Frequently Asked Questions

We know that the transition to childcare can be overwhelming and confusing. That's why we're here to help! As you explore what Googols of Learning has to offer, here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions by parents and caregivers.

Enrollment

What are your hours of operation?

We are open Monday - Friday from 7:15AM to 5:45 PM.

Do you have a waiting list?

We do offer waitlists, but they are highly dynamic. Please call 785-856-6002 to find out the current status of a room's waitlist.

Do you offer part-time care?
Part-time enrollment is only offered in the preschool classrooms. Options include Mornings-Only daily 8:30-11:30 or full days, MWF or TTh. However, due to high demand, we are unable to provide these options in the toddler or twos rooms.
Do you offer any discounts?

Yes, we offer a Family Discount of 5% off all children's tuition, if you have more than one child concurrently enrolled.

We also offer a Military Discount of 5% off all children's tuition if at least one parent is active duty military.

What payment methods do you accept?

Googols does not accept credit/debit cards. We believe the associated fees with those cards is better spent back in the school.

Googols does accept Money Orders, Cash, Check, or Automatic Draft from a checking or savings account. You can download and complete the automatic draft form here. You may email back to admin@googolsoflearning.com, or drop off in the front office.

What is your vaccination policy?
We do not accept unimmunized children. If your child has been delayed in receiving their immunizations for medical reasons, we will enroll with a Vaccine Make-Up  Schedule from their medical doctor.
What supplies do I need to provide for my child?
If your child isn't potty-trained we'll need a supply of diapers/pull-ups and wipes. All children need their own water bottle, 2 complete sets of LABELED weather-appropriate clothes, a large old t-shirt to use for messy meals/activities, a light blanket, and lovey (if desired) for naptime (except for pre-k which is non-napping). If your child has any special dietary requirements you may also need to bring in additional items.

Programs & Curriculum

Is Googols of Learning licensed?
Yes! We are licensed by the state of Kansas and the Department of Health and Environment.
What is the teacher-to-student ratio?
Teacher to student ratios vary by age-group. The toddlers (1s) are a 1:6 ratio. The 2s are a 1:7 ratio. All other classrooms are a 1:12 ratio. However, through our staffing patterns and that we don't have our larger rooms completely filled, we are actually able to keep better ratios.
What curriculum is used?

Creative Curriculum utilizes a developmental continuum that helps teachers determine where every individual child is within each domain (social/emotional, language/literacy, gross motor, fine motor, and cognitive).  The teachers then create lesson plans with activities that help children develop and master skills along the continuum, always moving them forward towards kindergarten readiness.

What types of qualifications do Googols of Learning teachers and caregivers have?
Our staff have a wide range of experience and education. You'll find teachers with B.A. degrees in Elementary Ed. or some working on it. Some working on B.A. or A.S. degrees in Early Childhood Education and some in Social Work, Nursing, Speech, and other Therapies. We have several staff with CDA (Child Development Associates) credentials and some working on them as well. Others have decades of experience teaching in early childhood classrooms and during that time have taken hundreds of hours of annual professional development training.
What is a typical day like at Googols of Learning?

A typical day at Googols looks like:
7:15 - Open. Earliest drop-offs will have free play as the first few children arrive.
8:15 - A.M. snack is served.
9:00 - Most classrooms start Circle Time.
9:30-11:30 - During these morning hours classes will have outdoor play, small group work, crafts/fine motor work, and free play.
11:00 - Toddlers (1s) are served lunch
11:30 - Remainder of building is served lunch
11:30 - 12:00 Most classes are finished eating, use restrooms, wash, and lay down for naps.
12:00 - Pre-K is served lunch and do not nap. They will have additional group time, a brief 'rest,' and outdoor time.
2:00 - Everyone starts to get up from naps and P.M. snack served.
2:30-5:45 - Children have free play, another period of outdoor play, read aloud time. Children are picked up at various types throughout this period.
5:45 - Googols is Closed.

Safety & Wellness

How do I get updates on my child? Do you have a mobile app?
We use the Tadpoles Parent App. It is a Daily Digital Reporting app that is free to users and can be found on both Android and Apple platforms in your play stores. Once you've registered and we've created a profile for your child on our end, we will sync up and be able to communicate through the app. You can use it on any device. We'll be able to send you pictures and videos. You'll receive a daily report showing the daily activities your child participated in, and for the younger classrooms, also information on diapering/toileting, feeding, and napping. Tadpoles also has a Direct Messaging feature that allows you and your classroom teachers to communicate with each other throughout the day. This is for discussions that are not too time-sensitive as teachers cannot be on their devices constantly to check messages, but will as they can. If we have need to reach you immediately, we will call.
Is your building secure?
Yes! While the front door is open, you rapidly hit our security door which requires a key-pad code to enter. We have four exterior doors which exit from classrooms to the playgrounds which also have keypad entries. These are for staff access only and family codes will not work. This ensures a safe and secure exit and reentry while visiting the playground that doesn't require the backdoors to remain unlocked. Visitors must sign-in and provide a valid ID to gain access beyond the security door.
What is your sickness policy?

