Frequently Asked Questions

Our daycare operates from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday.

• Yes, we are a Large Family licensed daycare by the state of Maryland. Our compliance with licensing standards ensures that we maintain the highest standards of care and safety for your child.  Our License #:261620 

Feel free to search us up at:  https://www.checkccmd.org/FacilityDetail.aspx?ft=&fn=Lucy%20Queirolo&sn=&z=20874&c=&co=&lc=&fi=559396 

We blend educational and play-based approaches to foster holistic growth. Our educational activities focus on building foundational skills in language, literacy, and cognitive development, while our play-based approach promotes social-emotional development and physical activity. This combination ensures that our kiddos receive a well-rounded early education, balancing structured learning with the joy and exploration of play.

For information regarding rates, please contact us directly. Our rates may vary based on the age of your child.

A one-week tuition deposit is required upon enrollment. This deposit helps secure your child's place in our program and covers initial administrative costs, materials, and supplies. It is not refundable.

Fees are based on a five-day week, including absences.

Payments are due every Monday morning.  A $10 daily late fee applies for payments not received by the due date. If payment is not received by Friday of the due week, the child will not be permitted to return until the full week's payment has been made.

A $10 fee for every 15 minutes past the scheduled pickup time, starting immediately after the scheduled time (e.g., if picked up at 5:01 PM the late fee will apply). Repeated late pickups may lead to increased fees or potential termination of enrollment.

English and Spanish. 

We prioritize the safety and security of all children in our care.  Our staff is certified in CPR, First Aid, and AED, and has completed additional specialized courses to ensure comprehensive care. We adhere to strict protocols for emergency preparedness and conduct regular drills to keep our procedures up-to-date. Additionally, we have designated two locations for evacuation to ensure a safe and efficient response in any emergency situation. 

Yes, your child’s adjustment is important to us. A two-week trial period is provided before finalizing continued care arrangements. At the end of this period, parents and the provider will discuss the child’s adjustment, acknowledging that each child adapts differently. During or at the end of this trial period, either party may terminate care with immediate notice. After the trial period, standard termination and withdrawal policies will apply.

Yes, we work with children on their potty training journey. Our experienced staff provides guidance, encouragement, and support to help children develop this important skill at their own pace

Absolutely!  We are currently involved with firefighter visits, police visits, local farmers' visits, and seasonal events. These activities provide our kiddos with engaging learning experiences and help build strong connections with our local community. 

Absolutely!  

We have a Parent online portal that offers a range of features to keep you informed and engaged with your child’s daily experiences. Through the platform, you will be able to:

• Receive important communications and updates from the daycare.
• View and download photos of your child’s daily activities.
• Access daily sheets detailing your child’s food intake, nap times, and other activities.
• Review meal information and daily food logs.
• Receive important broadcasts and announcements.
• Send and receive private messages with daycare staff.
• Complete enrollment processes and access necessary forms.
• View and manage electronic documents.
• Sign your child in and out electronically by scanning the QR code located near the entrance/exit door, which requires an e-signature.
• Set and receive reminders for upcoming events or requirements.

This system is designed to provide a comprehensive and interactive way for you to stay connected with your child's experience at our daycare.

Yes, we value strong partnerships with families. We encourage open communication and provide daily updates to keep you informed about your child’s activities, development, and special events. If you ever have questions or concerns, we welcome face-to-face conversations and are always available through the Parent Portal.

We actively keep parents involved by sharing regular updates and photos, helping to build trust and keeping you connected to your child’s day-to-day experiences 

In alignment with the Maryland State Department of Education, we implement strict screen time regulations to ensure healthy development:

· No passive screen time for children under two years of age.

· No more than 30 minutes per week for children aged two and older.

No, to maintain a safe and organized environment, we kindly request that parents refrain from sending toys from home unless specifically requested by the provider for show and tell or a special activity. The daycare cannot take responsibility for lost or broken toys brought from home. Your child will have access to a variety of age-appropriate toys and materials during their time at the daycare.

Not until you are enrolled. We understand how important it is to get to know the staff. While we don’t offer in-person meetings during program hours, we would be happy to introduce our team through “Get to Know the Staff” sheets and other materials so you can gain a better sense of who we are. 

Please note our staff are present everyday. 

Parents are required to provide any necessary personal care supplies for their little one, such as diapers, diaper cream, wipes, sunscreen/bug spray (summer time) and a change of clothing. Additionally, please ensure your child has any specific items they may need, such as comfort items.

