Welcome to Methodist Children’s Center!
A note from Carl Frazier, Lead Pastor of First Cary
Welcome to the Methodist Children’s Center and to First Cary. We are pleased that you have chosen to allow us to partner with you in the care of your child. Ours is a rich tradition of child care at First Cary– a tradition that comes from the core belief that our Lord calls us to care for the children. We hope that you will feel welcomed, not only at MCC, but in our congregation and will allow us to serve you in other ways. We invite you to participate in the full life of our congregation and, if our staff may assist you, please do not hesitate to call on us. Again, welcome. Blessings of grace and peace to you and your family.
Carl Frazier, Lead Pastor
A note from Alicia Shelton, Family Ministry Associate for Children
Welcome to our preschool! We are thrilled to build a partnership with you during the early years of your child’s life. This handbook is designed to help families become familiar with the routines and procedures of Methodist Children’s Center. We welcome you to join in all the children’s activities that First Cary has to offer, even beyond the walls of the preschool. At the ROCK, (where we Reach, Out to Christ’s Kids!) which is what we call our Children’s Ministry programs at First Cary, we shepherd kids along the journey that will build a lifelong relationship with Jesus Christ. If I can ever help you in any way, or answer any questions about the other programs at the ROCK for your families, do not hesitative to stop by – my door is always open!
“Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.” –Proverbs
22:6
A note from Beth Lilliston, Coordinator of Methodist Children’s Center
“All your children shall be taught by the Lord, and great shall be the peace of your children” -Isaiah 54:13
Children are a gift from God and we look forward to getting to know your child. We invite you to become a part of our MCC Family as we prepare your child for the future while being nurtured in a Christian Environment. The following information is to inform you of the policies of MCC and to answer questions you may have regarding the Methodist Children’s Center. Please take some time to review the attached information and initial on the Registration form that you have read the Parent Policy Handbook. All registration documents must be turned in to the Coordinator prior to your child’s first day of school. Thank you for entrusting us with your children.
Contact Information
1
Family Ministry Associate for Children:
Alicia Shelton
Email:
Phone: (919) 467-0809 x285
MCC Coordinator:
Beth Lilliston
Email:
Phone: (919) 467-0809 x231
MCC Administrative Assistant:
Ashley Bertz
Email:
Phone: (919) 467-0809 x225
Address of Methodist Children’s Center
121 Waldo Street Cary, NC. 27511
Fax: (919) 481-4553
Tax ID#: 20-0142293
Website:
1
MISSION STATEMENT
- Methodist Children’s Center (MCC) seeks to provide children with a love of learning through a hands on Christian preschool experience that allow children’s individual gifts to flourish.
VALUES OF METHODIST CHILDREN’S CENTER
- Nurturing Environment: Our children feel accepted, successful and loved; by developing friendships, positive self-esteem, and independence.
- Christian-based Ministry: Our children and their families foster the compassion of Christ through community outreach and service projects done in a preschool setting.
- Love of Learning: Our children strengthen their minds through developmentally appropriate activities, and learn to share Christ’s love through their daily play and interactions.
STAFF
We believe that one of the keys to a successful preschool is a strong staff. Our staff has a love for teaching children in a Christian environment and is experienced in earlychildhood education. In addition, all staff are certified in CPR, First Aid and have undergone an extensive background check. We believe it is both a privilege and responsibility to care for and nurture your child. You can entrust your child with complete assurance to our strong team.
WHAT TO BRING TO MCC
MCC tote bags are provided for all children, the cost of which is included in the supply fee paid at the beginning of the year.
Clothing to be left at school – Each child is required to have a seasonal change of clothes at the Center. This includes shirt/pants/dress, underwear and socks. Please place these in a ziplock bag and label all clothing with first and last name as well as the outside of the ziplock bag. (Please bring the first day of school)
Make sure all necessary paperwork is turned into the MCC office prior to the first day of school. Children will not be allowed to attend school until all forms are completed and returned to the Coordinatorper NC licensing requirements (see Admission Requirements). All forms are located on our website at:
ENROLLMENT AND REGISTRATION:
Our preschool is open to all children regardless of race, nationality or creed who may benefit from our Christian program. Children must be the age of the class they are enrolling in by August 31st of the year in which they enroll except for Transitional Kindergarten.
Children enrolling in our Transitional Kindergarten program must be 5 years old by October 31st of the year in which they enroll.
Children who are enrolling in our 3year old program through Transitional Kindergarten must becompletelypotty trained prior to the start of the school year. No diapers or pull-ups are allowed. Children who enroll and prove not to be completely toilet trained will be withdrawn.
There is an annualregistration fee ($100.00)for the first child and ($75.00) for each additional sibling due upon enrollment at MCC. Plus, an annual supply fee ($35.00) per child due in August with the first tuition payment.
