OVERVIEW OF THE LATCHKEY PROGRAM
The West Shore School District Latchkey Program is privately contracted with NESACCP, Inc. NESACCP, Inc. is a non-profit area agency that operates child care programs for the WestShoreSchool District's elementary schools. NESACCP's parent company, NCCC, Inc., operates three licensed childcare centers in the Central Pennsylvania area. This program is starting its 20th year in the district. Each latchkey program is licensed with the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare.
LATCHKEY PHILOSOPHY
Our goal at the latchkey programs is to keep you children safe and happy. A variety of activities are encouraged. A sampling of possible activities are as follows:
1. board games, cards
2. jump rope
3. indoor type ball activities, jump rope
4. crafts
5. coloring and drawing
6. assistance with homework
7. reading
8. assorted blocks
9. group games..Simon says, Red light-Green light
10. outside playground activities-eg. dodgeball, kickball
Some children like to sit with their peers and interact in that manner. Some children enjoy more self-play. We strive to make the program enjoyable for all the children in grades kindergarten through the fifth grade.
LATCHKEY SUPERVISORS
In addition to meeting NESACCP’s stringent regulations, latchkey supervisors must meet the Department of Public Welfare's regulations. They are trained in first aid, fire safety, and have child clearances through the state police and the Dept. of Public Welfare. Latchkey supervisors have a yearly physical, and a TB test every two years. Latchkey supervisors have had at least two years experience working with children. We have a wide variety of people employed as latchkey supervisors. Latchkey supervisors must complete six hours of continuing education each year, unless they are currently in college.
ENROLLMENT
There is a registration fee of $50.00 for enrollment into the latchkey program. This is non-refundable. The majority of the time, NCCC, Inc is able to accommodate new enrollments. However there are times when additional staff needs to be hired before we can accept more clients. Prospective clients will be placed on a waiting list, and notified as soon as an opening becomes available. This does not apply to returning students who pay a reenrollment fee in May of every year. If that is not paid the fee is $55.00
CHANGE OR WITHDRAWAL FROM PROGRAM
Please call the business office at 774-3923 to change existing sessions, or when concluding latchkey services. NCCC, Inc appreciates clients notifying the latchkey supervisors at the programs of any changes that clients are making, but it is important that the business office be notified not only for billing reasons, but more importantly, NCCC, Inc has the responsibility of notifying the child’s school to be certain each and every child is accounted for. Safety of the children is vital to everyone.
PROGRAM HOURS
The latchkey program runs morning sessions from6:30 a.m. until the start of school. Afternoon sessions run from 3:35 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. Exceptions to normal hours of operation are days that school is not in session, Act 80 days, snow delays, inclement weather closings, and early dismissals ordered by the district. Please do not expect latchkey staff to give you access before or after programs hours.
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DISCIPLINARY POLICY
It is expected that at all times children will behave in a fashion that is identical to the behavior standards set by the WestShoreSchool District. Children who do not follow the program's standards may be dismissed. If your child should deliberately deface any property while attending the program it will be the parent’s responsibility to pay for such damage. Your child could be dismissed from the program for any of the following reasons:
1. physical or verbal aggression, threats, or intimidation
2. swearing or use of vulgar and inappropriate language
3. destruction of public or personal property
4. continued disrespect or disobedience
5. disregard for the school district's policies on weapons, tobacco, alcohol etc.
(Ref.W.S.S.D.ParentsHandbookSchool board policies 218.1, 222 and 227)
6. Aggressive or threatening behavior toward any staff, or children
It is a crime in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to possess a weapon on school district property. Possession of a weapon at school-sponsored activities also presents serious legal, safety, and welfare problems. West Shore School Board defines weapons as "not only limited to knives cutting instruments, firearms, guns, but any instruments or implements capable of inflicting injury."
NCCC will review disciplinary infractions on an individual basis. In some instances NCCC will need to follow the WestShoreSchool District's policies, such as in the handling of weapons, tobacco and alcohol. The seriousness of verbal threats made towards other people or institutions must be clearly understood. Please speak with your children about making verbal or physical threats of this nature. Violent behavior could result in three or more days of suspension or total dismissal from the latchkey program. Some of the options that NCCC may use to discipline children are:
1. discussion of the behavior, to redirect the behavior in an appropriate manner
2. brief time away from normal activities or a specific activity (5 - 15 minutes)
3. time away from normal activities or a specific activity for a day
4. Children in grades 3-5 may be requested to write a paragraph to explain their
inappropriate behavior.
5. in program detention
6. a suspension of 1-10 days
7. permanent dismissal from the program
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We encourage parents and caregivers to discuss appropriate behavior with their children. If you have a concern about anything at your child's latchkey program, please discuss this with your individual latchkey supervisors. If you feel there needs to be more assistance, please don't hesitate to call the latchkey office at 774-3923. Our objective is for all of your children to have a positive experience in the latchkey program.
