So many parents and members of our community ask how they can support our little ecosystem. Thank you for your generosity! Here is a list of the top seven ways to support Mud Pies.
1 – Pay Tuition on Time
We’re a small business. When tuition is paid on time, it helps in many ways. Mostly, it helps us pay our wages and bills. Also, when you pay tuition on time, we can focus on neat activities with the children <cheer!> instead of spending time sending you reminder invoices <groan>.
2 – Support Smooth Transitions
The most frequent transition in our community is during drop off and pick up. To help support smooth transitions during these times try doing the following:
- Be consistent. Children typically respond well to rhythm and routine. During drop off, if you always give a hug-and-a-kiss before you go, do that. (And then go!) Sometimes it might be easy, and sometimes it might be hard. But by being consistent in your routine, the children can know what to expect.
- Be mellow, especially during pick up. As exciting as it is to pick up your child, your presence can throw a curve ball of energy into the rest of the room, which may be filled with tired children ready to see their parents/guardians. Keep your voice on a softer setting. And if you want to linger for a few minutes while you collect boots and bags, consider sitting down on the bench or floor to physically lower your presence – and impact – in the room.
- Communicate with the staff. If something is going on in your household (a move; a trip; an illness; a death; a new pet; etc) let the teachers know so they can better understand and support your child during that broader life transition.
3 – Donate Books, Materials, and Craft Supplies
We love books SO much. We already have a robust library. But if you come across a gem that you want to share, feel free to donate a copy to our preschool. Better yet, write an inscription inside with the date and your child’s name, and you’ll be a part of our community long after your child has moved on from our program.
We also love crafts. Dry packing materials? A stack of empty egg cartons? A roll of retired architect plans? Your trash is our treasure: the children do endless amounts of art projects with paper, glue, and other assorted items.
4 – Participate in our Drop In System
We are allowed to have 16 children under our care each day. Most days we have full enrollment, meaning we have 16 children scheduled to attend. However, sometimes we have gaps in our schedule. When this happens, an already-enrolled child can “drop in” for a fee on a day they don’t normally attend. For example, if your child usually attends Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays, but there’s an open spot on Tuesdays, you could grab that spot (or spots) for $75/day. Think: if we do that ten times per month, that’s another $750 that can go towards wages, utilities, etc., and minimize rate increases.
Help us match your demand for additional child care with our supply of of available drop in slots with these two constructive actions:
- Let us know if your child will be OUT on a certain day or days. For example, if you’re planning a trip and your child will not be there when they are scheduled, we’ll mark the calendar as having an open spot that date.
- Get IN spots that you want to take. Contact us to find out availability. We’re still admittedly figuring out the best system for this; at the time of this post we are tracking these openings on a paper calendar.
5 – Read the Parent Handbook
The Parent/Guardian Handbook is chock full of helpful information about our teaching philosophies, sickness policy, late fees, and schedules. Give it a gander.
6 – Write a Review
Share your (hopefully positive!) experience with the broader community by posting on our Yelp and Facebook pages.
7 – Get Certified (Two options: CPR and CBR)
INFANT/CHILD/ADULT CPR: The Child Care Resource & Referral of Multnomah County offers an exceptional Infant/Child/Adult CPR course: it’s 2-3 hours online, then 2.5 hours in a classroom where you can practice on infant, child and adult mannequins. The certification is good for two years. Because we are so committed to safety, Mud Pies Preschool will reimburse any parent or guardian (or grandparent) of a child in our program for doing the $50 training. All teachers and regular visitors to Mud Pies Preschool are CPR Infant/Child certified. And if more people are trained to respond to first aid situations, our entire community will benefit.
CENTRAL BACKGROUND REGISTRY: If you enroll in the CBR (Central Background Registry), you can play a parent-as-teacher role. It’s a two-step process and we will reimburse the costs:
- First, fill out an Online Application with the Oregon Department of Education Early Learning Division for $35.
- Second, once you get your paperwork in the mail you schedule a fingerprinting session for $12.50.
What else?
Those are the top seven ways we brainstormed for helping support our fantastic community. What else are we missing? What ways do you like to contribute?