Lower Alloways Creek Latchkey Pr

What: A flexible program, in a supervised environment that will allow children to play, socialize, make decisions, and work on homework, as well as participate in more structured activities according to their ages and interests.

Tuition: Tuition is paid by the 25^th of the proceeding month with your family calendar. (see due dates)

We are currently only offering Afternoon sessions at this time. See reverse side for payment options.

Emergent Drop-In: We will accept students on an emergent basis. Payment must be received at the time of pick-up and will be charged the hourly rate.

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Please complete and return this form to hold a place for your child/children. Kindly enclose a registration fee of $25.00 (per family) made payable to the Lower Alloways Creek Board of Education.

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Family Plan: 1^st child at full rate and 20% off each additional kid. (i.e. Schedule 1 Monthly Rate for family of 3 - $80.00 + $64.00 + $64.00 = $208.00 a month.

Emergency Drop-in Rate: Daily Rates apply for all Emergency Drop-Ins, and payment must be submitted at time of pick-up.

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*A calendar must accompany your payment. We will not assume that since your child usually comes everyday that this is always the case.

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Person(s) authorized to pick up your child(ren). Any changes in this list must be received from you in writing. Note: These will be used for emergency numbers, any additions please place on the reverse side.

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PROCEDURES

To help us provide a quality program, operational procedures and regulations have been developed. The welfare of our children, staff and parents depend on the cooperation of all participants in adhering to the following procedures. Please review them carefully.

ENROLLMENT

All children enrolled in Pre-K through 8^th grade in the Lower Alloways Creek School system are eligible to participate in Latchkey. Children will be enrolled from September through the end of the school year in June. Children may be enrolled in the afternoon from 3:15PM to 6:00PM. Extended day service will be available on scheduled half day sessions from 1:00PM to 6:00PM.

Latchkey will not be available on the days the school is closed for holidays, vacations or inclement weather.

EMERGENCY CLOSING

If the school day has begun and a school closing is called due to weather conditions, the Program Coordinator or Assistant will call you at work. It is very important for your child to know exactly what to do in case there is an early closing. It is important for the Program Coordinator to know where your child is to go and who is approved to pick up your child. This is part of the emergency information form and must be kept up-to-date.

ARRIVALS AND DEPARTURES

PM Departures - The Program will be available until 6:00 PM. All children must be picked up by 6:00 PM. A parent or designated person must come into the site for the child and sign him/her out. No children will be allowed to go outside and wait for their parent to pick them up. If the children are on the playground, please announce to the child care worker that you are here. Do not just call your child off of the playground. In order to provide the best care for your child(ren), we must know where they are at all times.

PICK-UP AUTHORIZATION

Your Emergency Information Form provides space for you to list those people who are authorized to pick up your child after school. Your child will not be released unless a note has been received in advance indicating that you authorize who may pick up your child. These procedures are for the protection of your child and will be adhered to strictly.

TRANSPORTATION

Parents are responsible for pick up of their child prior to 6:00PM.

If a child is to ride the bus home or a special occasion, notice must be given in writing to the Program Coordinator and the teacher so that appropriate bus arrangements can be made.

LATENESS

If a parent is going to be late, please call school, and inform staff of any change in pick-up time. If there is no answer, possibly due to students being outside or in the gym, please leave a message. If you find that you will not be able to pick up your child by 6:00 PM, call the person designated for emergency pick up, giving them ample time to arrive at the site by 6:00 PM. If no one arrives by 6:00 PM, our staff will call the emergency pick up person to come and get your child. Late pick-ups put an unfair burden on the staff worker who has other obligations.

LATE PICK-UP CHARGES

1. We allow a 10 minute grace period in picking up your child. For those with Schedule 1 and 3 pick up, anytime past this grace period will be charged to you at the end of the month, calculated to the next ½ hour interval, at a rate of $3.50/hour.

2. If a child has not been picked up by 6:10 PM, the parent will automatically be charged a late pick-up fee of $5.00. Abuse of this policy may lead to the child’s removal from the program.

TUITION AND PAYMENTS

The families that paid tuition the previous school year are not required to pay the registration fee for the next school year. The tuition fee for a new family is $25.00. The program is self-supporting and must cover all salaries and expenses for the operational period.