A September pre-payment is required for TK students inApril (check the website for specific dates). The April pre-payment only applies to TK students. All other classes will not have their pre-payment due until August.
Tuition payments can be paid with either cash, checks (made out to MCC) or using your online payment link ( Payments made online are automatically deducted from your checking account and will come out the 5th of each month. Recurring tuition payments for the 2018-2019 school year may be set up online after September 5,2018. We cannot accept credit cards as a form of tuition payment.
Registration fees and September pre-payments are not refundable.
Registration is for a specific class and any changes made after initial registration cannot be guaranteed. If your desired class is full, you may request your child to be placed on a waitlist.
Priority enrollment is as follows:
1)Current MCC Students
2)Siblings of Current MCC students
3)First Cary members in order of date of membership-(the parent of the child must be the member)
4)Members of the local community
*First Cary members always receive priority on the waiting list over members of the local community.
*Scholarships are offered on a need basis and will be reviewed by the Scholarship Committee to determine eligibility and the amount of the scholarship to be awarded. The amount available in our Scholarship Fund varies from year to year.
LOTTERY PROCESS
Occasionally the need to hold a lottery is necessary when we have more children enrolled than we have spaces available. This happens after we have registered our In-House students, but can sometimes happen with our In-House students.
If a lottery is necessary, you will be notified via email or phone within 2 days of the close of registration. It is your responsibility to check emails and messages during that time to ensure you are aware of the lottery date and time.
The lottery process is as follows; you sign in on the day of the lottery, find your child’s name on a slip of paper provided, fold it and place it in a basket. Names will be drawn. The names drawn are children that have secured a spot in the class. If a name is drawn and there is a sibling in the class, the sibling is automatically secured a spot. If two siblings(ie: twins) are the last two names in the basket, and there is only one space available, we will re-draw, since they can’t both be secured a spot. If the child’s name drawn has a sibling in another class that has an opening, that sibling will also be secured a spot.
In the event we need to have a TK lottery with In House families, students who have attended a four’s class will have priority over students coming in to TK from a three’s class. A lottery will then be held for the remaining 3’s students for open spots in TK and for spots on the wait list.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
MCC requires the following forms to be on file before the child may attend:
- MCC Registration Form
- Children’s Medical Report
- Child Immunization History
- NC Childcare Laws Forms (front & back of page)
- Emergency Contacts & Transportation Release
- Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma Policy
- Registration Deposit
CLASSES OFFERED
Age Days Time Lunch Cost
1 year(2 days) / Monday & Wednesday / 9:15-12:15 / No / $150
Tuesday & Thursday / 9:15-12:15 / No / $150
1 by August 31, 2018
2 years
(2 days) / Monday & Wednesday / 9:15-12:15 / No / $160
Tuesday & Thursday / 9:15-12:15 / No / $160
2 by August 31, 2018
3 years
(3 days) / Tuesday/ Wednesday/Thursday3hr / 9:15-12:15 / No / $195
3 years
(3 days) / Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday4hr / 9:15-1:15 / Bring Your Lunch / $235
3 by August 31, 2018
4 years
(4 days) / Monday – Thursday 4hr / 9:15-1:15 / Bring Your
Lunch / $265
4 by August 31, 2018
5 years
(TK)*
(5 days) / Monday – Friday
5 by October 31, 2018 / 8:45-1:15 / Bring Your
Lunch / $290
Children must meet the minimum age requirement by August 31st to be enrolled in the 1-4 year old classes and October 31st to be enrolled in the TK class.
*TK- Transitional Kindergarten-This class is primarily for children who need an extra year of preschool before entering kindergarten for social, emotional or academic growth.
SCHEDULED & UNSCHEDULED CLOSINGS
All school closings (except for unexpected weather closings) are listed on the school calendar which can be found on the MCC website. MCC follows the Wake County Traditional School Calendar.
The Center will be closed:
- Labor Day
- Wednesday, Thursday and Friday for Thanksgiving
- Christmas Break (approximately 10 days)
- Martin Luther King Holiday
- Good Friday
- Easter Monday
- Wake County Schools Spring Break
- Wake County Teacher Workdays & Holidays
INCLEMENT WEATHER POLICY
MCC follows the Wake County Public School System inclement weather guidelines. Please check WRAL-TV, wral.com or for current information.
If Wake County Schools… / MCC…Are Closed / Will Be Closed
Have a 1 hour delay / Will Start at the normal time
Have a 2 hour delay / Will Open 1 hour later
Have a 3 hour delay / Will Be Closed
If Wake County Schools should dismiss during the MCC preschool hours, please pick up your child immediately, prior to picking up your school age children.
