Academy Hours
Monday–Friday
7:00 AM–5:30 PM
PARENT RESOURCES
Partnership Beyond
the Classroom.
Strong family partnerships help children thrive. This space brings together the information, tools, and resources Little Lambs families need to stay informed and connected.
SCHEDULE A TOURKnown.Loved.Nurtured.
COMMUNICATION • RESOURCES • SUPPORTConnected families. Confident beginnings.
THE LITTLE LAMBS FAMILY RESOURCE CENTER
Helpful Information for
Every Step.
Strong family partnerships begin with clear communication and thoughtful preparation. Whether you are considering Little Lambs, preparing for your child's first day, or already part of our academy family, this page is designed to help you quickly find the information you need.
Enrolled families will use Brightwheel as our secure family hub for communication, documents, billing information, forms, and important updates. This public resource center provides the practical guidance families need before and throughout their Little Lambs experience.
QUICK FAMILY INFORMATION
Little Lambs at a Glance.
Family Communication
Brightwheel is our primary hub for enrolled-family communication, billing, documents, and academy updates.
Late Pickup
Pickups after the 5:30 PM closing time are planned to be assessed at $1 per minute.
Director Contact
FOR ENROLLED FAMILIES
Your Brightwheel Family Hub
- Communicate with teachers and the Little Lambs team
- Receive academy announcements and reminders
- Access current academy documents and policies
- Complete or upload required family information
- Manage billing and account information
- Stay connected to important classroom updates
BRIGHTWHEEL
Your Secure Little Lambs
Family Connection.
Little Lambs uses Brightwheel as the primary digital hub for enrolled families. Child-specific information, current forms, academy documents, billing details, and private family communication belong in this secure environment rather than on the public website.
Before your child begins care, Little Lambs will provide your family with instructions for setting up your account. Please never share your family's invitation, access information, or child-specific information publicly.
PREPARING FOR YOUR CHILD'S FIRST DAY
Confident Beginnings Start
Before Drop-Off.
Starting childcare is an important transition for children and parents. A little preparation helps our teachers learn your child's needs and helps your little one arrive ready to feel safe, known, loved, and nurtured.
Complete Brightwheel
Make sure contact, emergency, authorized pickup, allergy, medical, feeding, and routine information is current.
Tell Us About Your Child
Share routines, comforting strategies, interests, communication cues, emerging skills, and anything that helps us know your child well.
Label Everything
Clearly label permitted personal belongings with your child's first and last name.
Pack Extra Clothing
Provide seasonally appropriate backup clothing and check sizes and supplies regularly as your child grows.
Prepare for the Transition
A loving, confident, and consistent goodbye routine helps children learn that school is safe and that you will return.
WHAT TO BRING
Choose Your Child's Classroom.
Use the classroom guides below as a practical starting point. Final classroom-specific instructions and any required forms will be provided during enrollment and through Brightwheel.
01The MangerInfants • 6 Weeks–15 MonthsVIEW CHECKLIST +
What to Bring
- Prepared and labeled feeding items according to your child's approved feeding plan
- Diapers and wipes
- Authorized diaper cream or ointment when needed
- 2–3 complete changes of clothing, including extra socks
- Any other permitted care items requested by your child's teacher
Help Us Know Your Infant
- Typical feeding times and amounts
- Nap patterns and soothing techniques
- Pacifier use, if applicable
- Allergies, sensitivities, and feeding considerations
- Emerging mobility, sounds, signs, and developmental information relevant to care
Safe Sleep Matters
Little Lambs follows Tennessee safe-sleep requirements for infants and the ABCs of safe sleep: Alone, on their Back, and in an approved Crib or play yard. To help families know what to expect in The Manger:
- Infants are placed on their backs for sleep. If an infant can independently roll from back to front and front to back, the infant does not need to be repositioned after rolling independently.
- Infants sleep only in an approved crib or play yard—not in a car seat, swing, sofa, adult bed, soft mattress, or other restraining device.
- The sleep space is kept clear. Pillows, blankets, quilts, comforters, bumper pads, stuffed toys, and other soft items are not permitted in an infant's sleep area. Bibs are removed before sleep, and toys or mobiles are not attached to the crib.
