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First Steps Handbook

This handbook reflects the policies for both First Steps on Main and First Steps with Abbey.

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Last updated on August 28, 2025

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  • Our environment is designed around learning centers, which provide children with opportunities for child-initiated, teacher-facilitated learning experiences. We practice a full day of learning rather than short, concentrated sessions.
    Daily activities allow children to learn through play and everyday experiences. These activities are tools for developing emotional, cognitive, intellectual, physical, and social skills. We believe this environment helps children build balanced self-esteem and a strong self-concept.

    • Help children grow emotionally, developmentally, and with self-confidence

    • Provide each child an opportunity to succeed

    • Support creativity and individuality

  • First Steps Childhood Learning Center serves children from birth to age 12. Our childcare program does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, or disability.
     
    Tour/Interviews
    An interview with parents/guardians and the child is required before admission. Tours are usually scheduled online. Parents may also schedule observation time after the initial visit to see staff interact with children.
     
    Enrollment Forms
    All required paperwork must be completed before a child begins care. Care cannot start until paperwork, fees, and supplies are received. All information will be kept confidential.
     
    Required Paperwork:

    • Child Registration Form

    • Medical Record/Health Assessment Form

    • Emergency Contacts

    • Emergency Medical Release

    • Immunization Record

    • Parent Agreement/Enrollment Policy

    • CACFP Enrollment Form


    Required Supplies:

    • Two complete weather-appropriate sets of clothing (for children who are not fully potty-trained)

    • Diapers/Pull-ups and wipes (if applicable)

    • Favorite blanket or quiet-time toy

    • One package of wipes per child, provided monthly

  • Parents must provide proof of age-appropriate immunizations as required by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) before a child may attend. Immunizations must be kept current, and updated records provided to the center.

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    If parents choose not to immunize, a physician-signed exemption form must be submitted.

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    A current health assessment (within the past year) from a licensed physician is also required prior to enrollment.

  • A minimum of two weeks’ written notice is required to withdraw your child from care. If less than two weeks’ notice is given, full payment for two weeks is still required.


    If First Steps finds it necessary to end care, parents/guardians will also receive a two-week written notice—except in cases such as (but not limited to):

    • Failure to complete required forms

    • Lack of parental cooperation

    • Disrespect or raising your voice to staff

    • Providing false information

    • Consistently late arrivals

    • No-shows for three consecutive days without notice

    • Verbal or physical abuse of staff, children, property, or other families

    • Center’s inability to meet the child’s needs

    • Serious illness of the child

    • Severe behavioral issues or unruliness

    • Parent’s failure to follow policies

    • Nonpayment of tuition/fees

    • Failure to maintain required supplies for the child
       

    These situations may result in immediate termination. If legal action becomes necessary to collect unpaid fees, parents/guardians will be responsible for all legal costs incurred.

  • Contract Renewal
    Contracts are renewed annually in January. Families must notify the center of any changes in contact information, family status, or child needs so forms can remain up to date.

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  • If changes are made to this handbook, parents will receive a two-week notice, and a new agreement page must be signed.

  • Health assessments must be updated annually for children under age 7.

    • For children ages 7 and older, health assessments must be updated every two years.

    • Immunization records must remain current according to KDHE requirements.

  • Regular Payment
    Childcare fees are due in advance and must be paid no later than Monday morning each week before attendance. Parents/guardians are contracting for specific days and times, and payment is required whether or not the child attends. No deductions or refunds are given for illness or absences.
     

    Payment is due according to the following schedule:

    Weekly Rates:

    • Full-Time (up to 50 hours/week)

      • Infants (ages 0-1): $280/week

      • Toddlers (ages 1-3): $205/week

      • Pre-K (ages 3-5): $175/week

    • Before & After School (3-6pm)

      • School Age (ages 5+): $75/week

    • Drop-In Care (if space allows, for current First Step families only)

      • $45/day

    Additional charges/fees:

    • Pre-K Transportation Fee: $20/week. **Offered on an as needed basis. Please contact the office  for availability. 

    • Late Pick-Up Fee: $5.00 for every 15 minutes past pickup. Payment due within one business day of late pickup

    • Over Hours Fee: More than 50 hours per week will be billed at $5.00 per hour beyond the full-time rate.

    • Late Payment Fee: A $5.00 per day late fee applies if payment is not received on time. Children may not attend until tuition and late fees are paid in full. Continued late payments may result in termination of services.

  • Payments may be made by:

    • Bank transfer (automatically through Brightwheel) **Our preferred method of payment. 

    • Check

    • Credit/debit card

    • Payment to staff
       

    Any returned check will incur a $45.00 fee, plus any late fees. Care will not continue until the account is paid in full.

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    Make checks/money orders payable to:
    First Steps Childhood Learning Center

  • First Steps reserves the right to review and adjust rates as needed to accommodate rising costs. Families will receive a 30-day written notice prior to any rate increase.

