2023-24 School Year Handbook

Our Before & After School Program is offered from August to June for 180 days of care. School days and calendars vary by school district. For specific information regarding your child’s school, please check the school website and calendar.

WE HELP CHILDREN LEARN, GROW & THRIVE

The Before & After School program provides on-site care for your child beginning at 6:30 AM until school starts and when school is dismissed until 6:30 PM.

Participating children learn valuable social and scholastic skills in a safe, fun, and supervised environment.

The program offers a constructive balance of counselor led activities and free time for child explorations, including daily enrichment activities, presentation activities (music, theater, etc.) and literacy. In addition, children participate in outdoor physical activities and playground time. lastly, there is also supervised homework assistance and a nutritious afternoon snack.

Each after-school day will include science, engineering, arts & craft project centers, board games, Legos, reading and more.

Children are divided into age-appropriate groups for daily activities.

A $35.00 non-refundable registration fee per student is due at registration. All attending children must have a completed registration form including Emergency Contacts & Authorized Pick-up information. Parents/Guardians can register online via the school website. Families with previous unpaid balances will not be able to register until paid in full.

SAMPLE AFTERNOON SCHEDULE

3:00-3:30 PM	Attendance/Snacks/Announcements
3:30-4:00 PM	Homework/Story time
4:00-4:45 PM	Group Enrichment Activities: Computers, Arts & Crafts, Cooking, Dance, Music
4:45-5:15 PM	Outdoor Activity
5:15-6:00PM	Centers:  Science, Engineering, Art, Crafts, Dynamic Skills
6:00-6:30 PM	Clean-up/Dismissal

*Please Note: this is a sample of a typical day, not an ‘every day’ schedule. Events/Activities vary and are subject to change.

Snacks

We provide a healthy afternoon snack and juice. Our snacks are low-fat, low-sugar, and low-salt. Parents may pack a drink or alternative snack.  If your child has any food allergies, please inform the Before and After School Director at the school site. In this case, the parent/guardian will be responsible for providing a nutritious snack that suits the needs of your child.

Homework

The Program stresses the importance of homework time is set aside every day for the children to begin or complete homework assignments. Supplies such as pencils, erasers, glue sticks, lined paper, scissors are available for use. Staff members are available to supervise to assist the children with their work.  Because of the number of children who require assistance during homework time, the staff members are unable to confirm the accuracy of each child’s homework or provide the type of one-on-one homework help that is available from a private tutor.

Although we encourage the children to do their homework when it is assigned, using the time set aside to complete homework is the responsibility of the child. Please let us know if you prefer to have a child complete his or her homework at home. Children who do not wish to use homework time to complete their homework may use the time to read a book.

Centers

Children will be rotating into different daily centers that include activities in Science, Engineering, Art and Crafts.  Computer time, music & dance are among the rotating activities available for each group.

Calendar

Please refer to the school’s calendar for specific dates.

Before Care Full Time: monthly fee pre-payment is required.

• Monday- Friday starting at 6:30 AM until school starts.
• Students are sent to their classroom/homeroom directly.
• Deductions or refunds will not be given for days, weeks or months when a student may be absent from school. Vacations or sick days will not be deducted from the tuition cost.

After Care Full Time: monthly fee pre-payment is required.

• Monday- Friday starts as soon as school is dismissed until 6:30 PM.
• Deductions or refunds will not be given for days, weeks or months when a student may be absent from school. Vacations or sick days will not be deducted from the tuition cost.

Fall, Winter, Spring and Summer camps

• 8:00 AM- 5:30 PM (subject to change)
• An additional fee will apply. 
• Afternoon snacks are provided. Lunch and additional drinks and snacks must be sent for your child.
• A minimum number of 11 students must be enrolled (varies from site to site) to have a camp.
• Summer Camp requires separate registration and a non-refundable registration fee of $35.00 per student.
• The weekly camp fee is pre-paid.  Unpaid weekly balance will be subject to discontinuation of services.
• Cancelations within a 2-week notice will incur a cancelation fee of $50.
• All camp programs follow same policies and procedures as the Edventure Before & Aftercare Program.  
• Late pickup fees apply.

Late-pickup

A late fee of $1.00 per child per minute will be charged 1 minute after program closure. Consistent late pick-up more than three (3) times per year will result in the removal of your child from the program.

Emergency Care

Students not enrolled in aftercare and not picked up at regular school dismissal will be considered aftercare emergency care and will be charged a $18 fee.  Students dropped off during before care and prior to school start will be considered before care emergency dropoff and will be charged a $18 fee.   There is a limit of 3 emergency care services allowed for the school year. There is a limit of 3 emergency care services allowed for the school year.  After 3 emergency care services, your child will be automatically enrolled in aftercare which a monthly charge and registration fee will then be assessed.