- If an infant arrives asleep in a car seat or falls asleep somewhere other than an approved sleep space, the infant is moved promptly to the crib or play yard and placed on their back.
- Little Lambs educators will follow required safe-sleep supervision procedures, including regular physical checks of sleeping infants, and infant educators will receive safe-sleep orientation before assuming infant-caregiving duties.
- Please do not send sleep positioners, loose bedding, stuffed animals, or other unapproved sleep items. Any medically necessary exception to standard safe-sleep procedures requires appropriate written physician authorization under Tennessee requirements.
02The MeadowYoung Toddlers • Approximately 12–30 MonthsVIEW CHECKLIST +
What to Bring
- 2 complete changes of clothing and extra socks
- Seasonally appropriate outerwear
- Diapers and wipes when applicable
- Authorized diaper cream when needed
- Additional clothing for children beginning toilet learning
- Any approved cup, feeding item, or classroom supply specifically requested by the teacher
Help Us Know Your Toddler
- Nap and eating routines
- Favorite songs, activities, words, or signs
- Separation concerns and comforting routines
- Toilet-learning progress and terminology used at home
- Allergies, dietary needs, or sensory considerations
Comfort Items
If your child relies on a comfort item during transitions, please discuss it with the teacher before bringing it. Some items may be limited for health, safety, or classroom reasons.
03The Flock2-Year-OldsVIEW CHECKLIST +
What to Bring
- A labeled backpack or approved school bag
- 2 complete changes of clothing
- Extra underwear, pants or shorts, and socks during toilet learning
- Diapers or pull-ups and wipes when applicable
- Weather-appropriate outerwear
- Any approved classroom item requested by the teacher
Growing Independence
Two-year-olds are learning to do more for themselves. Comfortable clothing and simple belongings help children participate in dressing, handwashing, toileting, cleanup, and classroom routines with increasing confidence.
Toilet Learning Partnership
Toilet learning works best when home and school communicate consistently. Little Lambs approaches this developmental step with patience, encouragement, and respect for each child's readiness—never shame or comparison.
04The Flock3-Year-OldsVIEW CHECKLIST +
What to Bring
- A labeled backpack or approved school bag
- 1–2 complete changes of clothing
- Extra underwear and socks
- Weather-appropriate outerwear
- Any approved classroom item requested by the teacher
Building Responsibility
Encourage your child to recognize their backpack, jacket, and personal belongings. These simple routines build confidence and age-appropriate independence while helping children care for their things.
Keep It Simple
Children learn through active play. Choose comfortable clothing and shoes suitable for running, climbing, creating, eating, exploring, and occasionally getting messy.
PLEASE LEAVE AT HOME
What Not to Bring
Unless specifically requested or approved by the academy, please leave toys from home, candy or gum, electronics, jewelry or valuables, money, unapproved food, and small objects that may create a safety concern at home.
Medication should never be placed inside a child's backpack or personal belongings. All medication must follow Little Lambs authorization and storage procedures.
DRESS FOR DISCOVERY
Clothing for Little Learners
Little Lambs is a place for learning, playing, exploring, creating, and occasionally getting messy. Choose comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing and safe footwear that allow your child to run, climb, sit, paint, eat, and play.
THE FIRST WEEK
Give Them Time to Adjust
Children respond to a new environment differently. Some settle immediately; others need more time. Consistent arrival, a warm and confident goodbye, and a predictable pickup routine can help your child build trust in the new rhythm.
PREPARING FOR THE TRANSITION
A Loving Goodbye.
A Confident Beginning.
For many families, the hardest part of the first day is not packing the bag—it is saying goodbye. Tears at drop-off can be difficult for both children and parents, and they do not mean that your child is not ready or that something has gone wrong. Building trust in a new place takes time. Our goal is to make that transition feel warm, predictable, and supported.
Prepare With Confidence
Talk positively and simply about Little Lambs before the first day: your child will have caring teachers, opportunities to play and learn, and you will return after their day. Young children often borrow confidence from the adults they trust most.
Keep Goodbye Brief & Consistent
A loving, predictable routine helps your child learn what to expect. Long goodbyes, repeatedly returning to the classroom, or leaving without saying goodbye can make separation more confusing.