INAPPROPRIATE ITEMS
Toys that have a violent nature or that are weapon like are to be kept at home. An example of this would be a GI Joe Doll rifle. Pokemon cards are to be kept at home as well. Please supervise what items your child is bringing to school. Any item that may be considered a weapon or an item that is not permitted at school, will be reported to the school. Norris Child Care Consultants, Inc latchkey programs will also reinforce items that the school district considers inappropriate.
MEDICATIONS
Latchkey programs are held in the schools themselves. We do not have a place to store medications when we are not on site. If a child must have a medication because of asthma or allergic reactions to bug bites or stings, we need our own medication for our program. The school nurses or someone who has access to the nurse’s office may not be there after 3:45 for us to get the medication that they have. We will also need a written plan from the doctor when this medication is to be given. A medication log must be filled out with the date left blank until the medicine is used. If a child is required to take a controlled medication such as Ritalin or Adderall we prefer that the medication be given during school times. For example a child can take their medication at 7:00a.m.11:00a.m., and 3:00 p.m.. This would have the last two doses being given when the school nurse is on the premises. If there is a need for this type of medication to be given while your child is in our program, you must provide us with a locked box and key so that we may store it in our storage area. The medication must be signed up for on a daily basis and the medicine must be in the original container and clearly labeled. No medication will be given to a child unless it is signed on the medication log and clearly labeled.
SNACKS
A snack and drink are provided for students in the p.m. program. Students in the a.m. program are invited to bring in a disposable breakfast or snack if the parent or caregiver feels it is appropriate for the child. It is requested that all latchkey children not bring candy into the a.m. program. NCCC, Inc does not consider candy as an appropriate breakfast item. Exceptions to this rule will be parties and holiday functions. Parents/Guardians, please monitor what foods are being brought to latchkey program.
TUITION
Tuition is due, in advance either monthly or yearly. Payment schedules are included with your handbook. Payments may be mailed to Box P, New Cumberland, 17070 or dropped off at our business office at 210 Bridge Street, New Cumberland.
LATE TUITION PAYMENTS
Payments received past the first day of any given month may be assessed a $25.00 late charge. Latchkey services will be terminated for your child the following week if payment has not been received. A $25.00 late charge will be added on for each week that NCCC does not receive owed monies and late fees assessed to your account. If, NCCC terminates services due to untimely latchkey tuition payments, it will cost you $30.00 to re-enroll your child into the latchkey program.
RETURNED CHECKS
Checks returned by the bank for insufficient funds or any other reason will cost a client $30.00. Clients need to make payment arrangements as soon as they are notified of a returned check, in order that their child remain in the latchkey program.
LATE PICKUPS
By terms of our lease agreement, we must be out of the school district buildings by 6:00 p.m. We understand that situations do arise in which a late pick up is unavoidable. If this is the case, please call the office at 774-3923, or attempt to call the individual school to let the latchkey supervisor know you will be unable to pick up your child before the closing of the program. We view each case on an individual basis, but in any case the late fee will be left up to the discretion of the NCCC Administrators. You will be assessed a late fee for pick up past 6:00 p.m.
ACT 80 DAYS
We will, for an additional fee, provide a full-day latchkey program on days that there is no school due to teacher in-service days and teacher conference days. There will be enrollment forms at each latchkey program if there is going to be a full day program offered. Please call the office (774-3923) if you have any questions about full day programs. The school district will let us know prior to the beginning of the school year where we are to hold our full day programs. The location of the full-day program will be spelled out on the sign up sheet for that Act80 day
VACATION DAYS
On some school vacation days full-day latchkey services are provided. You will receive notification if NCCC is able to provide services. Some of holidays that we donot conduct latchkey programs would be Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Good Friday, Memorial Day, and Christmas Vacation.
EARLY DISMISSAL
In the event of an early dismissal due to weather, or any other circumstance for a school closing, the latchkey program will operate for a minimum of two hours. Latchkey programs will be conducted as long as the weather or any other unforeseen conditions have not, in the eyes of NCCC, Inc Administration reached a dangerous level.
On any day that there might be an early dismissal due to weather, send in a disposable lunch for your child. If you do not have a lunch, we will provide one for your child at the cost of $2.50 per lunch.
SCHOOL DELAY/CLOSING
In the event of a weather delay NCCC, Inc will attempt to operate the latchkey program at the regular program hours. For example, if there is a two hour delay, you may bring your child in at your normal time, and he or she will stay at the latchkey program until 10:35 a.m. instead of the normal 8:35 a.m. There will be an extra charge of $4.00 for those children coming before 7:30 a.m. and $2.00 for those coming before 8:30 a.m. We expect payment at the time of services.
