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Kids Care of Iowa City
Parent Handbook
9/14/2016
Kids Care of Iowa City
Before and After School Program
Parent Handbook
2016-2017
School Year
Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION 3
GOALS 3
PARENT'S RIGHTS 3
PARENT'S RESPONSIBILITIES 3
CHILDREN'S RIGHTS 4
CHILDREN'S RESPONSIBILITIES 4
HOURS OF OPERATION 4
FEES AND PAYMENT POLICY 5
IN SERVICE AND VACATION DAYS…………………………...6
IRS STATEMENTS 6
ENROLLMENT FORMS 7
DISCONTINUATION OF SERVICE 7
ABSENCES 7
SCHEDULED & UNSCHEDULED DISMISSAL POLICIES 8
SCHOOL DELAYS AND CLOSINGS 8
RELEASE OF CHILDREN/NON-CENTER ACTIVITIES 9
HEALTH & SAFETY POLICY & PROCEDURES 9
SNACKS/NUTRITION POLICY 11
TRANSPORTATION POLICY...... 11
FIELD TRIP POLICY...... 11
DISCIPLINE AND DISCHARGE POLICY 12
GRIEVANCE PROCEDURES 13
COMMUNICATION 13
PARENT INVOLVEMENT 14
GENERAL INFORMATION 15
INTRODUCTION
Our Kids Care Program has been organized to provide a safe and friendly environment for children before and after school. This program is available to students in kindergarten through sixth grade. Transportation is provided to Hoover, Lucas, and Lemme Elementary Schools.
PROGRAM GOALS
The goals of this program are . . .
· To provide quality, affordable care in a caring and friendly setting that parents can rely upon throughout the school year.
· To provide an environment for children with a variety of activities which includes recreation and games, arts and crafts, reading, music, time to work on homework, and “free time” for children to pursue their own favorite interests.
PARENT'S RIGHTS
Parents have the right...
· To know their children are cared for in a safe, supportive environment and will be escorted to/from Lemme/Hoover/Lucas Schools as needed.
· To share concerns with the staff at any time, about anything they do not feel is in the best interest of the children.
· To observe the child care programs at any time.
· To be informed of any problems regarding their child and have the opportunity to discuss such problems with the Program Director.
· To be informed promptly if their child does not report to the program as intended.
· To be regularly informed by the staff about the program activities.
PARENT'S RESPONSIBILITIES
Parent’s responsibilities are . . .
· To notify staff if their child will not attend.
· To notify staff in writing or by phone when another person, other than those listed on the emergency contact form, is picking up the child.
· To pay fees on time.
· To sign their child in and out daily.
· To keep the child’s records up-to-date with changes in phone numbers, addresses, and emergency information.
· To pick up their children on time.
· To inform staff if child has been exposed to a contagious disease.
· To cooperate with program staff in any efforts to resolve problems with their child.
· To participate in and support child care programs.
· To inform the Director if your child has been removed from another BASP program for any reason. We strongly encourage you to discuss any prior dismissal to evaluate whether Kid’s Care is an appropriate fit for your child. The Director reserves the right to accept temporary enrollment in Kid’s Care on a probationary basis.
CHILDREN'S RIGHTS
Children have the right . . .
· To have a safe, caring and supervised environment where staff members care about them, enjoy being with them and help them to grow.
· To have their ideas and feelings respected.
· To have discipline that is fair, equal, and respectful of them.
CHILDREN'S RESPONSIBILITIES
Children need to be responsible . . .
· For learning to be responsible for their actions.
· For respecting the rules and guidelines of the program.
· For remaining with the group and child care staff at all times.
· For returning and caring for materials and equipment properly.
· For reporting to child care in the morning upon arrival and immediately after being dismissed from school.
· For caring for and respecting church property.
HOURS OF OPERATION
1. Morning (Before School Program) hours 7:00 a.m. to 7:55 a.m.
2. Afternoon (After School Program) hours 2:55 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. M, T, W, F and 1:55 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Thursdays.