  • Families wishing to reserve a childcare slot in advance must:
     

    1. Complete the Online Application and pay a $50.00 holding fee (non-refundable)

    2. Pay one week’s tuition in advance of their child's first day

    3. Fill out the Enrollment Packet in advance of their child's first day

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    If a family chooses to remove a child from care after the contract begins, notice must be given, or weekly tuition will continue to be charged. Vacancies are not guaranteed upon return unless regular tuition continues to be paid.

  • First Steps on Main: Monday – Friday: 6:00 A.M. – 6:00 P.M.

    First Steps with Abbey: TBA

  • Parents must notify the center if they will be late for pickup.
     

    • If a child is not picked up within one hour of their scheduled time and no notice has been given, the center will:

      1. Attempt to contact parents/guardians.

      2. Attempt to contact emergency contacts.

      3. Contact law enforcement if all attempts fail.

    • Temporary schedule changes must be requested at least 24 hours in advance.

    • Permanent or long-term changes require two weeks’ notice and may require a new parent agreement.

    • Three consecutive no-shows without notice are grounds for immediate termination, with two weeks’ tuition billed.

    • Parents must notify the center if their child will be absent for the day.

    • Never leave a child unattended on center property.

  • Payment is required for holidays and professional development closures.

    If a holiday falls on a Saturday, the center will close the Friday before. If on a Sunday, the center will close the following Monday.

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    Closures include:

    • New Year’s Day

    • Martin Luther King Jr. Day

    • Good Friday

    • Friday before Memorial Day (close at 5 PM)

    • Memorial Day

    • Independence Day

    • Labor Day

    • Thanksgiving Day

    • Day after Thanksgiving

    • Christmas Eve

    • Christmas Day

    • New Year’s Eve

    • Up to four professional development days per year (dates announced in advance)

  • First Steps provides well-balanced breakfasts, snacks, and lunches each day. Food will always be offered but never forced. Children are encouraged to finish their serving before seconds are provided.
     

    If your child will arrive after a scheduled mealtime, please feed them before drop-off to help the day run smoothly.

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    Meal & Snack Schedule:

    • Breakfast: 7:00 – 8:30 a.m.

    • Morning Snack: 10:00 – 10:30 a.m.

    • Lunch: 11:45 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.

    • Afternoon Snack: 2:45 – 4:30 p.m.

      • (Snacks for school-age children are served when they arrive after school.)

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    Food from Home

    Please do not send food, drinks, gum, or candy from home or restaurants. Items brought in will be stored until the child leaves.

    If you would like to provide a snack for the whole group, please notify the center ahead of time so it can be planned into the day’s meals.

  • Rest time is from 12:00 – 2:00 p.m.

    • If you must drop off or pick up during quiet time, please notify the center so we can prepare your child in advance and minimize disruption.

    • Each child will be provided with a cot/mat, pillow, and blanket.

    • Children may bring one comfort item (such as a small blanket or stuffed animal) to use during rest time only.

    • Children who do not sleep, or who wake early, will be directed to quiet activities that will not disturb others.

  • Children should not bring toys from home. Any toys brought in will be set aside until pickup.
     

    At First Steps, we encourage respect and sharing. Bringing personal toys can make sharing more difficult and increases the risk of loss or damage. For this reason, toys from home are not allowed, except:
     

    • One or two comfort items (e.g., blanket or stuffed animal) for quiet time only.
       

    The center is not responsible for lost or damaged items.

  • Spanking or any form of physical punishment is strictly prohibited. Discipline will never be associated with food, rest, or toileting. Children will not be subjected to discipline that is severe, humiliating, or frightening.

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    Our goal is to help children develop self-control—not to control them. Discipline will always take into account each child’s age and developmental stage.

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    Behavior guidance includes:

    • Positive discipline and redirection based on individual needs

    • Clear communication of expectations and rules

    • Supervised, brief “time-outs” if necessary for safety or to help a child calm down

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    Parents will be notified promptly if behavioral concerns arise. We encourage open, honest communication and welcome feedback or suggestions.

  • Occasionally, children may participate in short walking field trips. Parents will be notified in advance in order to bring carseats or booster seats.

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    Also, the center does provide transportation from local Pre-K programs when needed. Please refer to the Fees section for the appropriate transportation fees.

  • For the safety of all children and staff, First Steps will not care for a child who:

    • Has a fever of 100.5°F or higher

    • Is vomiting

    • Has diarrhea

    • Has a rash of unknown origin

    • Shows symptoms of a contagious disease
       

    Parent responsibilities:

    • Keep your child home if they are ill.

    • Pick up your child within one hour if contacted during the day due to illness.

    • Children must be symptom-free and fever-free for 24 hours without medication before returning.

