Parent Handbook
Our Family Handbook & Partnership Guide shares everything you need to know about life at Little Eden, from daily routines and communication to health and safety. Search for a topic or browse by category below.
Little Eden Family Handbook & Partnership Guide
Growing Together: Nurturing Today, Building Strong Roots for Tomorrow
Welcome to Little Eden!
We are honored to partner with your family during these important early years. Childhood is a time of tremendous growth, discovery, and development. At Little Eden, our role is not simply to prepare children academically, but to nurture the whole child—their curiosity, confidence, creativity, compassion, independence, and sense of belonging.
We believe children thrive when they are surrounded by caring adults who share a common understanding of child development and who work together with intention.
Our partnership with families is at the heart of our program. Together, we create an environment where children feel safe, respected, capable, and deeply valued.
We nurture today so children can develop strong roots for tomorrow.
Our Philosophy
The Child at the Center
At Little Eden, children are our why. We view children as capable, curious, and naturally motivated to learn. Inspired by Montessori philosophy and child development research, we create an environment where children can explore at their own pace, develop independence, and build confidence through meaningful experiences.
We believe:
Children learn best when they feel safe, connected, and respected.
Independence develops through trust, patience, and opportunity.
Behavior is communication.
Mistakes are opportunities for growth.
Relationships are the foundation for learning.
Each child develops in their own unique way.
Our goal is not to create perfect children or perfect parents. Our goal is to create an environment where children and adults can continue learning, growing, and repairing together.
Our Family Partnership
Growing Together
At Little Eden, we believe families and educators are partners in supporting children’s development. The relationship between home and school creates a strong foundation where children experience consistency, connection, and encouragement.
Throughout the school year, families will receive reflections and resources inspired by Montessori philosophy, child development research, and respectful parenting practices.
These monthly themes help us create a shared language between home and school and support families in understanding the developmental needs behind children’s experiences.
A Year of Intentions
Each month, we focus on a developmental intention in the classroom and invite families to explore a related idea at home. These themes help create continuity between school and home while giving children opportunities to practice meaningful skills in both environments.
| Month | Classroom Focus | Family Reflection & Intention | Teacher Reflection |
|---|---|---|---|
| August / September | Building Community Establishing routines, Grace & Courtesy, classroom expectations, caring for ourselves, others, and our environment. **g&c: handwashing, bathroom, nap mat, turn taking, lessons, get a teachers attention | Connection & Belonging Reflect: How does my child know they belong and are active participants in our family? Invitation: Create one intentional moment of connection each day and establish predictable family routines. | How am I helping every child and family feel welcomed, valued, and connected? |
| October | Growing Independence Halloween, taking part of community responsibility, conflict resolution, confidence, problem-solving. *earthquake and emergency safety | Growing Independence & Home Safety Reflect: Where might I be helping too quickly? Does my child know what to do in case of emergencies at home? Invitation: Pause before stepping in and trust my child's capabilities. Practice Home Safety routines. | Where can I step back so children can step forward? |
| November | Community & Gratitude Thanksgiving, Diwali, Loy Krathong, family traditions, cultural appreciation, *express gratitude, politely decline food offerings, serving sizes and moderation or how to request seconds | Family Values & Traditions Reflect: What are our family values? How is my child experiencing these? Invitation: Reflect on family values and choose one to focus on throughout the month. | How am I honoring the unique traditions and cultures of every family in our community? |
| December | Kindness & Community Winter holiday celebration, generosity, friendship. *school donation drive | Behavior is Communication Reflect: What might my child's behavior be communicating during this busy season? Invitation: Respond with curiosity, empathy, and connection before correction. | What is each child's behavior communicating, and how can I respond with compassion rather than control? |
| January | Peace & New Beginnings MLK Jr., winter activities, fresh routines, fire safety *penguins, arctic animals | Emotional Regulation Reflect: How do I respond when emotions run high? Invitation: Model calm, name emotions, and practice regulation together. | How am I co-regulating with children and creating an emotionally safe classroom? |
| February | Friendship & Kindness Express appreciation towards friends and peers, acts of kindness, collaboration, Valentine's Day. *tea party | Empathy & Relationships Reflect: How do I model empathy and healthy relationships each day? Invitation: Notice and celebrate acts of kindness, compassion, and repair. | How am I helping children build friendships, resolve conflicts, and care for one another? |
| March | Respect & Responsibility Spring, spring egg hunt, nowruz, songkran, *invertebrates/vertebrates, living/nonliving, categorization of animals and insects | Loving Limits & Respect Reflect: Which boundaries help our family feel safe and connected? Invitation: Hold limits with warmth, consistency, and respect. | Are my expectations clear, respectful, and consistent while preserving each child's dignity? |
| April | Wonder & Discovery Earth Day, gardening, observation, life cycles, caring for our world, Special Friends event | Curiosity & Wonder Reflect: When was the last time I slowed down and followed my child's curiosity? Invitation: Make space for questions, exploration, and shared discovery. | How am I nurturing children's natural curiosity instead of directing it? |
| May | Growth & Celebration Cultural Diversity Weeks, Mother's Day, puppet show with The Rabbit Hole | Resilience & Growth Reflect: How do I respond to mistakes—my child's and my own? Invitation: Celebrate effort, persistence, and learning over perfection. | How am I recognizing progress, encouraging perseverance, and fostering a growth mindset? |
| June / July | Reflection & Transition Father's Day, puppet theater extension, Movie Day and reflection, Spirit Week, celebrations, preparing for next steps, Farewell Circles. | Celebrating Growth & Looking Ahead Reflect: How have we grown together this year? Invitation: Celebrate our journey and carry one meaningful intention into the next season. | How can I help children and families recognize and celebrate their incredible growth this year? |
Program Details
Program Hours
Little Eden operates:
Monday–Friday
8:30 AM–3:00 PM
Our program follows a school-year calendar from August to July with scheduled holidays, breaks, and professional development days.