Trust the Teacher Handoff
Share anything important with your child's teacher, offer your reassurance, and allow the teacher to welcome your child into the classroom. Our educators will comfort, redirect, engage, and begin helping your child connect with the rhythm of the day.
A SIMPLE GOODBYE ROUTINE
Warm. Reassuring. Predictable.
You do not need the perfect words. What matters most is that your child experiences the same loving message: I love you. You are safe. I will come back.
HUG→“I LOVE YOU”→“HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY”→TEACHER HANDOFF→GOODBYE
ONCE YOU'VE SAID GOODBYE
We'll Take It From Here.
Our teachers understand that separation is a process. We will meet your child with patience and compassion, help them regulate big feelings, invite them into familiar routines and engaging activities, and begin building the trust that turns a new classroom into a place of belonging.
Some children settle within minutes. Others need days or weeks to become fully comfortable. Both can be normal. We will partner with you, communicate about meaningful concerns, and use Brightwheel for appropriate updates so you can remain connected without disrupting the transition your child is working hard to make.
If Drop-Off Is Difficult
Stay calm and reassuring.
Your tone and body language can communicate safety even when your child is upset.
Avoid sneaking away.
A clear goodbye helps your child learn that departures are predictable and that you return.
Keep the routine familiar.
Whenever possible, use the same short goodbye ritual each day.
Share changes with us.
Poor sleep, travel, illness, family changes, or a difficult morning can affect separation. Knowing helps us support your child.
THE NIGHT BEFORE
A Simple Checklist.
- Bag packed and permitted belongings labeled
- Extra clothing included
- Feeding supplies prepared when applicable
- Diapers and wipes stocked when applicable
- Brightwheel and authorized pickup information current
- Teacher informed of anything important
- Plenty of rest for the day ahead
FROM THE FIRST DAY FORWARD
What Families Can Expect From Us.
Welcome your child by name.Learn your child's routines and needs.Provide a safe, nurturing, Christ-centered environment.Communicate with your family.Treat your child with patience, dignity, kindness, and love.Encourage age-appropriate independence.Support whole-child growth and Christ-like character development.Partner with you when challenges arise.
HEALTH, SAFETY & WELLNESS
Their Well-Being Is
Our Responsibility.
When you entrust your child to Little Lambs, you are trusting us with what matters most. We take that responsibility seriously. Health and safety are not simply policies we follow—they shape how we prepare our classrooms, train our team, communicate with families, and care for children throughout the day.
Our goal is to create an environment where children can safely explore, learn, play, rest, build relationships, and grow while families have confidence in the care surrounding them.
A Secure Arrival & Departure
Children are released according to academy procedures to a parent, guardian, or authorized representative. Families are responsible for keeping pickup information current, and identification may be requested when appropriate.
We want to know who is entering our academy and who is leaving with every child.Healthy Classrooms
Daily care includes active supervision, handwashing, sanitation, safe diapering and toileting practices, and thoughtful attention to the cleanliness of children's environments and materials.
Healthy habits begin early.When Your Child Isn't Feeling Well
If a child shows signs of illness, our team responds to the child's immediate needs, monitors the situation, communicates with the family when appropriate, and follows academy illness and exclusion procedures.
We notice → We care → We communicate → We follow policy.Medication, Allergies & Individual Needs
Families should formally communicate allergies, dietary restrictions, medical needs, medications, and relevant care instructions. Medication should never be placed in a child's backpack; authorization and safe storage procedures apply.
Important health information deserves a clear, documented plan.Prepared for the Unexpected
Emergency preparedness includes plans for evacuation, relocation, shelter-in-place, lockdown, family communication and reunification, practice drills, and accommodations for young children and individual medical needs.
The best time to prepare for an emergency is long before one happens.Safe Sleep for Our Littlest Lambs
Infant sleep receives additional attention through Tennessee-aligned safe-sleep practices, including appropriate positioning, approved sleep spaces, supervision, and restrictions on loose or soft items.
REVIEW THE MANGER SAFE-SLEEP GUIDE →SAFETY HAPPENS ALL DAY
Safety Isn't One Moment.
It Surrounds the Entire Day.
