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Extended Care Program

Introduction

Saint Ambrose Parish and School recognize the need of its families for a program of extended care for their children before and after regular school hours.  We offer to registered families in our parish elementary school such a program. 

The Extended Care Program at St. Ambrose offers before school care from 6:30 to 7:30 a.m. and after school care from dismissal until 6:00 p.m. on any day that regular school is in session.

This handbook is offered to parents to review the policies and procedures of the Extended Care Program.  Each family is asked to sign the contract page at the end of the handbook and return it to the program director.

Registration

A registration form must be completed and a non-refundable registration fee of $25.00 for one child or $35.00 for two or more children per family is required.

  Enrollment

Enrollment is available on a first-come, first-serve basis.  A waiting list will be maintained if necessary for available openings.  Parents must contact the Program Director to enroll their child(ren) and receive the necessary forms to be completed.  The following forms are required for each child being enrolled in the St. Ambrose Catholic School Extended Care Program:

1.      Registration Form

2.      Health/Medication Form

3.      Signature Card

4.      Contract page from the parent handbook

All forms identified above must be completed and returned within the first week of the child’s attendance in the St. Ambrose Catholic School Extended Care Program.  It is the responsibility of the parent to keep enrollment records current as to home and business phone numbers, pertinent medical information, and persons authorized to pick up the children.  Parents must notify the program director when a child will not be attending the program for an extended period of time.  

Payments

Weekly fees are due on Mondays.  Payments are due in the form of cash, check or money order made payable to Saint Ambrose.  (There is a $5.00 charge on any returned checks.)  A late fee of $5.00 per family will be assessed on Tuesday mornings.  If payment plus the late fee is not paid by the end of the week, the child will not be permitted to attend the program until that fee is paid.  Should a change in a parent’s schedule occur, notification must be given to the program director the Friday prior to the child’s attendance in the program.  Refunds or credits will not be given for days absent.

For tax purposes, payment receipts will be available every Friday for those who pay in cash.  A cancelled check is your receipt.  

Child Pick Up Procedures

It is required that parents or authorized persons (those on the signature card) sign the child out everyday.  A child will only be released to persons authorized by the parents in the child’s signature card.  Staff will ask for a photo ID until they become familiar with persons picking up your child.

In the event of a parent’s divorce or separation, we are required to release the child to either parent unless a court order states otherwise.  Parents in situations of divorce or separation must submit to the program director a copy of the court order, divorce decree or other legal documentation to prevent an unauthorized pickup by the non-custodial parent.  Documentation must be kept in the child’s file.  This information will be kept confidential.

If a child participates in another activity before or after school, the parent must provide written approval and state the date, time of arrival or departure to or from the program.  Forms will be available for your convenience.  For the safety and well being of the child, it is required that parents or authorized persons sign the child out everyday.

Late Pick Up Policy

Late fees will be assessed for children picked up after 6:00 p.m.  Fees are as follows:

(Times will be based on the school clock in the cafeteria.)

The following steps will be taken when a child is left at the program past closing time:

1. Emergency contacts on the child’s enrollment form will be called.

2. If an emergency contact has not been reached or the program has not been contacted by 6:30 p.m., the Police Department will be notified that the child has not been picked up, so they can assist in finding the parent.

3. A staff member will stay with the child at the program until the child is picked up.

4. If late pickup occurs three times, the program director will ask the parents to pick up the child from the program at 5:30 p.m. for a three-week period.

5. If the problem continues, the parent will be required to withdraw the child from the program.

School Closing Policy Due to Weather or Emergency

When Saint Ambrose Catholic School is closed due to inclement weather, the Extended Care Program will be cancelled as well.  If school remains open to the close of school, the Extended Care Program will operate as normal.

Refunds will not be given for two missed days per week due to school closing.  If school is closed three or more consecutive days, credit will be given for the third day.

Medication

Only prescription medication (no over-the-counter medication) will be administered.  When medication is to be given, the following procedures must be followed:

1. Parent must complete and sign a medication form and hand-deliver the medication to the Program Director.

2. Medicine must be in the original container with the prescription label clearly marked with the date, name of the drug, name of child, name of doctor, dosage to be given, and how it is to be administered.

3. Each time the medication is given to the child the program director or assigned staff members  will complete the information on the medication form.  When the child is no longer taking the medication, it will be returned to the parent and the medication form placed in the child’s file.  All medications will be stored out of the child’s reach.

Injury

If a child is injured during the extended care program, an accident report will be completed the same day, given to the parent to sign and a copy of the report will be kept in the child’s file.

Minor injuries will be treated as needed with washing, band-aids, ice packs, etc.  Parents will be given notification of the injury when a child is picked up from the program.

Major injuries will be evaluated by the program director and necessary steps will be taken to obtain the appropriate medical attention necessary.  This may include contacting parents or other authorized persons identified on the signature card, or transporting the child to the hospital via ambulance.

If 911 is called and the child is sent to the hospital, a staff member will accompany the child.  Parents will be called and notified of the situation. 

The extended care program does not provide separate insurance for your child.  This is the parent’s responsibility.

Parents who need to contact the Extended Care personnel may call the following numbers to do so:

SAINT AMBROSE EXTENDED CARE PROGRAM

HANDBOOK CONTRACT PAGE

My signature below verifies that I have received and understand the procedures and policies as explained in Parent Handbook.  I agree to abide by the policies set forth herein.

This page must be returned to the Program Director along with your child’s enrollment form, health/medication form, and signature card by the end of the first week of your child’s attendance in the Extended Care Program.