Staff are unable to remain on site after camp closure for activity updates or consultations about children.

Staff

All staff members have been screened according to the school’s guidelines. All counselors are at least 18 years old. The Before and After School Directors are required to be at least 21 years of age, graduates of high school, associate degree or higher and have previous experience working in childcare. When hiring, we look for staff members who are responsible, driven, organized, creative, hardworking, and reliable.

Parent involvement

Parent feedback is encouraged. We encourage parents to schedule time with the Director to discuss your child’s progress and address any other concerns.

In addition to asking for certain behaviors from our students, we expect that each parent always conduct him or herself appropriately. This includes communications and interactions with the Director. Inappropriate language, conduct, or action toward any staff, child, or other parent will not be tolerated. Failure to abide by this policy will result in termination of services.

Communication

The Before and Aftercare program maintains an open-door policy. Please feel free to direct questions or concerns related to any facet of the program to discuss with the Director at any time.

Any questions regarding tuition, policies, staffing, activities, or a child’s participation in the Program may be directed to the Program Director. Voicemail is in place 24 hours a day and will record a message if no one is available to answer your call.

It is the responsibility of parents to inform the Director in writing regarding any changes to your child’s record. This information includes phone number, home/mailing address, and emergency and authorized pick-ups, billing information, and changes to other pertinent information.

Please note: Enrolling parent or designee are the only ones to make changes.   The Primary parent may check a box on the enrollment form to authorize the secondary parent to make changes on the account and enrollment. Any change in family custody status that impacts authorized parties for pick-up will require court documentation.

Children may not use the telephone except in case of an emergency. Please be sure your child understands your instructions about pick up and change of plans. Many times, the children participate in activities outdoors. We request your cooperation in not asking us to deliver a message except in an emergency. Children may not engage in personal cell phone use during before and after care hours. Please email the Director with any changes for pick up.

Sign in

• Before Care: Beginning at 6:30 am, registered before care students will be allowed to walk into the program building and sign into before care with the counselor without the assistance of a parent.
• After School: After the dismissal bell, all program participants will be signed in by their counselor. All children will be accounted for daily.

Sign Out

Before School Care: Children will be signed out by their counselor and dismissed to their classroom prior to the first bell.

After School:

• Parents or authorized pick-ups are required to sign their child out daily.
• Parents must walk into the school building and sign the child out at the computerized checkout point or use the system ‘s QR code sign out.
• IDs will be checked if the staff is not familiar with the adult.  
• Parents are not to pick up before 4:00 pm. 
• Children will only be released to authorized people who are listed on the child’s registration forms.   Authorized persons must present a photo ID for a child to be released from the program.
• A child will not be released to anyone who is not listed on the enrollment form or emergency card unless the Director is notified in writing by the parent or guardian that an additional person is picking up the child.  A copy of the parent driver license will be required attached to the email notification regarding the new adult for pick up. All authorized pick-ups must be an adult and present a valid ID to sign out a child.
• Children will not be allowed to leave the school to walk or ride their bike home.
• A charge will be incurred for late pick up of $1.00 per minute after school closing.

Absent students:

Deductions or refunds will not be given for days or weeks that a student may be absent from school. There is no charge for Before and After Care for school holidays.  

Authorized pickup and emergency contact

Only the people listed on a child’s registration form are considered authorized. Family members, if not listed, are not considered authorized to pick up a child. Verification by the Director or designee will be made before any child is released to a person not listed on the registration form.

Changes in dismissal

If there are any changes in the dismissal procedures for a child, the parent must notify the Before and After School Director in writing immediately. This will ensure the safety of the child.

Illness & Injury

• Small cuts and scrapes will be treated using standard first aid procedures. In cases of serious illness or injury, the Director will contact parents immediately. If the parent cannot be reached, the designated ‘emergency contact’ will be called. The school will contact EMT’s at any time necessary for the safety of a child, which may involve transportation to an emergency medical facility.
• Please keep sick children at home. Children with a fever of 100.4+, or those experiencing vomiting or diarrhea are not allowed to attend the Before and After School program.

Medication

• Counselors are not allowed to administer any type of medication to any student. All medication will be administered by the authorized, trained personnel. To administer any medication, a Medication Permission Form, signed by the doctor and parent, must be submitted with the medication to the school’s Main Office.
• The Before and Aftercare Program follow the same procedures stated in the Student Handbook found on the school website.