ARRIVALAuthorized handoff→CLASSROOMActive supervision & healthy environments→MEALSAllergy awareness & safe feeding→RESTAge-appropriate rest & safe sleep→PLAYSupervised exploration→PICKUPAuthorized release
SAFETY IS MORE THAN PHYSICAL
Children Need to Feel Safe, Too.
At Little Lambs, children are treated with dignity, patience, kindness, and respect. Teachers help children identify feelings, navigate frustration, build relationships, practice age-appropriate self-regulation, and experience consistent, loving boundaries.
We model Christ-like character through kindness, compassion, love, patience, forgiveness, service, gratitude, honesty, and respect—helping children learn not only how they should be treated, but how they can learn to treat others.
TENNESSEE-ALIGNED PREPAREDNESS
Clear Plans. Trained Adults. Thoughtful Communication.
Tennessee child care rules emphasize supervision, emergency preparedness, medication safety, allergy response, infectious-disease prevention, safe sleep, first aid/CPR, background checks, and physical-premises safety. Little Lambs' final operating policies and staff training will reflect applicable licensing requirements as we prepare for opening.
SUPERVISIONFIRST AID & CPRBACKGROUND CHECKSEMERGENCY PLANNINGALLERGY RESPONSEINFECTION PREVENTION
QUESTIONS ARE WELCOME
Trust Grows Through Communication.
Choosing childcare requires trust. We welcome thoughtful questions about supervision, health, security, emergency preparedness, nutrition, safe sleep, and family communication. If something matters to your family, we want you to ask.
MEALS, FEEDING & NUTRITION
Nourishing Growing Bodies.
Caring for the Whole Child.
Mealtimes at Little Lambs are about more than food. They are opportunities for children to be nourished, practice independence, experience new tastes and textures, build healthy routines, enjoy conversation, and gather around the table in a caring classroom community.
Thoughtfully prepared. Developmentally appropriate. Served with care.Balanced, Age-Appropriate Choices
When Little Lambs provides food, meals and snacks are planned with children's ages, developmental needs, and applicable nutrition standards in mind.
Learning Happens at the Table, Too
Children practice coordination, communication, utensil skills, self-help routines, and growing independence every time they sit down to eat.
Mealtime Is Relationship Time
Children are directly supervised while eating. Teachers remain present to support safety, conversation, encouragement, and responsive care.
Individual Needs Matter
Allergies, feeding plans, dietary needs, developmental readiness, and family communication help guide how we care for each child.
FROM BOTTLES TO BIG-KID BITES
Our Approach Grows With Your Child.
Feeding changes quickly during the first three years of life. We meet children where they are developmentally and support the next appropriate step.
INFANTSIndividual feeding plans & bottle care→EMERGING EATERSAge-appropriate tastes & textures→TODDLERSSelf-feeding & new skills→PRESCHOOLERSGrowing independence & table routines
INFANT FEEDING
Individual Care for
Our Littlest Lambs.
Every baby arrives with an individual feeding history, routine, developmental stage, and family preferences. Our teachers partner with families to understand those needs and follow documented feeding instructions and academy procedures.
Your baby's feeding routine matters to us.
When something changes at home—a formula or milk change, a newly introduced food, an allergy concern, feeding schedule, or developmental milestone—please tell us so we can provide consistent care.
Breast Milk & Formula
Milk, formula, bottles, labeling, storage, preparation, and warming are handled according to academy procedures and applicable requirements.
Individual Feeding Plans
Infant feeding schedules follow each child's needs rather than requiring every baby to eat on one classroom schedule.
Responsive Care
Teachers observe age-appropriate hunger and fullness cues and provide adequate time for feeding without forcing a child to eat.
Developmental Transitions
Families and teachers communicate as infants begin developmentally appropriate foods, textures, cups, and self-feeding skills.
Safe Supervision
Infants and young children are directly supervised during feeding, with attention to safe positioning, appropriate textures, and choking prevention.
FOOD ALLERGIES & INDIVIDUAL DIETARY NEEDS
Every Bite Deserves Attention.
Families should tell Little Lambs about known food allergies, dietary restrictions, medically necessary accommodations, and relevant feeding concerns before care begins—and whenever that information changes.
