also wear gloves for preparing and serving food. They will not be required to wear gloves all day.

Unless mandated by local state authorities or medically necessary, The Joshua Tree does not require the use of masks for children. To provide a safe and healthy environment, we employ strict exclusion policies for households, regular health screens, increased disinfection, and social distancing practices. Please contact our center directly to learn more.

Prospective parents are being encouraged to visit our link for a virtual tour.

Keystone Stars

Keystone STARS is Pennsylvania’s Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS). A QRIS is a continuous quality improvement systemic approach to assess, improve, and communicate the level of quality in early and school-age care and education programs. Keystone STARS is a program of Pennsylvania’s Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL).

Our Guiding Principles

Keystone STARS is a responsive system to improve, support, and recognize the continuous quality improvement efforts of early learning programs in Pennsylvania. Our system is guided by three core principles:

  • A whole child approach to education is essential to meeting the holistic and individual needs of each and every child and family.
  • Knowledgeable and responsive early care and education professionals are essential to the development of children and the support of families.
  • Building and sustaining ongoing positive relationships among children, families, early care and education professionals and community stakeholders is essential for the growth and development of every child.

We believe inclusion, diversity, equity and respect are foundational values embedded in these principles.

Keystone STARS has four primary goals:

  • To improve the quality of early care and education;
  • To support early care and education providers in meeting their quality improvement goals;
  • To recognize programs for continuous quality improvement and meeting higher quality standards; and
  • To recognize programs for continuous quality improvement and meeting higher quality standards; and
  • To provide families a way to choose a quality early care and education program.

OCDEL’s Keystone STARS Program supports all early care and education programs to improve program quality. We encourage programs to think about the Keystone STARS Performance Standards as a tool to support continuous quality improvement (CQI) that impacts services to the children and families in your care.

Keystone STARS – Improving the quality through:

  • Standards.
  • Training/Professional Development.
  • Assistance, Resources and Support.
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