If the school district makes the decision to close the schools, latchkey staff will attempt to contact parents/guardians to pick children up. We will remain open a minimum of two hours to ensure parents have the time to make arrangements to have their child picked up. Parents are asked to listen to the local radio station to keep updated on closings. No child will ever be left unattended. An adult will remain with your child until an authorized adult picks him up.
Latchkey programs follow the WestShoreSchool District for closings. If school is closed for the day, there are no latchkey services.
SIGNING IN, SIGNING OUT POLICY
Your child must be physically signed in and signed out each and everyday that your child uses the latchkey program. The parent or an emergency contact person must sign the child in or out. There are no exceptions to this policy. We like to have face to face contact with the parents or care givers to share any information that needs to be exchanged, as well as the safety concern, that your children are released to the appropriate adults.
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If another adult is going to be signing your child out from the latchkey program, other than the people listed on the emergency contact form, the adult who signed the agreement for services form must send in a note. The note needs to be dated, and state the name of the person who is authorized to sign the child out from the program. A note needs to be sent in for each instance of this occurrence. A parent or care given may add or change names to the emergency contact form when ever necessary.
Once children are admitted to the program, they will not be permitted to leave in order to
go to their individual classrooms until the start of school. Under no circumstances are the children permitted to return to their classrooms at the end of the school day,. This is in accordance with the security policy requirements that the WestShoreSchool District has established.
FORMS
All forms must be filled out completely. Every line must be filled out completely. If something does not apply, then write N/A. The state requires complete addresses. You should not write same as above. You need to completely write out each and every line. Use signatures where required. A health assessment must be completed by your doctor with in 45 calendar days of admittance to the program each year. After the 45-day deadline, your child will not be permitted to attend the latchkey program until the medical form is completed, and returned to the latchkey office. We are under state regulations to have a current health assessment on file for each child in our programs. This is for the welfare of all of our children in the latchkey programs.
All children in the latchkey program must have a NEW PHYSICAL on their 5th 6th, 8th, 10th and 11th birthday. Parents/guardians need make a doctor’s appointment to have a new physical to remain in the latchkey program when those particular birthdays occur.All children enrolling into the latchkey program MUST have the most current physical on file at the latchkey office.
We are required by the Department of Public Welfare to update the emergency contact forms every six months. Please be understanding of the value of completely filling out this form twice during the school year. It assures you and Norris Child Care Consultants, Inc of having the most current information on your child.
RECEIPTSFOR PAYMENT
We will provide monthly receipts for those clients desiring so. You may email orsend a letter of request, or note on the memo portion of your check to remind the office staff to mail or fax you a receipt. Please include your address or fax number. You may also request a receipt for payment at the latchkey program. Latchkey supervisors may issue a receipt to clients at the program as long as they are given the tuition payment at the time of the request.
TAX STATEMENTS
For income tax purposes, if you know the amount you have paid, the only other information you will need, would be the Federal Identification Number and the NCCC, Inc address. If you would like a statement of monies paid to NCCC, Inc. for tax purposes, please call the latchkey office to request a statement. The office number is 774-3923.
Norris Child Care Consultants, Inc
P. O. Box P
New Cumberland, Pa.17070
EIN#25-1864773
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You may email Norris Child Care Conultants, Inc. at: concerning tuition and policy questions. As always please feel free to email NCCC with your comments and or concerns
LATCHKEY SCHOOL LOCATIONS
HighlandElementary School
HillsideElementary School
LowerAllenElementary School
Rossmoyne children attend the Lower Allen program
WashingtonHeights
Fishing Creek Elementary
Mt.ZionElementary School
Fairview children attend theMt.Zion program
NewberryElementary School
RedMillElementary School
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SUBSIDIZED CHILD CARE
There are agencies that provide subsidized childcare funding. In Cumberland county contact Child Care Network at 1-800-358-8725, or in YorkCounty, contact Child Care Consultants at 1-800-864-4925.
PART-DAY PROGRAM
Best Friends Day Care in New Cumberland offers a half-day program and latchkey services from HillsideElementary School and HighlandElementary School. This includes transportation to the facility. The weekly rate is $135.00.
BEST FRIENDS CHILD CARE CENTER LOCATIONS
Best Friends Day Care Best Friends Day Care
New CumberlandCenter ColonialParkCenter
206 Bridge Street 5290 Jonestown Road
New Cumberland, Pa. 17070 Harrisburg, Pa. 17112
774-3319 Fax: 774-3031 671-8500 Fax: 671-8973
BestFriendsInfantCenter
210 Bridge Street
New Cumberland, Pa 17070
774-3181
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