Children will be sent home if they are showing any of the following signs and symptoms of illness:

1. Temperature over 100.0 degrees (99.0 axillary method) or higher
2. Temperature of 99.0 axillary (under arm method) plus one of the following:
a) severe cold with yellow-green discharge
b) cough
c) sore throat
d) sneezing
e) swollen glands
f) skin rash
3. Red watery, or draining eye(s)
4. Drainage from ear(s)
5. Lice
6. Skin lesions, e.g., impetigo, coxsackie, ringworm, scabies
7. Vomiting
8. Diarrhea (two or more loose, watery stools per day)
9. Fainting or seizures, or general sign of listlessness such asweakness, drowsiness, flushed face, headache, or stiff neck
10. Fever with any specific sign and symptoms of a communicable disease to which the child has been exposed.

If your child becomes ill at school you will be notified and your child will be isolated in the front office until you or someone is able to come pick them up. During this time we will make sure your child is as comfortable as possible and provide whatever care is necessary.

Families should keep their children at home if they are displaying any of the above signs or symptoms of illness or if you feel your child is too ill to play outside or participate in regular class activities. If your child requires one-on-one care they should remain home. Children may not come back to the center until they are fever free without medication, diarrhea free, and have not vomited in 24 continuous hours. We will assume if a child is well enough to return to the program he is well enough to participate in all activities including outdoor play.

The center will follow all Health Department guidelines regarding communicable diseases and their incubation periods. No exceptions will be made.

What is your medication policy?
All staff have been trained in Medication Administration. Any medication you bring to Googols for us to give must be in original packaging with the pharmacy label if prescribed. The pharmacy label must show the name of the child we'll be giving it to, the doctor, the date it was filled, and dosing instructions. We cannot accept expired medication. If something you have given to us expires while in our possession, we will return it to you and you will need to bring in new, unexpired medication. You must also fill out the appropriate Long- or Short-Term Medication form for each medication. Believe it or not, medication includes just about anything we can apply or give to your child to ingest, including, diaper cream, sore throat lozenges, Chapstick, and Vaseline!
What is your biting policy?

As unpleasant as it sounds, biting does occur in group environments.  Predominantly seen in the toddler and twos classrooms, biting is a developmentally appropriate and expected behavior. Biting is used by children for a variety of reasons.  For some it is due to frustration or anger, some for lack of communication skills, and still others due to physical changes such as teething.  At Googols we try to work with the child and their family until they are through the phase.  This too shall pass!  It is very difficult to be the parent of the child being bitten.  It is equally difficult to be the parent of a biting child.

Some of the techniques we utilize are separating one child from another child, 'shadowing' a child (keeping him or her next to a teacher all day), reading books about biting, creating social stories for individual children, using ‘chewelry’ (wearable teething jewelry) and of course, verbal discussion, such as 'teeth are not for biting', 'biting hurts', 'we need to use soft touches with our friends', and 'only food should go in our mouths'.  When biting happens, teachers will respond to the biter and the bite-ee: the biter will be told firmly, but not angrily, that biting hurts and is not okay.  For the bite-ee, the area is washed with soap and water, and an incident report will be written. The biter may be invited to offer the bite-ee an ice pack to ‘show care for’ the other child. Biting does appear to be a cyclical thing which may occur in a classroom for a period and then run its course. At Googols we do not have a 3 strikes-you’re-out policy.

Health & Nutrition

Do I need to pack meals for my child?
No. All snacks and the lunch meal are included in full day enrollment, unless your child has a special meal requirement we cannot accommodate.
How do you support children with allergies or special food needs?

We need you to complete one or possibly two forms. The first form is our Dietary Restrictions Worksheet. This one spells out for our kitchen whether your child has a food allergy, an intolerance, religious or other preference. If you give your child special milk for example, we'll ask you to bring a carton to keep at school for us to serve. If there is a specific allergy to foods like eggs or strawberries, we'll offer a substitute. If your child's menu is very strict such as vegan or gluten free, we'll ask you to provide all substitutes. The second form is completed if your child has severe allergies that may result in breathing difficulties. In that case, we need you to complete (with the assistance of your doctor) the FARE form which will dictate the allergy/asthma care plan in detail.

What is your policy on breast milk?
We always want to support breastfeeding moms! We have a refrigerator adjacent to the toddler room so we can keep bottles cool until time to provide a bottle. Of course, we have an open door policy, so any time you want to come nurse your child, you are more than welcome! You can have your privacy in one of our teacher spaces with adult seating.
Do you take the children outdoors?
Yes! KDHE requires that all children go outside at least 60 minutes per day, weather permitting. That said, when we have inclement Kansas weather, icy, cold, or 110 degrees, we do have the option of letting the children get on the indoor climbing structure to get some gross motor exercise and a chance to get their wiggles out! 

Your Child's Future Begins Today!

We want you to feel comfortable and knowledgeable with everything we do at Googols of Learning. If you still have questions, feel free to contact us, or better yet, schedule a time to stop in to see our facilities, meet our staff, and ask any additional questions you may have.

Children smile as they climb onto a firetruck.