No credit is given for days missed for inclement weather. MCC builds in 5 days for Wake County closings per class before making up missed days. After 5 days have been missed per class, the make-up days will be held the week after our last scheduled day of class. We will not make up days beyond May 31st.
The Coordinator will notify you as to which day(s) your class will make up during the month of April.
DROP OFF, ARRIVAL, PICK-UP
Children may not enter the classroom until the teachers open the door at their scheduled class start time. Parents must accompany their child to the classroom and it is important that your child arrive on time so that he/she may participate in all activities. Responsibility for children is that of the parents when class is not in session.
Please refrain from asking teachers if you may drop a child off early in the morning, this time is for our teachers to set-up classrooms and prepare materials for the day.
Please be respectful of MCC and First Caryproperty by not allowing children to play on the brick walls, pick the flowers, run in the hallways, or play on the playground without adult supervision before and after school hours.
CHANGE IN PERSON PICKING CHILD UP
Children will not be released to anyone other than a parent or other person(s) designated by the custodial parent(s) on the Emergency Contacts and Transportation Release form.
Certified custody orders must be provided to the Preschool Coordinator prior to enrollment. Any changes in custody orders must be provided to the Preschool Coordinator, specifying who is to drop-off and pick-up child(ren) each day. Photo ID’s are required of all individuals not known to Preschool staff. No child will be released to an individual not specified on this form by the custodial parent.
Any time someone other than those listed on the transportation release form is picking up a child, a note is needed with the name and phone numbers of the person authorized to pick up your child. This note must be given to the Coordinator. Please note, identification will be checked as well upon pick-up.
LATE PICK-UP
Please call the Center if you will be late so we can reassure your child. Children who are not picked up on time will be brought to the office to await their parent.
There is an overtime charge if your child is picked up later than his or her class dismissal time for preschool pick-up. The charge is $5.00 for any part of the first 5 minutes and then $1.00 per minute thereafter. The late pick-up fee will be added to your account and an invoice will be mailed to you.
ABSENT/LATE ARRIVAL
If your child will be absent or late, please inform the Administrative Assistant. When a class has a scheduled field trip, any child arriving after the group has departed must remain with the parent until the class returns.
PARKING
There is no parking in the loading zone. Cars left in the loading zone will be towed away at the owner’s expense. The parking spaces are reverse angle parking along the street and we have many spaces available across the street in our parking lot. Please be mindful of the posted speed limits, don’t drive up the street the wrong way and always look for children and families crossing Waldo Street. Safety is our top concern!
TUITION POLICIES
All fees are due and payable on the 1st of each month and must be paid in full by the 10TH of each month. Checks should be placed in the slot in the MCC Coordinator’s office door.
Note: Invoices are not mailed to families. It is your responsibility to pay your tuition by the 1st of each month.
Any payment received after the 10th is delinquent and a late fee of $25.00 will be charged to your account.
Please note that MCC makes deposits twice a month for tuition: The first deposit around the 12th and the second around the 30th.
In the event your check or automatic draft is returned for Non-Sufficient Funds, your account will be billed $25.00 to cover the bank cost.
Children may be dismissed by the Center if anyamount is past due. Please call the Coordinator if you are having difficulties, and an effort will be made to accommodate your situation; however, we must maintain financial stability and cannot extend credit for any length of time.
MCC reserves the right to increase tuition to maintain the quality of our program. We will give parents as much notice as possible should a tuition increase be required.
*Accounts must be current in order to register a child or sibling for our summer programs, after school programs, lunch bunch or the next school year.
Scholarships are available based on need and will be reviewed by the Scholarship Committee. Please visit our website and go to “Handbook and Forms” to print a copy of the Scholarship Application and to see the Scholarship Policy. Scholarship Funds available vary from year to year.
BANK TRANSFERS FOR TUITION PAYMENTS
Tuition payments can be made online using the payment link ( Payments made online are automatically deducted from your checking account and will come out the 5th of the month. Recurring tuition payments for the 2018-2019 school year may be set up online after September 5, 2018.
We cannot accept credit cards as a form of tuition payment.
WITHDRAWAL FROM MCC
One month written notice is required if you are planning to withdraw your child from the program. Payment for that month is required, whether or not your child attends during that month. Individuals forfeit their rights to May’s tuition if no notice is given upon withdrawal.
On rare occasions, a child may be withdrawn on the recommendation of the teacher and Director for the welfare of the child or the group. MCC reserves the right to exercise this option if necessary.
A child may be withdrawn fromthe program for nonpayment of tuition and fees or for failure to adhere to MCC policies. Any sibling registered at this time will forfeit the place if the older or younger sibling is withdrawn from MCC.