For children with significant allergies or individualized needs, required documentation and care instructions help our team understand the precautions and response plan that apply to that child.
LEARNING AROUND THE TABLE
Small Moments.
Big Development.
A toddler learning to use a spoon may look like a small moment. To us, it is coordination, concentration, independence, confidence, and development happening at the same time.
Holding a cupUsing fingers & utensilsCommunicating “more” & “all done”Trying tastes & texturesSitting togetherMaking choicesPracticing patienceGrowing independenceCleaning upPracticing gratitude
A LITTLE MESS IS OKAY
Independence Can Be Messy.
Spilled milk, dropped spoons, sticky fingers, and food on a toddler's shirt are often signs that a child is practicing important skills. We encourage growing independence while providing the supervision and help children still need.
GRATITUDE AROUND THE TABLE
Pause. Give Thanks. Share Together.
Mealtimes provide natural opportunities to practice gratitude. As developmentally appropriate, children are encouraged to pause, give thanks, and recognize food as one of the many ways God provides for us.
A TYPICAL MEALTIME RHYTHM
Care in the Everyday Moments.
WASH HANDSPrepare together→GATHERSettle at the table→GIVE THANKSPractice gratitude→EAT & CONNECTNourishment & conversation→PRACTICEBuild independence→CLEAN UPFinish the routine
YOU KNOW YOUR CHILD'S EATING HABITS BEST
Tell Us What You're Seeing at Home.
Families are an important part of the feeding partnership. Please communicate new foods, formula or milk changes, allergy concerns, changes in appetite, feeding difficulties, new cup or utensil skills, texture concerns, dietary changes, and relevant recommendations from your child's healthcare provider.
When home and school communicate, children experience greater consistency.
FAMILY DOCUMENTS & RESOURCES
Everything Your Family Needs.
In the Right Place.
We want important information to be easy to find—not scattered across emails, paper forms, and multiple websites. The Little Lambs website helps families learn, prepare, and reference helpful public information. Once your child is enrolled, Brightwheel becomes your family's primary digital connection to Little Lambs for many of the forms, records, communications, updates, and classroom information you'll use most often.
Learn • Prepare • Reference
General academy information, first-day guidance, health and wellness information, nutrition resources, and public family tools.
Connect • Complete • Communicate
Enrolled-family communication, current forms and documents, child information, account details, and academy updates.
YOUR LLCA FAMILY HUB
One Place for the
Everyday Details.
Once enrolled, families will use Brightwheel as a primary communication and family-management tool. Keeping many enrollment and classroom resources there helps us protect family information, keep records organized, reduce paper, and help families work from current information.
Family & Child Information
Important information associated with your child's care.
Forms & Documents
Enrollment-related forms and academy documents requiring family access or completion.
Classroom Communication
Appropriate messages, announcements, reminders, and updates from Little Lambs.
Daily Connection
Age-appropriate information about your child's day as implemented by the academy.
Billing & Account Information
Family account tools as applicable within Little Lambs' Brightwheel configuration.
Academy Updates
Important notices and current information for enrolled families.
WHERE DO I FIND IT?
A Simple Family Directory.
Our goal is to keep each kind of information where it makes the most sense.
LOOKING FOR...WHERE TO FIND IT
Parent HandbookBrightwheel
Enrollment formsBrightwheel
Emergency contacts & authorized pickupBrightwheel
Child health, allergy & feeding informationBrightwheel
Classroom communication & academy announcementsBrightwheel
Four-Week MenuWebsite + Brightwheel
First-Day GuideWebsite
Health, Safety & Wellness informationWebsite
Meals, Feeding & Nutrition informationWebsite
Questions specific to your childBrightwheel / Contact the Academy
FAMILY RESOURCE LIBRARY
Helpful Resources.
Clear Access.
Parent Handbook
Detailed academy policies, procedures, family responsibilities, attendance information, health requirements, communication practices, and other important information.
AVAILABLE IN BRIGHTWHEELFour-Week Menu
Our rotating toddler and preschool menu with breakfast, morning snack, lunch, and afternoon snack.
VIEW MENU →First-Day Guide
Classroom-specific preparation, packing guidance, transition support, and what families can expect from us.