3. The clock in the child care area will be official and will determine the parent’s arrival time. The center closes at exactly 5:30 p.m. daily. Late fees will start to accrue at 5:30 p.m., but parents will not be charged until 5:35. The charge is $1.00 per minute.
- For Example, 5:32--no charge
5:35--$5.00/child
5:40--$10.00/child
- Late fees are paid directly to the caregiver who must stay late.
- If your child is not picked up by 6:00 p.m., authorized persons on the pick-up permission form will be contacted.
*At the discretion of the director, child care services may be withdrawn if three overtime charges occur.
A responsible adult must escort your child into the center, sign the child in, and leave the child in the care of a staff member. When departing every child must be signed out and staff notified. Children in second grade or above may sign themselves in and/or out of the program with written permission from a parent or guardian.
FEES AND PAYMENT POLICY
Program fees are as follows:
**Kid’s Care only accepts direct withdrawal** for October thru May. Please pay by check for No School Days, for June, July and August- Summer Camp and September.
® $205.00 a month per child for before/after school child care.
The above fees reflect use of the program during its regular hours of operation irrespective of the actual number of days/hours your child attends. An additional fee will be charged per child for conference days and school vacation days. (See below--fees for in-service days and vacation days.)
1. Enrollment fees are non-refundable. The fee will automatically be taken out on the 5th of each month.
2. Tuition fees are due the first program day of each month for Summer months. If tuition is not paid by the third program day of the month, parents will be notified by the Program Director, in writing, and assessed a $5.00 per day late fee (e.g.. two days late=$10.00). of child care services until tuition and late fees are paid in full.
Non-sufficient fund checks are held until cash or money order is received by the program. Parents will pay a $20.00 service charge for a non-sufficient funds check. For No School and Summer camp fees.
Kids Care would like to remind everyone that this is a September-May commitment. The staff and budget are planned according to the number of children enrolled. An enrollment agreement needs to be signed by each family before starting.
IN-SERVICE AND SCHOOL VACATION DAYS
1. A flat fee of $45.00 will be charged per child for each in-service day or school vacation day your child attends, regardless of the hours spent in the program.
2. To reserve child care for in-service days and school vacation days, payment must be made one month in advance. This payment is non-refundable if you change your mind.
3. All parents are responsible to see that their child is appropriately registered in advance for conference days and holiday vacation days. Most days are limited to 15-20 children.
4. Parents are responsible for providing a sack lunch, unless otherwise notified.
5. On in-service and vacation days Kids Care is available to those who do not regularly attend the program, if there is space available. All enrollment forms must be completed.
· Late Sign-Up Policy:
o For the in-service and vacation days that Kids Care will be open: a sign-up will be sent out to the parents. A deadline will be set in which a payment and the sign-up will be due by. Failure to sign-up by the deadline will result in a late fee. If you do not sign up by the deadline we cannot guarantee you a spot.
· 2016-2017 No School Day’s – Kids Care will not be open every day that is listed below. As the no school days approach you will be notified whether or not Kids Care will be open.
o September 5th- Labor Day -closed
o October 7th
o October 10th
o November 16th- Parent-Teacher Conferences
o November 23-25th- Thanksgiving Break -closed 24th and 25th
o December 22nd-January 4th- Winter Break
o January 16th- MLK Day
o March 1st- Parent Teacher Conferences
o March 13th-17th- Spring Break
o April 21st-
o May 31st–Memorial Day-closed
IRS STATEMENT
The program does not provide an itemized statement for tax purposes. We suggest that you keep your receipts of your monthly checks as an accurate account of your child care expenses. We will provide you with our taxpayer identification number for the Child Care Expense Form.
ENROLLMENT FORMS
Forms required for enrollment are as follows:
1. Enrollment Agreement
2. Intake Sheet
3. Health Assessment Form
4. Certificate of Immunization
5. Parental Emergency Form with Medical/Dental Consent
6. Travel Authorization & Picture Release Form
7. Transportation Policy Form
The program expects the forms to be kept current. The parent must provide new information to the program staff regarding information on forms such as: emergency persons, names, employers, phone numbers, authorized pick-up names and address changes. If all of the child’s required enrollment forms are not completed and returned to the Program Director by the day the child is scheduled to start the program, the child will not be allowed to attend until these completed forms are submitted to the Program Director.