    • Notify the center if your child has been exposed to a contagious disease.

    • If a child is prescribed antibiotics for a contagious illness, they may not return until they have been on the medication for at least 24 hours.
       

    If staff feel a child has a lingering illness, a doctor’s note may be required before the child is readmitted.

    • Parents must notify the center in writing at least two weeks in advance if their child will be absent for vacation.

    • Each child is allowed two weeks of vacation per calendar year without tuition charges.

    • If proper notice is not given, full tuition will be charged.

    • Any additional absences beyond the allotted vacation will be billed at the child’s regular weekly rate.

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    Parents/Guardians are responsible for providing their own back up care for child’s illness, holidays, closing due to inclement weather, or emergency closure of the center. 

  • A daily Sign In and Sign Out is requred on the Brightwheel app. Parents/Guardians must remember to sign their child/children in and out each day. 

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    Arrival and Departures: 

    The center opens at 6:00 am. Please accompany your child into the center and check them in for the day. The same procedure should be followed at pick up time. 

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    Occasionally you may wish to send someone other than yourself to drop off and pick up your child for the day. Be sure to notify any person doing so of the Arrival and Departure procedure. Always notify the center should there be someone other than you dropping off or picking up for the day. 

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    Any persons taking your place for picking up your child should be listed on the Registration form under “Persons Authorized to pick up my child”. If they are not listed a written authorization from you and a photo ID is required. First Steps will not release the child without your approval for both the protection of your child and the center. 

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    1. Communication: We are very open to any questions or concerns you may have about your child. Drop-off and pick-up times are generally not the best times to discuss these concerns in depth. Instead, please feel free to set up a time that you can meet with the Directors/Teachers so we may give you our undivided attention. 

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    2. Separation: It is normal for some children to have difficulty separating from parents in the morning or not wanting to leave when it’s time to go home. Please be brief, during these transition times. (Sneaking out is not acceptable) A smile, cheerful goodbye kiss, and a reassuring word that you will be back are all that is needed in the morning or evening. In our experience, children are nearly always quick to get involved in activities as soon as the parent leaves. You are welcome to call the center if reassurance is needed. 

    3. Boundaries: This is also a time of testing when two different authority figures are present (the parent and the provider). All the children will test to see if the rules still apply. During arrivals and departures, we expect parents/guardians to back up the daycare rules. If you do not, staff will remind the child that their behavior is inappropriate and take action to correct it if needed. 

    4. Safety: Please be in control of your child during arrivals and departures. At departures, please do not let your child leave the center until you are also leaving. Children are not permitted to go outside unattended. 

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  • Under the licensing rules and regulations, First Steps Childhood Learning Center can only administer medications when accompanied by the Permission to Administer Medication form. Prescriptions must be clearly labeled as follows: 

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    • Be in the original container bearing the original pharmacy label 

    • Prescription name and number 

    • Patient’s name 

    • Name of medication 

    • Expiration Date 

    • Physician’s name 

    • Directions for dosage 

    • Date the prescription was brought to provider 

     

    Non-prescription medications must be accompanied by the Permission form to Administer Medication filled out by the parent/guardian or the child’s physician. 

  • If a child sustains an injury at home, we ask that you inform the director/teacher and provide any follow up care instructions. First Steps Childhood Learning Center understands that kids have accidents, and if your child is injured at the center an incident report is completed. Parents will receive a copy and will be requested to sign the original to keep on file at the center. 

  • First Steps Childhood Learning Center is a mandated reporter. As required by state law, First Steps will report any incidences of suspected child abuse. Our first concern is the safety of your child, and if we suspect he/she has been subjected to abuse, we will file a report to the proper authorities. 

  • If you wish to have a statement with yearly childcare amount and the tax ID number, please notify the center in writing by December 1st. You will receive your statement by January 31st. 

  • In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

     

    To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form.

     

    To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:

    (1) Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights 1400 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;

    (2) Fax: (202) 690-7442; or

    (3) Email: program.intake@usda.gov. This institution is an equal opportunity provider. 

  • First Steps on Main

    1421 Main St.Atchison, KS 66002

     

    First Steps with Abbey

    1920 N. 2nd St.Atchison, KS 66002

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    Office: (913) 367-6060

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    Email: firststepscenters@gmail.com

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First Steps is a trusted daycare in Atchison, Kansas, with two center locations providing nurturing care and programs for children from birth to age 12.

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Locations

First Steps on Main
1421 Main
Atchison, KS 66002

First Steps with Abbey
1900 N. 2nd
Atchison, KS 66002

Contact Us
 

© 2025 First Steps Childhood Learning Centers  •   Privacy Policy  •  Terms & Conditions  •  Site by Storyweaver Brands

Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.

 

 

First Steps Childhood Learning Center, LLC and First Steps with Abbey, Inc. Kansas Department of Health and Environment License #0070309

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