Families receive the annual school calendar before the start of each school year.
Arrival & Departure Procedures
Children must be signed in and out upon drop-off and pickup using the Brightwheel QR code located at the front of the classroom.
Drop-Off
Arrival is between:
8:30 AM–8:45 AM
A consistent arrival routine supports children’s emotional transition into the classroom and allows teachers to prepare the learning environment.
If your child will arrive after 8:45 AM, please notify the school through Brightwheel. During drop-off, please have your child enter the classroom quietly and greet a teacher.
Pick-Up
Pick-up is between:
2:45 PM–3:00 PM
Please arrive on time to support a calm and predictable end to your child’s school day.
If you anticipate being late, please notify Little Eden through Brightwheel.
Late Pick-Up Policy
We understand that late pick-ups can be stressful for both children and families, and we aim to provide support while emphasizing the importance of adhering to agreed-upon hours of care. Children must be picked up by 3:00 PM unless prior arrangements have been made.
A late pickup fee of $25 for the first 10 minutes will be charged, followed by $5 for every additional minute after 3:10 PM.
Consistent late pickups may require a conversation to determine a plan that supports both your family’s needs and our program hours.
Tuition & Payment Policies
Tuition is based on the annual cost of the program and is divided into monthly installments for family convenience. As a participating ELFA school, families living in San Francisco may qualify for a tuition stipend from SF Department of Early Childhood. Please contact them for more information: https://www.sf.gov/department-san-francisco-department-of-early-childhood
Tuition payments are due on the 25th of the preceding month.
Families may choose from the following payment options:
Monthly Payment Plan
12 equal monthly installments
Payment due on the 25th of the previous month
Quarterly Payment Plan
Tuition paid every three months in advance
Annual Payment Plan
Full tuition paid before the start of the school year
Tuition reserves your child’s space in the program and is based on enrollment, not attendance. Tuition remains due during scheduled school closures, holidays, vacations, and absences.
Communication Expectations
Brightwheel: Daily Communication
Brightwheel is our primary platform for day-to-day communication.
Families may use Brightwheel for:
Attendance updates
Arrival and pick-up notifications
Daily reminders
Schedule questions
General classroom communication
Sharing information about your child’s day
Please check Brightwheel regularly for important updates.
Email: Deeper Conversations
Email is the preferred method for conversations requiring thoughtful discussion, reflection, or documentation.
Examples include:
Behavioral concerns
Developmental observations
Ongoing classroom challenges
Family concerns requiring more conversation
These conversations deserve time and attention. Email allows us to respond thoughtfully and ensure we have a shared understanding.
Phone Calls: Emergencies Only
Phone calls should be reserved for urgent situations requiring immediate attention.
Examples include:
Medical emergencies
Immediate safety concerns
Time-sensitive situations
For non-urgent questions, please use Brightwheel or email.
Behavior Guidance & Social Development
At Little Eden, we believe behavior is communication.
Our approach focuses on:
Understanding children’s needs
Teaching emotional skills
Supporting problem-solving
Maintaining respectful boundaries
Helping children develop self-awareness
We do not use shame, fear, or punishment as behavior guidance tools.
Children are still developing the skills needed to manage emotions, communicate needs, and navigate relationships. Our role is to guide children with patience, respect, and compassion.
Food & Nutrition
Little Eden provides balanced meals and snacks that support children’s growth and development in accordance with recommendations from the USDA My Healthy Plate.
