Frequently Asked Questions

Hours

What are your hours? When are you open? How do you decide when you close for weather conditions?

We are open 5 days a week, Monday through Friday, from 7:30am to 6:00pm. We are closed for major holidays.

Sugar Plums follows the Montgomery County Public Schools for delays and closures due to weather.

Late

What happens if I am late picking up my child?

We know issues come up, but we ask that you respect that our teachers and staff have families and commitments after work as well. The first time you are late, we'll extend the courtesy of no late charges. However, any subsequent late pick-ups will incur a $2.00 per minute late fee that is paid to Sugar Plums and given to the teacher. Continued tardiness may risk your spot at Sugar Plums.

Meals

Are there meals provided for students? Do you provide snacks?

We provide a morning and afternoon snack for children two years and older. We also provide milk for lunch for our 2’s and older. Each month our Parent eNewsletter outlines the snacks for the month.

Background Checks

Do you conduct background checks on your teachers? What do you include in your background checks?

We conduct a comprehensive background check on all prospective employees and volunteers. The background check consists of a criminal record check for the past seven years, a sex offender search, OFAC search, and a social security verification trace. In addition, we verify all early education and professional education licensing, certifications and degrees.

Outside

Do the children go outside during the day? Do you have a playground?

At Sugar Plums, we have our own private, enclosed playground right on site. (We'll show you during our tour!). The equipment on our playground encourages children to climb, throw and roll balls, play in cars, and work together in the sandbox. Our children go outside every day when the temperature is above 35 degrees and below 90 degrees. (Don't forget to pack sunscreen in your child's Sugar Plum cubby.)

In addition, we currently have access to a large indoor play space in our building for when the weather outside is poor.

Our teachers also take our infant and young toddler classrooms on walks, either in our multi-child buggies or smaller strollers.

CPR & First Aid

Are your teachers trained and certified in CPR and First Aid? How do you handle accidents & injuries?

All of our teachers are trained in both First Aid and CPR. In addition, our On-Site Director and Founder are also trained in First Aid, CPR and medication administration.

If your child has a minor accident at school, it is reported to our central office, and is documented in an Accident Report which your child's teacher will review with you at pick-up. In some cases, you may receive a phone call during the day to make you aware of the accident.

If your child has a serious accident or medical issue during their time at Sugar Plums, we do not hesitate to call 911 to get additional medical services immediately.

Open Door For Parents

May I visit my child anytime I want? Can my parents or other family friends visit my child during the day?

Sugar Plums maintains an open door policy for our parents. You may visit your child anytime you wish, although we do ask that you do not wake your child during nape times or disrupt sleeping classrooms. Family members (grandparents, aunts and uncles, etc.) all have to be preregistered before they will be allowed to access our facility and will not be allowed to visit with your child without this day-specific pre-authorization.

Waitlists

I'd like to enroll my child at Sugar Plums, but it looks like you are full. What should I do? What is your waitlist process?

Please visit our Application & Waitlist Page and complete our application. You'll be asked to provide a non-refundable deposit of $150 to secure your spot on the waitlist. When a spot becomes available, you will be notified both via phone and email. At that time, you'll have 48 hours to notify Sugar Plums of your desire to either claim or pass on the spot. You are allowed one pass while keeping your rank on the list. A second pass will result in your name going to the bottom of our waitlist.

Floaters

What happens when my child's teacher is sick or is on vacation?

Sugar Plums has several teachers who are considered "floaters". These teachers help cover classrooms when teachers take lunches or when issues arise in classrooms and an extra set of hands are needed. These teachers also fill in when teachers are out sick or on vacation. In addition, our Leadership Team (Founder, Director and Curriculum Director) also fill-in in our classrooms. You'll oftentimes see our Leadership Team and our Floaters in your child's classroom during drop-off, pick-up and lunch time so that we're always maintaining our child-to-teacher ratios.

Tour Sugar Plums

Do you conduct Open Houses? How can I come see Sugar Plums?

We don't host Open Houses. Rather, we tour our prospective families individually at a time that is most convenient for you, respecting your busy schedule and ensuring that you get the one-on-one attention you deserve to ensure all of your questions are answered. Just give us a call and we'll get a personalized tour set up for you as soon as possible.

Sickness

Oh no! My child is sick? Can they still go to Sugar Plums today?

We know it's tough when your child is sick, especially when you have a great deal going on at work or home. But unfortunately if your child is contagious or has contagious symptoms (fever, diarrhea, vomiting, pink eye, etc), or is on antibiotics for a diagnosed issue, we ask that you keep your child home until they are symptom free for 24 hours. If your child develops a contagious symptom during the day, our team will call you and ask you to take your child home or to a doctor.

And those common colds or clear running noses? That's childhood! And your child is welcome.

Part Time Care

I'm only working part-time. Do you offer part time care?

Sugar Plums offers a two-day-a week or three-day-a-week option for parents looking for parent time care. Prices for these programs are located on our Tuition Page. Unfortunately we do not offer a morning-only or afternoon-only part-time option.

Still Have Questions?

If you still have questions, simply give us a call at (301) 468-6003 or email us at info@sugarplumscenter.com.