DISCONTINUATION OF SERVICE /
WITHDRAWAL FROM PROGRAM
Withdrawal from the program requires a written statement at least 30 days in advance of the last day. If withdrawal notice is given on day 1-15 of the month, tuition is due for the remainder of the month of withdrawal and is due for half of the next month. If withdrawal notice is given on day 16-the end of the month, tuition is due for the remainder of the month of withdrawal and the entirety of the following month. A $100 administrative fee per child also applies, due upon withdrawal notice. No withdrawal from the program is allowed after February 1st.
ABSENCES
It is important to notify the child care center of any absence.
1. All parents are responsible for paying for time reserved, not time used. Fees are not prorated for absences.
2. Absences - In event of illness, vacation, or other absences such as scouts, music scheduled attendance day, the child care center must be notified.
If a child does not arrive at the program as scheduled, the Program Director will contact the parents. If the parents cannot be reached, the Director will contact the child’s emergency persons.
SCHEDULED & UNSCHEDULED
DISMISSAL POLICIES
1. Scheduled Early Dismissal Days - Child care services are provided for scheduled early dismissal days i.e. Thursday early outs.
2. Unscheduled Early Dismissal Days - Child care services are not available when school is dismissed early because of cold weather conditions or a school building emergency. It is the parents’ responsibility to pick up their children from school. During hot weather conditions, will be open 3-5:30 p.m. but will be unable to transport from school to Kids Care.
3. Center Closings Due to Weather-
a. Winter Weather: There may be days when winter weather conditions may be present but school officials decide not to dismiss early. In the great majority of these situations, Kids Care will operate regularly. However, if there is ever a day when staff and/or Kids Care Board Members have reservations about the program transporting children, due to weather-related safety concerns, we reserve the right to decide to not provide transportation to Kids Care of Iowa City after school. All parents would be contacted in this situation, and all parents would have the option of bringing their child to Kids Care after school.
b. Hot Weather: During hot weather conditions, we will be open during our normally scheduled hours (3-5:30), but will be unable to transport to Kids Care. Kids Care cannot guarantee that we will be open between the unscheduled early dismissal times and normal hours due to staffing. You will be notified either way if we will be open prior to normal hours.
4. Power Outage-If there is a power outage in the building that will go on for an extended period of time, Kids Care will close. In this situation all parents will be notified and will need to pick up their children.
SCHOOL DELAYS & CLOSINGS
1. School Delays - If school is delayed, the Before and After School Program will not have its morning session. If school is later canceled or dismissed early, there would be no afternoon session of the Before and After School Program, and parents would need to pick up their child from school.
2. Unscheduled School Closings - If school is closed because of severe weather, or a building emergency, no child care services will be available. Major TV and radio stations will carry the announcement. Parents are responsible for knowing about these circumstances.
3. School Closings Due to Holiday and In-service Days - Child care is available on certain days for an additional fee. See page 7 - section on in-service and school vacation days for fees.
4. Holiday Closings - A calendar for each year will be distributed.
RELEASE OF CHILDREN/NON-CENTER ACTIVITIES
Children will be allowed to leave only with person(s) designated in writing by the parent. Children will be released as parents have directed on the consent form. Changes must be made in advance in writing.
Parents of any child participating in before and after school activities, such as scouts, chorus, band, enrichment classes etc., need to put in writing the name of the activity, the times, and where the child is to go at the completion of the activity. Caregivers will not expect a child to return to the child care program unless it has been stated in writing by the parent or guardian. If the child does return to the program following their activity, they must be signed in by the adult transporting them.
Children in second grade and above may sign themselves in to and/or out of the program with written parent permission. Please see the Director to make necessary arrangements.