Frequently asked questions
The following information is designed to answer typical questions that are asked about TCCC by parents who may be considering to enroll their children, as well as parents who have a child currently enrolled. For parents whose children are currently enrolled who may want additional information, please consult your Parent Handbook. If you need additional information about Center operations in general, please contact a Center Director.
What is the cost of sending my child to Tysons Corner Children Center?
What is the Staff-to-Child ratio at TCCC?
What are TCCC's hours of operation?
Why is TCCC closed for 2 in-service days?
When does the school year start?
How do I know if TCCC will be open on days with bad weather?
What are "Helping Hands Points" and how does the Helping Hands system work?
What is "Parents' Night Out" ?
How can my company become a corporate sponsor of TCCC?
Are nutritional snacks and meals provided?
How do I find out in advance what food will be served to my child?
Can TCCC staff apply sunscreen and other topical creams, lotions, etc.?
Can I have other family members -- such as my parents, friends or neighbors -- pick up my child?
Why do I have to sign my child in and out every day?
How frequently does TCCC have Parent/Teacher conferences?
What elective special programs are available above and beyond the basic TCCC childcare offering?
What is required of parents who volunteer for field trips?
I would like to give my child's teacher a special gift, how should this be handled?
I would like to make a donation to TCCC, how should this be handled?
How do I become a member of the TCCC Board of Directors?
I'd like to see what employment opportunities there are at TCCC, who should I contact?
What's the most important thing I should know about TCCC?
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What is the cost of sending my child to Tysons Corner Children's Center?
UPDATED FOR 2010. Semi-monthly rates, payable on the 1st and 15th of each month
| Class | Ages | Full rate | 5% Discount |
| Infants | 3-16 months | $854 | $811 |
| Pre-Toddler I | 14-24 months | $778 | $739 |
| Pre-Toddler II | 20-30 months | $778 | $739 |
| Toddlers | 28-36 months | $711 | $675 |
| Pre-School (McLean)* | 30-48 months | $633 | $601 |
| Pre-School/Pre-K (Spring Hill)* | 36-60 months | $621 | $590 |
| Pre-Kindergarten I/II (McLean) | 42-60 months | $621 | $590 |
| Junior Kindergarten (McLean) | 48-60 months | $667 | $633 |
| Kindergarten (McLean) | 60-72 months | $712 | $676 |
| K-Summer Camp (McLean) | 60-96 months | $712 | $676 |
Drop-in rate: Non-sponsor $70, Corporate/not enrolled $60, Families currently enrolled $60
Registration and re-registration: $100
Deposit: Full-time (4 or more days) - 3X the weekly tuition payment - REFUNDABLE
Corporate 5% Discount: Booz Allen Hamilton and Gannett
These rates are subject to change. For updated figures and for an estimate of the total cost (registration fees, activity fees, tuition deposit, etc.), check with Center Director or a member of the Management Team at either location.
* - Pre-School level and above only for children who are Potty Trained
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What is the Staff-to-Child ratio at TCCC?
Spring Hill Center
Infant – 1:3 Pre-Toddler I – 1:4
Pre-Toddler II – 1:5 Toddler – 1:6.5
Pre-School/Pre-Kindergarten – 1:9.5
McLean Center
Infant – 1:3 Pre-Toddler I – 1:4
Pre-Toddler II – 1:5 Toddler – 1:7
Pre-School – 1:8 Pre-Kindergarten I & II – 1:10
Jr. Kindergarten – 1:9.5 Kindergarten – 1:11
K-Summer Camp – 1:12
TCCC has a minimum of five (5) floaters who are trained to work in all classrooms and divide their time between the Centers. Floaters fill in for staff who are absent from the Center for vacation or personal reasons. When the staff members are all present, these floaters are additional and support classrooms as needed which enables TCCC to exceed the ratios listed.
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Spring Hill Center
Infant - 3 to 16 months Pre-Toddler I – 14 to 24 months
Pre-Toddler II - 20 to 30 months Toddler – 28 to 36 months
Pre-School/Pre-Kindergarten – 36 to 60 months
McLean Center
Infant - 3 to16 months Pre-Toddler I – 14 to 24 months
Pre-Toddler II - 20 to 30 months Toddler – 28 to 36 months
Pre-School – 30 to 48 months Pre-Kindergarten – 42 to 60 months
Jr. Kindergarten – 48 to 60 months Kindergarten – 60 to 72 months
Age groups are subject to change at the Executive Director's and/or the Board of Directors' discretion
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What are TCCC's hours of operation?
Both the TCCC McLean and Spring Hill locations open at 7:15 am and close at 6:15 pm five days a week throughout the year. Centers are closed on major Federal holidays and 2 pre-scheduled staff in-service training days.
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Why is TCCC closed for 2 in-service days?