By filling out the registration form this will ensure your child a reserved place in our program. A non-refundable $25.00 registration is required, if applicable. Tuition is paid when you submit your monthly scheduling calendar for your child’s attendance. The chart included in this booklet contains the fee schedule for the afternoon plans available. Returning calendars to the Coordinator by the due date is necessary in order to complete the sign-in sheets and staff calendars on time. If calendars and payments are not returned by the due date a $10.00 late fee will be charged.

Payment due dates are necessary in order to stay within our budget. There is a 5-day grace period for payments, which have been billed, but if payment is not made by the end of the grace period, a late charge of $10.00 will be assessed. If no payment has been made by the 30^th of the month, we will contact the responsible party as to the discontinuation of the child in the program until the outstanding balance is paid. Return your calendar with payment made out to the Lower Alloways Creek Board of Education. You can make payments in person to the Coordinator at the site, or mail payments to the school, Attn: Latchkey After School Program. In cases of families with separation or divorce, the custodial parent will be responsible for payments.

Fees: 2009 – 2010 Monthly Payment Options

Plan 1

Plan 2

Daily Rates

Monthly Rates

Schedule 1

(Pick up by 5:00 pm)

$5.00

$80.00

Schedule 2

(Pick up by 6:00 pm)

$7.00

$130.00

Schedule 3

(9 days during month - Pickup by 5:00)

N/A

$40.00

Schedule 4

(9 days during month - Pickup by 6:00)

N/A

$65.00

Family Plan: 1^st child at full rate and 20% off each additional kid. (i.e. Schedule 1 Monthly Rate for family of 3 - $80.00 + $64.00 + $64.00 = $208.00 a month.

Overtime: Will be billed at $3.50/hour

Half Day Dismissal Rate: $3.50/hour (if you’re not full time)

Emergency Drop-in Rate: Daily Rates apply for all Emergency Drop Ins, and payment must be submitted at time of pickup.

Plan 1: You do not use the program EVERYDAY. You turn in your monthly calendar and payment indicating the day/days that you need care, and they equal less than 10 days a month. You use the S1 or S2 daily rates for payment. Overtime and half days are $3.50/hour. These rates can be calculated to the half hour.

Plan 2: Full time users may choose a reduced fee which is calculated at an average 18 days per month for the entire school year (18 x 10 months = 180 days). No additional charge for half days. Turn in the monthly calendar and payment with the schedule that you will be using S1 or S2.

Plan 2: Part time users may choose a reduced fee which is calculated at an average of 9 days per month for the entire school year (9 x 10 months = 90 days). No additional charge for half days. Turn in the monthly calendar and payment with the schedule that you will be using S3 or S4. If you use more than 9 days in a given month you will be charged the hourly rate for the extra days. Please make sure to pick the correct plan when you submit your calendar and payment for the month.

You may ONLY switch your plans during the school year one time!

ABSENCES/AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES

If your child is registered as a regular participant in the program, you will be responsible for payment, for the hours you signed your child up for regardless of special after school activities. These activities tend to be sporadic and it would be difficult for us to schedule our staff around your child’s schedule. For example, if your child participates in homework center until 4:30 and then comes to the program until you arrive, we still have to pay staff to be there so the program is properly staffed when your child arrives. This rule also applies for days your child is absent from school. If we are expecting your child that day then we have scheduled staff accordingly, and consequently have to pay them. Day care centers operate in this same manner.

THE PROGRAM

Parent input is an important factor in planning our program. Your daily contact with the staff as you pick up our child gives both you and the staff and the staff an opportunity to share any concerns about your child, or to comment on something great your child did. Your comments and suggestions for program improvement are always welcome through a telephone call or a note. Please remember that compliments are always nice as well. Working together we will continue to develop a quality program for your child!

A DAY IN OUR PROGRAM

The Program will begin by greeting and sharing the events of the day with each other and their child care provider. The children will have allotted time to do their homework and a snack will be provided. The remaining time will be filled with activities like free play, crafts, outside play, quite time or a movie. If you would like to send a DVD/video with your child, please make sure it is well marked with the child’s name. We will only show G and PG rated movies. Parents must given permission for their child (ren) to view a PG rated movie or the child (ren) will not be able to view the movie.

OUTSIDE PLAY WILL BE A PART OF EVERY DAY THAT THE WEATHER PERMITS. PLEASE DRESS YOUR CHILD ACCORDINGLY. We would suggest that a hat and gloves be kept in your child’s backpack during the colder months. The staff will determine whether or not your child is dressed warm enough to go outside during the winter months.

