The general policies and procedures of Westgate Child Center are located in our Parent Handbook.
Westgate Frequently Asked Questions
When is arrival and dismissal? The Center opens at 7:00 am and closes promptly at 6:30 pm. We require that children be accompanied by an adult and vacate the Center no later than 6:30 pm. A late fee is applicable for children picked up after closing time.
We ask that everyone park their cars in the parking lot or designated parking areas. Parents parked in designated no parking zones may be ticketed or towed at their own expense.
Sign in/sign out children upon arrival and departure
Parents must accompany their children in and out of the building
Is breakfast, lunch, or snacks provided? Yes! The Center provides a nutritious breakfast, lunch and snacks at designated times. Menus are posted for parents to review and are sent to all families at the beginning of each month. Our menu conforms to all USDA nutrition guidelines. Food from home is permissible under special circumstances as discussed in the parent handbook.
Must children be potty-trained to attend Westgate? Yes. While we understand that accidents occasionally happen, all children must be fully potty-trained prior to attending Westgate.
Can I bring in food for the class for my child's birthday? Yes, but Westgate is a PEANUT-FREE facility. Because of the concern of possible allergic reactions, food brought in for celebrations (i.e. birthdays or for other classroom parties) must be store-bought and peanut-free.
How does Westgate communicate with its parents and families? Westgate is proud to offer the Brightwheel App to our currently enrolled families. Through this app the teachers and staff can upload pictures and videos of your child during the day, provide information about upcoming events, and generally communicate with you as needed. In addition, parents can email the teachers and administrators directly about any pertinent information as well as communicate your child's absence for the day. Westgate Child Center also uses this app for credit and debit card tuition payments, monthly statements, and as a way to obtain and print off your tax information.
What is your sick policy? Westgate reserves the right to send home any student who shows signs of illness at school. Any student who becomes ill at school will be made comfortable until his/her parents can be notified and the student is picked up from school. If a child develops a fever of 100 degrees, vomits, has diarrhea, or develops redness of the eye with crusty discharge, parents will be called to pick-up their childwithin one hour. To provide a safe and healthy environment for all of our children, we ask that you keep children at home if they exhibit any of the following symptoms:
A fever of 100 degrees or more;
Vomiting within the previous 24-hour period;
Diarrhea within the previous 24-hour period (including recurring episodes of diarrhea at school);
A heavy nasal discharge indicative of infection;
A constant cough or sore throat;
Fussy, cranky behavior and generally not himself/herself;
Redness and irritation of the eyes;
A skin rash (doctor's note needed to return to school);
Head lice; or
Symptoms of a communicable disease (doctor's note needed to return to school).
**Children may not return to Westgate until they have been fever and symptom-free for 24 hours without medication and may require a doctor's note.
What is your COVID policy? Westgate has, and continues, to follow the Fairfax County Health Department (FCHD) Guidance. The below policy was developed with FCHD guidance and is subject to change per their guidance.
If your child tests positive (regardless of vaccination status) your child must isolate at home for at least 5 days. If they are asymptomatic or symptoms are resolving and they have been fever-free for 24 hours, they may return to school on day 6, and must wear a mask through day 10. If your child will not wear a mask at school, they must remain home until day 10, and may return to school on day 11.
Test to stay for classrooms that have a positive case: If a child tests positive, we require rapid testing on-site only for symptomatic children in the classroom who were exposed to the child who tested positive. Rapid testing will be done at the school using an un-expired test brought from home, a test performed that day signed by a doctor, or a test provided by the school (for an additional $15 fee, per test), and testing will be performed each day for 5 consecutive days, or as long as the child is showing symptoms. If tests are negative, children are allowed to remain at school. All children in the classroom will be required to wear a mask for the following 10 days after the positive case. To participate in the test to stay program, parents must sign a form found in the front office.
If a child tests positive at school, we will remove the child from the classroom immediately, and ask you to pick up your child within an hour.
If a sibling tests positive, your child will be required to utilize the “test to stay” program regardless of their symptoms. For each of the following 5 days after the sibling tests positive, your child will be tested at school using a rapid test. If the test is negative, the child is allowed to remain at school.
These policies are not differentiated by vaccination status of the child. We encourage all children and their families to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. All staff at the school are fully vaccinated and boosted.
Will teachers or staff apply sunscreen or bug spray? If you would like us to apply sunblock or bug spray before outdoor time, parents must complete our permission form, which is located here. Children are not allowed to apply their own sunblock or bug spray therefore; sunscreen will be kept in the classroom. Please clearly label non-expired sunblock and bug spray with your child’s name. Sprayable sunblock is preferred for ease of administration.
Does Westgate administer medication? In order to have Westgate administer any medication, the following rules apply and the Medication Consent Form must be completed in full and submitted to the Center Director.
All oral medications must have a doctor’s prescription. A medication release form signed by the parent/guardian must accompany the medication. The form must specify the dosage to be administered, the time to be administered, and the length of time that the child is expected to be on the medication.
Written authorization from the parent or guardian is also required in order for us to apply topical products, such as insect repellant or sunscreen.
Medication must be in the original container and prescription medication clearly labeled with the full pharmacy label.
Medication must also include the insert with all potential side effects and counter indications.
Medication must be clearly labeled with the child’s first and last name, the name of the medication, and the directions for use.
Prescription medication shall be used only for the child named on the label.
Medication is not allowed in cubbies or book bags.
The school cannot administer medicines or perform procedures requiring specific skills or prior medical training.
What is your emergency and inclement weather policy? The Center has an Emergency Response Plan in place in the event of emergencies that may occur during school hours. Fire, Tornado, Shelter-in-Place, and Active Shooter Drills are held as required by the Commonwealth of Virginia.
The Center follows the U.S. Federal Government Inclement Weather Policy in general, but reserves the right to close the school if conditions are determined to be too dangerous for the children or staff. The Center will send out school closing notification via the Brightwheel app (which also sends an email) regarding delays, early release, and/or closures. Information on the Federal Government’s status is available at the following site: http://www.opm.gov/status/