Grace United Methodist Church

WELCOME

 

            Welcome to Grace Child Development Center.  We at the Center recognize your need for reliable child care services and are endeavoring to meet your needs by providing loving, nurturing care for your children.  We would like to work as a team with you – sharing ideas and concerns about the growth and development of your child.

            In addition to child care for children 2 years old and potty trained through kindergarten-age, the Center provides valuable educational experiences and fosters growth and development in all aspects of children’s lives – social, intellectual, and physical.  Programs are provided that serve a wide range of developmental needs.  Children participate in activities designed to help them grow into independent, creative, confident, and thoughtful individuals who will be able to work effectively with adults and other children.

            Grace Child Development Center is operated by the Grace United Methodist Church.  It is licensed by the State of Oklahoma Department of Human Services, is a 2 Star Center and is a member of the Oklahoma State Child Care Association.  The policies governing the Center are determined by a committee representing both the Church and parents.

 

PROGRAM

 

            The program emphasizes age appropriate activities that will enhance physical, emotional, intellectual, and social development.  We strive to help each child develop a positive self-concept; therefore, the children’s creativity and individuality are encouraged and respected in each activity.

 

DAY CARE

 

            We are licensed by Oklahoma Department of Human Services to provide care for 75 children.  This is primary care for children of  working  parents.  We  accept  children  age  2  years and potty-trained through kindergarten.  Transportation to public preschool and  kindergarten is provided by Southwest Transit, both before and after school.  Hours are 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.  The ratios of children to care givers for each age group are:

                                    2 year olds           8:1               3 year olds       12:1

                                    4 year olds         15:1               5 year olds       15:1

                                    Kindergarten      20:1

 

DROP-INS

 

            We accept children for drop-in care on a space available basis for parents who are home with their children, but need occasional care.  Parents are asked to call on Monday to reserve a space for that week.  We are limited to a total of 75 children, so the number of drop-ins each day is determined by the number of regular day care children who are absent.  Drop-in rates are $3.50 per hour and $3.00 for lunch.  If a child is here 6 hours or more it is $21.00 for the day.

 

AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM

 

            We offer an after school program for those children who attend public preschool or kindergarten.  The rate is $60 per week and includes a snack and transportation to and from GraceDay School.   The rate per day when there is no school is $18 per day.

Our week runs Monday through Friday, 6:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m.  Payment for the week is due on Monday, or the first day of the week your child is in attendance.  If payment is not received by 5:30 pm on Wednesday, a $5.00 late charge will be added to the account.  After two weeks of non-payment and late charges, the child will not be accepted for child care until the account is paid in full.  If past due charges are not paid within thirty (30) days of original due date the account will be turned over for collection and parent will be responsible for any additional fees.

 

PARTIES

 

            Parties planned for Day Care will be posted in advance.  We celebrate birthdays with our children by singing, and each child is given a birthday certificate on his/her birthday.  We do celebrate birthday parties upon parent’s request.  We need to know two or three days in advance of your plans.  Please keep these parties simple.  You are welcome to come and stay for the party.  There are lots of fun non-sweet foods instead of cake and candies.  Some parents have been donating a book to the Center with their child’s name in it instead of bringing treats for each child.

 

NAPS

 

            The children lay down for rest and naps at 12:30 and wake up at 2:30.  Children who are here all day need to rest.  Children who are not asleep by 1:30 may get up for afternoon activities.  Mats, sheets and quilts are provided for each child.  The sheets and quilts are made by the ladies of the church.

 

FOOD

 

            A nourishing, balanced meal is served at noon; nourishing snacks are served at mid-morning and mid-afternoon.  We do not serve breakfast.  The weekly menu is posted on the entrance bulletin board.  Children should not bring food, candy or gum to the Center.

 

CLOTHES

            A child should be clean and dry each time he/she is brought to the Center.  Please bring plenty of underwear and a change of clothes including socks.  Put them in a bag with the child’s name on it.  They can be left here as each child has an individual storage box for his/her personal clothes.  Please put the child’s name on each article of clothing.  Coats, sweaters, hats, shoes, etc. must have the child’s name clearly labeled.  Please replace the clothing regularly as your child grows.  Clothing worn at school should allow for comfort and durability.  Children get dirty playing, painting, and enjoying their day.

 

HOLDING FEE

 

            A $25.00 holding fee is required to enroll a child in day care to hold a space.  This holding fee will be applied to the first week’s charges that the child is in day care.  This holding fee is non-refundable.

 

VACATION

 

            You will not be charged for vacation time provided that the Director knows in advance of the dates you will be gone; five working days notice in advance will be required.  Credit for vacation time will not exceed five (5) days per year, January 1 – December 31.  Vacation credit cannot be carried over from one year to the next.  Children who are enrolled only for the 3 summer months do not receive vacation credit as year around children do.