Bad weather

• If school should be closed or dismissed at an unscheduled time, we will follow district guidelines for all emergencies and/or closings published to the general public. If school is dismissed at an earlier time, parents MUST pick up their children.
• No reimbursement of tuition if early dismissal or school closure.

Sun Exposure

During the summertime, we try our best to schedule outdoor activities for only short periods of time as well as provide plenty of water breaks and time in the shade.  It is the responsibility of the parent to provide sunscreen that the child will be required to apply the sunscreen without assistance.  After Care staff will not assist in applying the sunscreen.

Winter Weather

During the cooler winter months, children will be playing outside, please make sure you send your child to school with a warm coat or jacket.

Personal Belongings

Jackets, backpacks, lunchboxes, and other items left at the end of the afternoon will be placed in the school Lost & Found. Parents are encouraged to check lost and found frequently. Children are asked not to bring personal items to the Before & After School Program. The Before & After School Staff is not responsible for items lost, broken, or stolen during program hours. These belongings include video games, cellphones, iPods, iPads, toys, money, jewelry, or any other item of high value.

Students are expected to behave in a respectful manner while under the responsibility of the After Care staff (this includes after school and camp activities, or any activity in which school staff members are responsible for the students). Parents and students are provided with a Student Handbook explaining student expectations and consequences for misbehavior. The handbook is revised each year and shared with families at the start of each school year for review and acknowledgement.

Disrespect to leaders, destruction of property or equipment, vandalism, use of profanity, or any other undesirable act will result in disciplinary action.  We expect all our students to be polite, courteous, and respectful. Serious or continued misbehavior may result in the student’s removal from the program.  For further information please refer to the Student Handbook on the school’s website.

Fees

Full-time services are offered only. No part-time services are offered. No discounts for days not attended.

Before and After Care fees are based on a full-time monthly rate. Fees must be paid in advance monthly.  Payment is due by the 25th day of the month prior to the last day of each month.  Fees must be paid via the Edventure Parent Portal.  There is no partial payment for partial use of services. Contact the Before and After School Director if unable to use either option. Service will be discontinued on the last day of the month if monthly fees are not paid.

Registration fee

• A non-refundable $35.00 per student registration fee is due for all program participants before starting.  Registration fees are due at the time of registration. Credit and/or Debit Cards can be used as forms of payment through the Parent Portal. The payment schedule is located on the schools Edventure website.
• Registration will be considered complete ONLY when the online Registration Form is completed online including three EMERGENCY CONTACTS and receipt of the registration fee that has been paid 24 hours prior to the starting date.  No paper registration forms are available. Families with previous unpaid balances will not be able to register and participate in the Edventure Before and Aftercare program.

Late Payment Fee

Payment is due prior to the month attending. Example: August monthly fee is due in July.  Payments not received by the 25^th day prior to the month enrolled a $25.00 late fee will occur and will be applied on the 26^TH day of the month.  If payment is not received by the last school day of the prior month, the child (ren) will be withdrawn from the program. In the event of continuous late payments, your child(ren) will be withdrawn from the program. In the case payment cannot be made, please contact the Edventure Before and After School Director ahead of time.  Balances must be paid in full.  Students with outstanding balances will result in inability to participate in school activities such as sports, field trips, dances, etc.  

Cancellation Policy

To withdraw a participant, an online cancelation form must be submitted two (2) weeks in advance of the effective date. The cancellation form can be found on the school website under “Edventure: Before and After School Program Information”. If a child (ren) is not in attendance for one month they will be automatically withdrawn until notification is received from the parent.

Program Changes

To make a program change, an online change form must be submitted two (2) weeks in advance of the effective date. The change form can be found on the school website under “Edventure: Before and After School Program Information”.

Non-sufficient payments & refunds

A $25.00 fee is charged for all non-sufficient funds and declined transactions. Child(ren) will not be allowed to attend the Before and After School Program unless payment has been received and corrected.

Late Pick-up

A late fee of $1.00 per child per minute will be charged 1 minute after program closure. Consistent late pick-up more than three (3) times per year will result in the removal of your child from the program.

Sibling Discount

There is a sibling discount of 10% off the tuition for the first sibling (2^nd child) and 15% off for the (3^rd child) and subsequent children from the same family. The first child pays full tuition and siblings will pay the discounted price.

Emergency Care

Students not enrolled in aftercare and not picked up at regular school dismissal will be considered aftercare emergency care and will be charged a $18 fee.   There is a limit of 3 emergency care services allowed for the school year.  After 3 emergency care services, your child will be automatically enrolled in aftercare which a monthly charge and registration fee will then be assessed.