HOMEWORK

At the end of the school day, children need to unwind from the classroom atmosphere. If you would like to have your child do their homework please be sure to check the space provided on the Emergency Information Form. The Staff will provide appropriate workspace and will assist the students with directions as needed. It is the responsibility of the student to be neat and accurate.

*PLEASE NOTE – Although your child may have completed their homework, it is the parent’s responsibility to check the homework before the child returns to school the next day.

SNACKS

A variety of snacks will be provided each day. Apple juice, tea, water or milk is usually the drinks that are provided; however there may drink substitutions. PLEASE LET US KNOW IF YOUR CHILD IS ALLERGIC TO ANYTHING!!

DISCIPLINE

We encourage an environment where children develop respect for and cooperation with others in the program. We strive to create an awareness of the impact of each individual’s behavior as it affects their own and the group’s best interests.

Expectations for behavior will be established at the beginning of the school year. Staff will meet with the children and discuss these expectations. If a child behaves inappropriately, he/she will review the expectations with one of the staff. If necessary, consequences for inappropriate behavior (i.e., phone call home, time out, etc.) may be imposed.

Please review the following list of Behavior Expectations with your child.

1. Respect others.

2. Listen to and follow the directions given by all program staff.

3. Remain in the designated program areas.

4. Clean up after finishing an activity.

5. Keep hands and feet to oneself.

6. Keep voices at a normal level.

In the event that a child continuously displays inappropriate behavior, the following procedures will be followed:

*Conference between child care provider and parent (and child, if appropriate).

*Conference with child care provider, parent and Director and/or Coordinator.

*Referral to School Assistanat Principal or designee.

*Decision regarding child’s ability to remain within the structure of the program.

STAFF

The child care provider is the most important element in a successful after school program. These individuals create the warm, caring environment and work on a day-to-day basis with your child after school hours.

The child care provider/student ration is approximately 1/10. Staff members and Program Coordinator will have regular staff meetings to plan programs and activities for the children.

Our primary concern is the welfare of your child (ren). The site is maintained by the school district according to the state rules and regulations. We establish a safe, secure environment and take all safety precautions, including continual review of safety rules with the children. First aid kits are always nearby.

If your child becomes ill during the program, a parent will be called and advised whether it is necessary to come and pick up the child. If the parent can not be reached, the physician listed on the registration form will be contacted for further instructions. In the case of a medical emergency, the local ambulance squad will be contacted. BE SURE that your medical records and phone number are always up-to-date with us, as inaccurate numbers can delay treatment for your child.

MEDICATIONS: In New Jersey Public Schools, according to state law, medication can only be given to a student by a certified school nurse (or substitute nurse) or the child’s parent or legal guardian. Therefore, the staff may not dispense medication of any type. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact the school nurse during the school year or the administration.

The program is developed by child care providers and children with the guidance of the Program Coordinator and the Program Committee, and is designated to be appropriate for the age level and interests of that group. The program will include at least the following basis elements:

· A warm greeting for each child by the child care provider, with time to talk over the day’s events or highlights.

· Activities emphasizing creativity, individuality, choice and decision making, gross and fine motor skills.

This Program is developed and administered by an Advisory Council. The Program has been approved by the Lower Alloways Creek School Board. The Advisory Council consists of:

The Advisory Council will meet quarterly to share any activities and concerns. Parent representatives will be contacted with meeting dates. The Advisory Council invites any other interested parents to attend as well. The meeting date, time and location will be displayed on the PTO bulletin board and near the sign out sheets. If you are unable to attend, but would like to share a concern, please feel free to contact anyone on the Advisory Council.

This is your program and your involvement will help in continue to grow and develop. Here’s how you can get involved in the program without dedicating a lot of time. We know you don’t have a lot of that!

Take a few minutes to talk with the staff at the end of the day. Let them know if something bothers you about the program and also if you are pleased with what has been going on. If something special is happening with your child, let the staff know. It will help them to help your child.

Share a hobby, collection or special talent with a group of children. Fifteen or twenty minutes of your time could open up new horizons for some children.

Occasionally, we will request special items that can be found around the house. You can be involved when you send it these requested items and help the staff carry out their activities.

With your support we can have a great year! Please don’t hesitate to ask the Coordinator any questions.