Each In-Service day provides the staff with an opportunity to receive 4 hours of staff development and program enhancement training that assists them with the care and education of the children. The remaining 4 hours is devoted to classroom physical enhancement that cannot be completed when the children are present.
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When does the school year start?
The school year starts the day after Labor Day immediately after Summer Camp. However, enrollment is based on space availability in all classrooms and occurs as spaces open up throughout the year.
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How do I know if TCCC will be open on days with bad weather?
Each Center makes every effort to update their Center phone message by 6am on days that weather might effect opening times – McLean: 703-761-1123, Spring Hill: 703-761-1161. Also, TCCC uses SchoolsOut.com which will notify you via e-mail regarding Center's status as well as displaying it online. We encourage you to register to receive e-mail notification of center alerts (emergency and weather related) by going to www.SchoolsOut.com and clicking on Child Care & Preschool/Virginia/Tysons Corner Children's Center/I WANT EMAIL, fill in your e-mail address and click on the subscribe button. E-mail addresses are kept confidential.
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Parents fill out an Emergency Card for each child at the Center. This card contains critical information to be used in an emergency situation to include but not be limited to: complete updated contact information for all parents and guardians, child's pediatrician contact information, list of allergies, etc. This card also has information such as who to contact if the parents/guardians are not available who is authorized to pick the child up at the Center, etc. Here is a link to the form as a .pdf. You can also get a copy of the form from the Director of your Center. The Emergency Card, like all information in a child's folder, is kept confidential.
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What are "Helping Hands Points" and how does the Helping Hands system work?
The Tysons Corner Children's Center maintains a Helping Hands program that ensures that parents enrolling their children into the Center understand and accept their responsibility to provide support to the Center in addition to tuition payments.
Example: For one child in attendance at TCCC a minimum of 12 points needs to be earned during the course of the year for two or more children in attendance, the minimum amount of points earned is 18 points during the course of the year.
A Helping Hands form must be completed and signed before you get credit for your points. Here is a link to the form as a .pdf. You can also get a copy of the form from the Director of your Center.
A detailed explanation of the Helping Hands program is available in your Parent Handbook.
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I need a form (for Helping Hands Points, Parent's Night Out, Authorization to Apply Sunscreen, etc.). Where do I get one?
If the form you need is not available as a .pdf on this site in the Parents Resources section, please contact the Director of your Center for the form you may need.
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What is "Parents' Night Out" ?
TCCC periodically offers parents a night out by extending the Centers' hours on a designated Friday. The Parents' Night Out (PNO) sign-up sheet is posted near the sign in/sign out sheet in your child's classroom. This special Center event will be staffed (by center staff) based on the number of children whose parents have signed them up for this event. Dinner will be served to the children. There is a nominal fee associated with this service. Children must be picked up by 9 p.m. or a late fee is imposed.
A PNO form must be filled out prior to the designated Friday so that the appropriate number of staff can sign up to provide care. Here is a link to the form as a .pdf. You can also get a copy of the form from the Director of your Center.
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How do I know if my company is a corporate sponsor and if I qualify for a discount because of their sponsorship?
Go to the Corporate Sponsorship area of this site. You will find a list of the businesses that provide priority enrollment and/or a 5% tuition discount for their employees.
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How can my company become a corporate sponsor of TCCC?
Have the person in your company that handles employee benefits contact The TCCC Executive Director, Marge Cameron at 703-917-9290 or they can contact the corporate liaison by e-mail: CorporateSponsorship@TysonsCornerChildren.com. You can find out more about TCCC corporate sponsorship, including the major benefits of sponsorship in the Corporate Sponsorship section of this site.
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I'm not in a position to take advantage of priority enrollment through corporate sponsorship, are there any alternatives?
Due to numerous requests of parents in the community who are not employed by a corporate sponsor, TCCC has developed an individual sponsorship plan that has similar benefits of corporate sponsorship. The TCCC Executive Director can provide the details on costs and benefits to help you determine if this is a beneficial route for you to take when considering your child for enrollment.
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Are nutritious snacks and meals provided?
Yes. Although there are some differences between age groups, your child will get a minimum of a morning snack, a midday hot lunch and an afternoon snack. Our Food Service's nutritionist, partnering with our Management team, designs the menus that are in accordance with State and Federal USDA guidelines. Menus are posted at your child's Center.
TCCC is a peanut- and tree nut-free environment.
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How do I find out in advance what food will be served to my child?
We are working on posting the lunch menus to this site. Also, the Center Directors have a copy and post updates in the same place in each Center. Copies can be found on each bulletin board in every classroom and on the Parent Bulletin where the monthly calendars are located at each location.
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Can TCCC staff apply sunscreen and other topical creams, lotions, etc.?
Yes, parents supply the product and must fill out a consent form. Here is a link to the form as a .pdf. You can also get a copy of the form from the Director of your Center. Regarding sunscreen: Parents are requested to apply sunscreen to their child or children before bringing them to the Center. If additional applications are necessary, TCCC staff will apply the sunscreen as long as the appropriate Topical Application form is filled out and signed.