VIEW FIRST-DAY GUIDE →Health & Wellness
Our approach to supervision, healthy classrooms, illness response, allergies, preparedness, safe sleep, and emotional wellness.
VIEW HEALTH & SAFETY →Forms & Child Records
Enrollment documents and child-specific records are managed through our family systems rather than posted publicly.
ACCESS THROUGH BRIGHTWHEELAcademy Calendar
Closures, holidays, family events, and important academy dates will be shared with families as the annual calendar is finalized.
BRIGHTWHEEL + FAMILY RESOURCESKEEPING YOUR CHILD'S INFORMATION CURRENT
Little Details Can Become
Very Important.
Families should keep Little Lambs informed whenever information changes that could affect a child's care, safety, comfort, or daily experience.
Phone, email, address, or emergency contacts
Authorized pickup persons or changes
Allergies, medications, or health information
Dietary needs or infant feeding changes
Changes that may affect your child's care or emotional well-being
Please don't wait until the next enrollment period to tell us something important has changed.
THOUGHTFUL INFORMATION SHARING
Some Things
Shouldn't Be Public.
You'll notice that not every Little Lambs form or family resource is available for public download—and that's intentional. General academy information can be shared openly. Documents involving individual children, family information, enrollment records, health information, authorized pickup details, or other private records belong within the appropriate family system.
NEED SOMETHING YOU CAN'T FIND?
Don't Spend Time
Searching Old Emails.
If you're unsure where a document, form, policy, or piece of information lives, contact us and we'll help point you in the right direction.
Message Us in Brightwheel
Best for routine child-specific or enrolled-family communication.
Contact Our Director
OUR FAMILY PARTNERSHIP
Organized Information. Open Communication.
Stronger Partnership.
Parenting young children already comes with enough details to remember. Our goal is to make your relationship with Little Lambs simpler—not add another layer of complexity.
We'll use our website for helpful family information, Brightwheel for many of the everyday tools and resources our enrolled families need, and personal communication whenever a conversation is better than a form.
And if you're ever unsure where to begin, just ask. We're here to help.FAMILY FAQS
Questions Families
Often Ask.
These quick answers cover everyday questions. Enrolled families should always follow the current Parent Handbook and Brightwheel communications when a detailed academy policy applies.
What should my child bring on the first day?
Use the classroom-specific checklist above as your starting point. Your child's teacher will provide any additional classroom instructions before care begins.
How should I label my child's belongings?
Clearly label permitted personal belongings with your child's first and last name. This includes clothing, bags, bottles or cups, and care supplies when applicable.
How will Little Lambs communicate with our family?
Brightwheel will be the primary digital hub for enrolled-family communication, documents, billing information, reminders, and important academy updates.
What if my child has an allergy, dietary restriction, or medication?
Provide complete information during enrollment and keep it current. Medication must follow academy authorization and storage procedures and should never be placed in a child's backpack.
What if my child has a difficult drop-off?
A brief, loving, and consistent goodbye usually helps children learn the new routine. Our teachers will comfort and engage your child while building trust over time.
How does Little Lambs approach toilet learning?
We partner with families and follow each child's developmental readiness with patience, consistency, encouragement, and dignity. Home and school communication is especially important during this transition.
Who may pick up my child?
Children may only be released according to Little Lambs' authorized-pickup procedures. Keep your family's authorized pickup information current and follow the identification and security procedures provided during enrollment.
What happens if I am late for pickup?
Little Lambs closes at 5:30 PM. Pickups after closing are planned to be assessed at $1 per minute. Enrolled families should follow the final Parent Handbook policy.
What should I do if my child is sick?
Follow the current illness and attendance guidance provided to enrolled families. When in doubt, contact the academy before arrival so we can help you determine the appropriate next step under academy policy.
How do I contact Little Lambs with a question?
Enrolled families can use Brightwheel for routine communication. You may also email our Director at director@littlelambschristianacad.com.
NEED SOMETHING?
We're Here to Help.
If you can't find the information you need, contact our director. Prospective families who are still deciding whether Little Lambs is the right fit can start by scheduling a tour.
EMAIL OUR DIRECTOR →