Parents are required to provide all necessary personal care supplies for their child, including diapers, diaper cream, wipes, and a change of clothing. Additionally, please ensure your child has any specific items they may need, such as comfort items (e.g., a favorite blanket or stuffed animal).If we run low on any supplies or need additional items, we will notify you via the parent portal application. 

Yes, we reserve the right to cancel the enrollment of a child at our discretion, or for the following possible reasons:

1. Non-payment or excessive late payments

2. Not observing the rules of the daycare as outlined in the parent handbook agreement

3. The administration has determined that the daycare can no longer meet the educational needs of the child

4. Physical or verbal abuse or disrespect of staff or children by parent or child

5. Expired or non-immunization and/or physical

6. Habitual tardiness to pick up your child

7. Persistent behavior that conflicts with daycare expectations (e.g., biting, hitting, throwing objects, or use of inappropriate language)

Occasionally, it may be necessary for an enrolled child to withdraw from daycare. By signing the yearly contract, parents agree to the withdrawal policy and associated fees. To withdraw your child, please notify the director at least 14 days in advance via email or portal. If this notice is not provided, you will be responsible for one week's enrollment payment.

If we find it necessary to terminate our agreement, we will also provide parents with a written 14-day notice. All personal items must be removed from the daycare upon termination of services. Any belongings left unclaimed for 30 days after the termination date will be disposed of or considered the daycare's property.

Yes, we provide nutritious meals and snacks throughout the day. Parents do not need to provide any meals.

As a participant in the Food Program, our day care has agreed to serve nutritious, well- balanced meals and snacks, which meet USDA nutrition requirements. For children ages one to twelve. The Food Program is sponsored by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) with the goal of improving the health of day care children by assuring that their nutritional needs are met.

We provide nutritious meals and snacks to support your child's growth. Special dietary requirements are accommodated. Snacks are balanced and avoid high sugar content to ensure your child's well-being.

We provide lunch and two nutritious snacks daily—one in the morning and one in the afternoon. We make every effort to avoid foods high in sugar or low in nutritional value. If your child has any dietary restrictions, allergies, or cannot eat specific foods, please inform us in writing so we can make appropriate accommodations. Please note that we never force children to eat. Our approach is to gently encourage and support healthy eating habits at each mealtime.

While our policy is to discourage outside meals to maintain consistency and avoid mealtime disruptions, we understand that every family has different preferences. If you are not satisfied with the food we provide, you are more than welcome to pack your child’s meals. However, please note that children bringing outside food will be seated separately during mealtime to minimize distractions for others.

Our daycare may be closed to inclement weather, such as snow or freezing rain. If you suspect the conditions in the morning, please contact us before leaving your home. Check with us to determine if there is a delayed opening. In cases where roads are expected to become extremely hazardous or if county schools close early due to weather conditions, the daycare may also close early. Please note that an announcement will be published through our Parent Portal.

· Inclement Weather Delays: In the event of a two-hour delay announced by Montgomery County Public Schools, Mama Lucy's daycare will open 2 hours later.

· Early Closure: Early closure due to worsening conditions is possible. Parents will be notified promptly through our Parent Portal.

· Closing due to Weather: In the event of closing announced Montgomery County Public Schools, Mama Lucy's daycare will be closed

· Early Dismissal: Closure hours are aligned with the school's early dismissal hours for safety.

· Charges: Charges apply for all daycare, Snow Day, or Delayed Start due to public school closings. We appreciate your cooperation and understanding as we prioritize safety.

· Website: Montgomery Schools 

No, we do not schedule in-person visits during operational hours while the children are present. This helps us maintain a consistent routine and ensures we don’t disrupt the flow of our program. We would be happy to provide a virtual tour.

1. Initial Inquiry: Contact Mama Lucy's Daycare via phone, email, or an in-person visit to inquire about availability and request program details.

2. Explore Our Programs: Visit our website and follow us on social media to learn about our programs, staff, and daily activities.

3. Schedule a Tour: Arrange a tour of the daycare to see the environment and discuss your child’s needs and our programs.

4. Enrollment Discussion: After the tour, if you are interested in enrolling in your child, we will discuss the next steps via phone or email. Once both parties agree, a one-week tuition deposit will be required to secure your child’s spot.

5. Tuition Deposit: A one-time, non-refundable one-week tuition deposit secures your child's enrollment, covers initial materials, and reserves their place in our program.

6. Complete Required Documents: All enrollment documents, including the contract, must be completed before your child’s start date. Documents are available on our parent online portal.

7. First Day Preparation: Parents will receive a welcome memo through the parent portal with details for their child’s first day.

8. Ongoing Communication: We maintain regular communication with parents via the PLAYGROUND portal to ensure updates and continuous support.