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Can I have other family members -- such as my parents, friends or neighbors -- pick up my child?
The only people authorized to pick up your children must be listed on the Emergency Card (see pdf). If you need someone other than those authorized on the Emergency Card to pick up your child, you must give signed authorization, including the person's full name and the dates that they are authorized to pick up the child to the Director of your Center. When that person picks up the child, they must provide proper photo ID (e.g., Driver's License) to the Center Director.
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Why do I have to sign my child in and out every day?
TCCC has a strict policy on signing in and out for accountability purposes to meet licensing regulations and especially in case of any emergency situation that would require an accurate count.
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How frequently does TCCC have Parent/Teacher conferences?
Formal Parent/Teacher Conferences are offered 2 times per year for children from Preschool through Kindergarten, however, parents can set up conferences with their child's teacher and/or Center Management on an as needed basis. We ask that you schedule these meetings in advance in order to ensure that staffing is adequate on the day that you request the meeting. Typically, we schedule these meetings between 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. however, we will make every effort to accommodate the parents request when possible.
We actively discourage parents from engaging staff in conversation during drop-off and pick up times when the teachers' first responsibility is the safety and well-being of the group of children under their care.
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What elective programs are available above and beyond the basic TCCC childcare offering?
TCCC tries to keep a diverse offering of additional social and learning opportunities available throughout the day. During the school year, TCCC provides an In-House fitness program (2½ years & up) and an In-House science program (3 years & up) where all children in these age groups have an opportunity to participate Soccer and Spanish are offered on an individual fee basis for children (3 years & up) at the McLean Center and a special Gymnastic program is offered on an individual fee basis for children (2½ years & up) at the Spring Hill Center. Please contact the Director of your Center if you require additional information.
NOTE: On classes offered by outside vendors, TCCC has a staff member attend each class to ensure the level of care is up to TCCC standards.
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What is required of parents who volunteer for field trips?
When a parent signs up for a field trip, they are expected to show up at their child's classroom on the proscribed date at the proscribed time. Specific details about the field trip will be distributed at that time for example, each parent will be given a sheet with basic information about the trip (lead teacher, first aid box location, etc.). Each parent will be assigned two children (typically their child and a classmate). The parent is responsible for those children for the duration of the field trip from getting them on the bus at TCCC to getting them off the bus at the field trip location, to monitoring bathroom breaks, to making sure the children get back on the bus to go back to TCCC, to making sure the children are back in their classroom under their teacher's supervision.
If the field trip activity requires tickets, typically three tickets (one for the parent and one for each child) will be distributed at the field trip location. If appropriate, the parent will be given drinking water and snacks for the children and themselves.
Parents are asked not to purchase any food or drinks on the field trip.
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I would like to give my child's teacher a special gift, how should this be handled?
Giving a special gift to your child's teacher or teachers should be at your personal discretion. Each year we celebrate our staff during Staff Appreciation Week which occurs the week before Memorial Day. At this time, parents sign up to provide special breakfasts, dessert buffets and lunch for the staff. We also ask that you donate gift cards and money during this time to be used at our popular staff appreciation raffle that occurs annually at our Staff Appreciation Dinner in the fall. Also, in December, the Board of Directors asks parents to contribute to a Holiday gift pool that enables TCCC to give a monetary gift of $100 to all full time employees and $50 to all part time employees.
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I would like to make a donation to TCCC, how should this be handled?
Your donation will be most appreciated. Contact The TCCC Executive Director at 703-917-9290 or you can contact by e-mail the member of the TCCC Board of Directors that works with donations and fundraising: FundRaising@TysonsCornerChildren.com
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How do I become a member of the TCCC Board of Directors?
Every March, a board slate is populated by parents who volunteer their time and expertise to serve on the TCCC board. Once the slate is complete, it is approved at the April Board of Directors meeting and voted on at the annual May parents' meeting.
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For detailed directions on how to find either of our Centers (McLean and Spring Hill), please refer to the Contact Us section of this site.
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I'd like to see what employment opportunities there are at TCCC, whom should I contact?
To see what positions are currently available and if you would be a good match with our team, call Executive Director, Marge Cameron, at the TCCC Corporate Office at 703-917-9290. For more information, check out the Employment section of this site.
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What's the most important thing I should know about TCCC?
Children at TCCC feel loved and respected as individuals. The Staff Members, Management Team and Board of Directors take pride in knowing that our families can expect that "Our children's hearts and minds will grow strong" in a comfortable and safe learning environment. Our children have open-ended opportunities to participate in developmentally appropriate programs that encourage and motivate their natural desire to learn. Loving hugs are included in our daily curriculum.
At Tysons Corner Children's Center we are fully committed to our goal of providing exceptional high-quality childcare for our children and their families.
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