Everything You Want to Know

We are a licensed family home daycare located in Boynton Beach, FL, operated by Marlene Nelson. We’ve been serving Palm Beach County families since 2009. A family home daycare means your child is cared for in a real home environment — not a large commercial facility — with a maximum of 6 children at a time, giving every child the individual attention they deserve.

We are located at 20 Miner Road, Boynton Beach, FL 33435. The exact address is provided once enrollment is confirmed.

We are open Monday through Friday, 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM. We are closed on major holidays and occasional scheduled closures — parents are always notified well in advance.

We maintain a maximum of 6 children at all times, across all age groups. This is intentional — a small group means every child gets real individual attention, and Marlene knows each child’s personality, milestones, and needs personally.

Yes. We are fully licensed by the State of Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) as a Family Child Care Home, and have maintained our license in good standing since 2009. We are also a contracted provider with the Early Learning Coalition of Palm Beach County and meet all ELC health, safety, and quality standards.

Absolutely — we encourage it. We want you to see the space, meet Marlene, and feel confident before your child’s first day. Call us at (561) 585-4817 or fill out our enrollment inquiry form to schedule a visit at a time that works for you.

Yes. We have video surveillance cameras both indoors and outdoors. This is part of our commitment to maintaining a safe, accountable environment for every child in our care.

Remote live access is not available, but footage is stored and can be requested by parents if needed. If you ever have a concern about something that happened during the day, you can contact Marlene and request to review the relevant footage.

Yes. Our backyard is fully fenced with a secured gate and features safe artificial turf so there’s no mud, uneven ground, or hard surfaces. Children are always directly supervised during outdoor play. The yard is also covered by outdoor surveillance cameras.

Yes. Marlene holds current CPR and First Aid certification and renews it regularly as required by the State of Florida. A fire extinguisher and other safety equipment are also maintained on site.

Only individuals listed on your child’s authorized pickup list will be allowed to pick up your child. A valid photo ID is required. No exceptions — this policy exists to protect your child and will never be waived, even for family members, unless they are on the approved list.

In the event of a medical emergency, we will call 911 immediately, administer first aid or CPR as needed, and contact you right away. All enrolled families are required to have current emergency contact information and medical authorization on file.

We accept children from 6 months through 4 years old. Our three programs are:

• Little Explorers — 6 months to 1 year
• Busy Bees — 1 to 3 years
• Preschool Pals — 3 to 4 years (Pre-K readiness)

Yes. Each program has age-appropriate learning activities structured throughout the day — but we deliver them through play-based learning, not formal sit-down instruction. Children learn letters, numbers, colors, shapes, and social skills through songs, art, story time, games, and hands-on exploration. The Preschool Pals program is specifically designed for kindergarten readiness.

Children who complete our Preschool Pals program consistently stand out in their kindergarten classrooms — academically and socially. They enter school knowing their letters, numbers, colors, and shapes, and more importantly, they know how to follow routines, sit and focus, take turns, and work alongside other children. Those social and behavioral skills are what kindergarten teachers notice most on day one.

Yes — outdoor play is part of every child’s daily routine, weather permitting. Our fully fenced backyard has swings, a bounce house and slide combo, ride-on cars, ATVs, bikes, and safe artificial turf. Fresh air and physical movement are just as important to development as indoor learning activities.

Yes — always. Home-cooked breakfast, lunch, and afternoon snacks are included in your weekly tuition. Marlene prepares nutritious, balanced meals fresh every day. You do not need to send food with your child unless they have specific dietary needs or allergies that we discuss during enrollment.

Yes. Please inform us of any food allergies, intolerances, or dietary restrictions during enrollment. We take allergies seriously and will work with you to ensure your child’s meals are safe. For severe allergies requiring an EpiPen or other emergency medication, we will review the care plan together.

Yes. Marlene provides daily updates to parents — letting you know how your child ate, slept, played, and any highlights or milestones from the day. You’ll never have to wonder how your child’s day went. We also encourage you to reach out by phone or text anytime during the day if you have a question or concern.

Yes. We have a designated quiet rest period in the afternoon. Infants follow their own individual sleep schedules throughout the day in their dedicated crib spaces. Toddlers and older children have a structured nap or quiet time after lunch. Rest is essential for healthy development and we take it seriously.

While we adjust based on age group and individual needs, a typical day looks like this:

• 7:30 AM — Drop-off, morning greetings & free play
• 9:00 AM — Circle time, learning activities & music
• 11:00 AM — Outdoor play
• 12:00 PM — Home-cooked lunch
• 1:00 PM — Nap / quiet rest time
• 3:00 PM — Afternoon snack & creative activities
• 5:00 PM — Pickup

We’ll go over everything during your tour and enrollment, but generally you’ll want to bring:

• A change of clothes (or two)
• Diapers and wipes if your child is not potty trained
• Any specific comfort item (blanket, stuffed animal) for nap time
• Any required medications with written authorization
• Formula or breast milk if your child is an infant and not yet on solids

Meals and snacks are always provided — you do not need to pack food.

Our private pay rates are:

• Ages 0–2 years: $300 per week
• Ages 2–4 years: $265 per week

All meals, snacks, learning materials, and outdoor play are included — there are no hidden fees. Families enrolled through the ELC School Readiness program pay an income-based copayment determined by ELC. Learn more about ELC enrollment here.

It depends on current availability and your specific situation. We primarily offer full-time care, but part-time arrangements may be possible. The best way to find out is to call us at (561) 585-4817 or schedule a tour — we’re happy to talk through what might work for your family.

Yes. We are a contracted ELC School Readiness provider. If you qualify for the ELC subsidy through Palm Beach County, we can accept your Payment Certificate. Visit our Enrollment page for a full breakdown of how the ELC process works and what documents you’ll need.

The easiest way is to call or text us at (561) 585-4817 to check availability and schedule a tour. You can also fill out our online enrollment inquiry form and we’ll get back to you within 24 hours. We love meeting new families — no pressure, no commitment required for a tour.

Because we maintain a maximum of 6 children, spots do fill up. If we don’t have an immediate opening, we may be able to add you to a waitlist. Private pay families can typically enroll faster than those waiting for ELC approval. Contact us to find out current availability.

We handle illness on a case by case basis. The health and safety of all children in our care is the top priority. If your child is showing symptoms that could spread to other children — fever, vomiting, diarrhea, or a contagious illness — we will ask you to keep them home until they have recovered. We will always communicate openly and use good judgment to protect everyone in our small group.

We are closed on the following holidays each year:

Parents are notified well in advance of any scheduled closures. Tuition is not adjusted for holidays.

Yes, occasionally. Marlene may take scheduled vacation closures during the year. Parents are always notified well in advance — typically weeks or months ahead of time — so you have plenty of time to arrange alternative care. We understand how important predictability is for working families and we do our best to minimize disruptions.

Pickup must be by 5:00 PM. If you are running late, please call us as soon as possible. A late pickup fee applies for pickups after 5:00 PM. Details are outlined in your enrollment agreement.

Yes. As required by the State of Florida and the ELC, all children must have up-to-date immunization records on file prior to their first day of care. Please bring your child’s Florida Immunization Certificate (Form 680) at enrollment.