Preparing Your Baby for Group Care: Key Steps to Take

Essential Steps for Preparing Your Baby for Group Care

Preparing Your Baby for Group Care: Important Steps

As your baby transitions into our care, we want to help make the process as smooth as possible. Here are a few key steps to help prepare your baby for group care routines:

Introduce a Bottle Early
Begin introducing a bottle to your baby as early as possible. This will help them become comfortable with bottle feeding, ensuring they get the necessary nutrition while you're apart and allowing us to maintain a smooth feeding routine.
Promote Independent Sleep Habits
Find a Sleep Training Philosophy that Supports Independent Sleep!
It's important to establish a sleep training approach that encourages safe and independent sleep habits for your baby. According to licensing regulations, babies must be placed on their backs in their cribs for naps, and staff are not permitted to hold sleeping babies. To help your baby adjust to our care routine, we recommend working on fostering independent sleep at home. Babies who are unable to sleep without being held may struggle to rest properly in a group care setting, and this could impact their overall well-being.
Ensure a Smooth Transition
Our goal is to support both you and your baby throughout the transition. If you have any questions or need guidance preparing your baby for these routines, we’re happy to assist and work with you to ensure a successful start in our program.

Photo used with permission.

(Zion enrolled 2025- )

Begin the Application Process

STEP TWO

Register and attend one of our monthly Meet 'n Greet Events. Once you have joined the waitlist (Step One), you will receive a link to participate. After you have attended, you will receive confirmation that this step has been completed.

STEP THREE

After your Meet ’n Greet is complete, your application remains active on our waitlist until an enrollment opening becomes available.
Please remember: Rise and Shine is not a first-come, first-served program.

We carefully review each application to determine the best fit, based on:

Your requested attendance schedule
Each facility’s current classroom census
Developmental balance and availability at the time of the opening

Current contact information is essential.

If your email or phone number changes at any time, please contact our office so we can update your file.

When an opening becomes available, families will be contacted directly with an offer.

If you receive an acceptance email and choose to move forward, you must follow all instructions fully and on time.
If deadlines are missed or documents are incomplete, the space will be offered to another family.

Continuing with enrollment

STEP FOUR ~ Enrollment Forms

ENROLLMENT PROCESS

When the center has an opening for your child, you will be contacted by email.
You will be asked to reply within 24 hours to verify you want care.
You will receive an email to confirm your acceptance and to provide instructions on the enrollment process.
Once you have accepted terms of enrollment a link will be provided to digitally fill out forms for enrollment, including all policies and procedures.
PDF of enrollment forms click here.
Parents are required to read and digitally initial and/or sign all forms, acknowledgment pages from each handbook including our wellness policy, and other pertinent forms required for enrollment.

STEP FIVE ~ Immunization Information and Requirements

Copy of current immunization record is required* for all enrolled children.

*IMMUNIZATION EXEMPTIONS

Child Care Law Center

Immunization Requirements for Children in Child Care in California

The above resource is intended to provide general information about the topic covered.

It is made available with the understanding that Rise and Shine Child Care Centers & Family Services Agency is not engaged in rendering legal or other professional advice.

The site states that the information is current as of January 2022 but the law changes often.

If you need legal advice, you should consult an attorney who can specifically advise or represent you.

STEP SIX ~ 4x6 Vertical Picture

Please bring one (1) 4x6 Vertical Smiling Head-shot Photo for our First Friends Photo Wall.

Miscellaneous enrollment forms ~ Only when applicable

Parent Permission

Physican Instructions

If needed or required, you will receive a digital form to authorize our staff to administer medication.

A digital link will be provided when necessary.

Physican Instructions

If perscription medication is necessary we must have physican's instructions to administer medication.

A digital link will be provided when necessary.

Staying Connected

Physican Instructions

Staying Connected

Our program utilizes the ProCare App to stay connected with parents. This application is also used for sign-in/out procedures and has the capability for online payments.

Preparing Your Baby for Group Care: Key Steps to Take

Essential Steps for Preparing Your Baby for Group Care

Introduction

Application & Enrollment Information

Begin the Application Process

Continuing with enrollment

STEP FOUR ~ Enrollment Forms

STEP FIVE ~ Immunization Information and Requirements

STEP SIX ~ 4x6 Vertical Picture

For Infants Under 12 Months

Individual Infant Sleeping Plan

Miscellaneous enrollment forms ~ Only when applicable

Parent Permission

Physican Instructions

Physican Instructions

Physican Instructions

Physican Instructions

Physican Instructions

Staying Connected

Physican Instructions

Staying Connected

Preparing Your Baby for Group Care: Key Steps to Take

Essential Steps for Preparing Your Baby for Group Care

Introduction

Application & Enrollment Information

Begin the Application Process

Continuing with enrollment

STEP FOUR ~ Enrollment Forms

STEP FIVE ~ Immunization Information and Requirements

STEP SIX ~ 4x6 Vertical Picture

For Infants Under 12 Months

Individual Infant Sleeping Plan

Miscellaneous enrollment forms ~ Only when applicable

Parent Permission

Physican Instructions

Physican Instructions

Physican Instructions

Physican Instructions

Physican Instructions

Staying Connected

Physican Instructions

Staying Connected

Cookie Policy