 

ENROLLMENT

 

RATES

 

DAY CARE

                 $90.00 week                2 year olds

                 $90.00 week                3, 4, 5 year olds                        Revised 2009

            This is a weekly fee, regardless of attendance.  Absence due to illness of two consecutive days or more must be certified in writing by a doctor to receive credit.  You will not be charged for the closed holidays.  You are not charged for vacation time provided you let the office know in writing 5 working days in advance of the dates you will be gone.

            Children enrolled in full time day care are given a discount per child on preschool tuition.  No discount is given for having more than one child in day care or preschool.

            Rules for acceptance and participation in program are the same for everyone without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, or handicap.

 

PAYMENT

 

            Our week runs Monday through Friday.  Payment for the week is due in advance on Monday or the first day of the week your child is in attendance.  If payment is not received by Wednesday at 5:30 p.m., a $5.00 per day late charge will be added to the account.   After two weeks of accruing late charges the child will not be accepted for child care until the account is paid in full.  If past due charges are not paid within thirty (30) days of original due date the account will be turned over for collection and parent will be responsible for any additional fees.

            A $10.00 service charge will be added to your account for each time a check is returned to us from the bank.  Also, you may be asked to pay your account in cash thereafter.

 

HOURS

 

            The Day Care Center is open from 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.   All children must be picked up by 5:30 p.m.  Late charges will begin at 5:30 p.m., being $1.00 per minute for the first 5 minutes.  Then beginning at 5:35 p.m., the charge will be $2.00 per minute, per child.  This late fee will be billed to the parent.

 

IMMUNIZATION

 

            In accordance with state law, parents shall be required upon admission of their child to a Day Care Center to submit to the Director:  a copy of the immunization record, a listing of special health needs, and the name of the child’s physician.  Required immunizations are:  DTP, Polio, MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella), HIB, Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B.  Please be sure to check with our office regarding the specific number of immunizations required by the State of Oklahoma for your child.

 

K+

 

            During the summer months, we have a program for children who have completed kindergarten and first grade.  This is an extremely active group.  These children go on field trips two to three times per week.  They pick a subject, go to the Library to research the subject, then spend a week doing activities, crafts, etc. to learn all about the subject.  Activities include studying different countries, Olympic game day, science experiments, cooking, and field trips.  Transportation for the field trips is provided by Southwest Transit.  Children who are enrolled for the summer program only do not receive vacation time credit.  Enrollment will be limited to full-time positions.

 

PRESCHOOL

 

            Preschool is an academic program taught by trained and qualified teachers to prepare 3 year old children for kindergarten.  The curriculum includes:  colors, shapes, numbers, letters, music, science, field trips, etc.  We also teach the Jolly Phonics program.  We try to expose these children to a broad range of activities and experiences.  The program follows the public school calendar.  This program is separate from the Day Care.  Parents have the option to decide if they want Preschool only, Day Care only, or both.

Three year olds attend Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m.  Children should not arrive more than 10 minutes before, or be picked up later than 10 minutes after the class schedule.  If there is a need for your child to arrive earlier or to stay later than the scheduled time, arrangements can be made through the office for the child to be taken care of in our Day Care program (if space is available), charging the parent on an hourly basis.

 

WITHDRAWAL OF ENROLLMENT OF PRESCHOOL

           

            $35.00 is due upon application for Preschool.  The $35.00 fee is applied as follows:  $15.00 for the one time supply fee and $20.00 toward your first month’s tuition.  If notification of withdrawal is received before August 1, you will be refunded the $20.00.

            Parents should let the Director know 30 days in advance of their intention of withdrawing their child from class.  If you find it necessary to withdraw your child after you have paid the month’s tuition, refund of tuition will be made at a weekly proration.  One day or more in attendance constitutes a week.

 

PRESCHOOL

 

3 Year Old

            $100.00 per month

            $90.00 per month if child is in full time Grace Day Care

3 days per week (Monday, Wednesday, and Friday)  8:30-11:30 a.m.              Revised 2007

            Rules for acceptance and participation in the program are the same for everyone without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, or handicap.

 

PRESCHOOL PAYMENT

 

            Tuition is payable in advance on the first school day of each month.  Payments may be made by mail or in person to the office.  No billings are sent to you.  Class charges are figured on a yearly basis and divided into nine equal payments.  A $5.00 late charge will be added if payment is later than the 10^th of the month. 

            Preschool does not receive a credit for vacation days or sick time.  There are no lower charges for the months of December or May, not a higher charge for the other months.  If your child must miss for an entire month, payment of 1/2 month’s tuition is expected in advance to hold his/her place in the class.  A $10.00 service charge to your account will be added for each time a check is returned to us from the bank.

 

FIELD TRIPS

 

            The classes regularly take field trips.  Due to state child care regulations, transportation will be provided by Southwest Transit.  Parents will pay the necessary fee of $1.50 per field trip.