Our food program emphasizes:
Balanced nutrition
Exposure to new foods
Independence during meals
A positive relationship with food
Children are encouraged to explore foods without pressure.
Health & Safety Policies
Our teachers and staff are trained in First Aid and CPR to handle any emergencies.
Families play an important role in maintaining a healthy community. Please model health and hygiene strategies, such as handwashing, coughing into your inner elbow, and properly using and disposing of tissues. Please keep children home when they are unable to fully participate in the school day or when illness may impact the health of others.
Children may not attend the program if:
An illness prevents the child from participating comfortably in facility activities;
An illness results in a greater care need than the staff can provide without compromising the health and safety of the other children;
The illness poses a risk of spread of harmful diseases to others; or
The child has any of the following conditions:
Temperature: Oral temperature of 101°F or ear temperature of 100.4°F or greater; accompanied by behavior changes or other signs and symptoms of illness until medical evaluation indicates inclusion, or the child is 24 hours fever free without using fever-reducing medication.
Symptoms and signs of severe illness such as unusual lethargy, uncontrolled coughing, irritability, persistent crying, difficulty breathing, wheezing or other unusual signs until medical evaluation indicates inclusion.
Medical or Dental Emergency
Staff members are current and certified in CPR and First Aid training. The staff can handle minor injuries sustained at school, and parents will be notified immediately. Staff members may only use soap, water and BandAids. If there is a serious injury to a child, we will call 911 and contact the child's parents immediately. If we cannot reach a parent, the child may be transported to the designated emergency room. Each child has an Emergency Consent Form, signed by the parent, on file in the office.
Contagious Illnesses
If you think that your child or anyone in your family has a contagious illness, such as:
chickenpox
lice
pink eye
hand, foot, and mouth disease
strep throat
COVID-19
please let the school know right away.
We keep all health information confidential. If there is an exposure at school, we will notify parents as needed.
Families should notify Little Eden regarding:
Illness, read Contagious Illnesses
Allergies or medical updates
Changes that may affect their child’s experience
Information that may help us better support their child
School Safety
The safety of all children and adults at school is our top priority. Our staff, along with any participating adults and volunteers, is responsible for creating a safe environment both indoors and outdoors. If you ever have concerns about your child's safety, please always talk to us. Here are some important safety procedures to be aware of:
Emergency Drills: We practice earthquake and fire drills regularly. During these drills everyone must evacuate the building and stay outside until the director gives the “all clear" signal.
Emergency Evacuation: If there's an evacuation, we will contact parents as quickly as possible. Staff will stay with the children the entire time, and we will use tools like Brightwheel and phone calls to keep families updated. Our emergency meeting point is the Glen Park Public Library.
Emergency Preparedness: Our school keeps a supply of essentials on hand in case of an emergency.
Emergency Information & Change of Contact Information
In addition to the contact information maintained in Brightwheel, Little Eden keeps an official Emergency Card on file for each child. The Emergency Card is completed by families and submitted with the enrollment package. It includes current addresses and phone numbers for family members, as well as at least two additional authorized persons who may be contacted in an emergency if you cannot be reached.
Please keep both your child’s Emergency Card and Brightwheel profile up to date. If any phone numbers, addresses, or authorized emergency contacts change, update your information in Brightwheel and email us promptly so we can update your child’s Emergency Card as well.
Authorized Pick-Up
For your child's safety, we can only release them to you, the parent/guardian, or an authorized person listed on the Emergency Card. Anyone picking up your child must be at least 18 years old and show ID when they arrive. If someone not on the Emergency Card is picking up your child, you must provide written permission on that day.
Classroom Community Expectations
We value:
Respectful communication
Partnership
Trust
Inclusion
Collaboration
When questions or concerns arise, we encourage families to begin with a conversation. Our goal is always to understand, communicate openly, and work together toward solutions.
Nurture Root: Parent Education & Coaching
Nurture Root is an extension of Little Eden’s commitment to supporting the whole family.
Through evidence-informed parent coaching, families have opportunities to reflect on child development, strengthen relationships, and navigate the everyday challenges of raising young children.
Parent coaching may include:
Individual conversations
Parenting reflection
Understanding behavior
Building connection
Supporting emotional development
Parent coaching is not about becoming a perfect parent. It is about becoming a more intentional, connected, and confident one.
Closing Reflection
The early years are a foundation for everything that follows.
Every conversation, every routine, and every moment of connection helps children develop the confidence and resilience they carry into the future.
Thank you for trusting us with your child and allowing us to be part of your family’s journey.
Together, we nurture today so children can develop strong roots for tomorrow.
With gratitude,
Michelle San Agustin
Director of Little Eden