Question 1

WHAT ARE YOUR HOURS OF OPERATION?

Accepted Answer

Our program is open from 6:30am-6:00pm Monday through Friday. We are closed all major holidays and weekends.

Question 2

HOW DO I ENROLL MY CHILD AND IS THERE A WAITLIST?

Accepted Answer

The best way to secure enrollment for your child is to join our waitlist. You can join our waitlist by submitting a form on our contact page. When we have reached your family on the waitlist, we will make contact to set up an in-person tour and discuss enrollment.

We do generally have a waiting list for all age groups, although this can change at any time. We cannot measure the length of our waiting list, as we consider many factors when enrolling a child, such as age and schedule need.

Question 3

WHEN CAN WE TOUR?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Tour are scheduled Monday-Friday 9am-11am and 3:30pm-5pm.

Question 4

IS THE PROGRAM LICENSED AND QUALITY RATED?

Accepted Answer

Our program is licensed by the State of Indiana Family and Social Service Administration, and we are Paths to QUALITY Level 3. We have annual visits from our Licensing Consultant and the Quality Rating Team.

Question 5

DO YOU HAVE SECURITY IN PLACE TO KEEP MY CHILD SAFE?

Accepted Answer

We have many program practices that promote the safety of children in our program. Our program is secured by cameras and locked doors. We also have a strict policy and system in place for releasing children to safe, approved persons only.

Question 6

WHAT ARE YOUR TEACHER TO CHILD RATIOS?

Accepted Answer

The State of Indiana has strict ratios for Licensed Centers. Ratios are different in each classroom. The following is list of teacher to child ratios by room.
Infant's Rooms - 1:4
Toddler's Rooms - 1:5
Two's Rooms - 1:5
Transition Room - 1:7
Three's Rooms - 1:10
Four's Rooms - 1:12
School Age Room - 1:15

Question 7

DO YOU OFFER A SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM OR ACCEPT CHILD SUBSIDY?

Accepted Answer

Our program does not offer child scholarships. However, we do accept child subsidy sponsored by the state and employers.

To apply for CCDF subsidy or On My Way Pre-K: earlyedconnect.fssa.in.gov

Question 8

DOES THE PROGRAM EVER CLOSE AND DO YOU FOLLOW A YEAR-ROUND SCHEDULE?

Accepted Answer

We are a year-round program.

Our single day closures include New Year's Day, Presidents Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, one Friday in August and Labor Day. Our multi-day closures include the day before, of, and after Thanksgiving, and Christmas Eve and Day and the day after. At times, we may be required to close with significant notice for teacher development. We also close at 4pm on Halloween and New Year's Eve.

In addition to scheduled closures, we will close due to weather when Portage School Corporation closes; if a state of emergency has been declared; or if there is an immediate health or safety risk to the program.

We do not have late start days or delayed opening due to weather.

Question 9

HOW IS TUITION ASSESSED AND ARE THERE ANY ADDITIONAL FEES?

Accepted Answer

Tuition is assessed each year and is based on the annual cost of service per child. Tuition is then divided up into a weekly tuition that is due EVERY Friday by ACH for the following week of care.

In addition to tuition, families will pay a weekly supply fee installment of $3 per child. Tuition and supply fees cover the expense of all curriculum content and daily breakfast, lunch, and afternoon snack.

Please note that ALL private pay and subsidy families are required to pay supply fees. Supply fees work out to be $156 per child per year.

Question 10

WHAT FOOD WILL MY CHILD EAT? CAN YOU ACCOMMODATE THEIR DIETARY NEEDS?

Accepted Answer

Our menus align with the USDA's Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) guidelines and are reviewed by a nutritionist/dietician. You may view a sample menu and learn more about what our children eat on our nutrition page. We are an allergy-aware program, so food or drinks that contain nuts will not be served in the program.

If your child has special dietary needs related to religion or person preferences and/or allergies, we may modify the menu to meet the child's needs. Please communicate with the program director to develop a plan for your child. We are required to have documentation on file for all food modifications needed. Depending on the modification, a doctor's note may be required.

Question 11

WHAT SUPPLIES DO I NEED TO PROVIDE, AND CAN THEY BE STORED ONSITE?

Accepted Answer

Supplies differ for each age group. The following are some standard items needed: 3 full changes of clothing, sunscreen, and bug repellent.

Infants will also need: unopened diapers, unopened wipes, unopened A&D ointment (or other diaper rash cream), enough premade bottles for the entire day (formula or breastmilk), and 3 pacifiers if needed.

Toddlers will need: unopened diapers, unopened wipes, and unopened A&D ointment (or other diaper rash cream).

All items must be labeled with your child's full name before employees can accept them. We will store all the above child supplies onsite.

Diaper bags are not permitted onsite. A carrying car seat may be left onsite for children under 12 months of age. However, nothing may be left inside of the car seat.

Question 12

ARE BREASTFEEDING PARENTS ABLE TO NURSE ONSITE?

Accepted Answer

Yes! We are a breastfeeding friendly program. Our teachers are trained in providing in supporting the nursing needs of parents, as well as handling and feeding breastfed babies.

Question 13

DOES THE PROGRAM ALLOW CLOTH DIAPERS?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely! Families may send cloth diapers to be used in our program. We are restricted from cleaning out cloth diapers, so they must come with a wet bag for sanitary storage of used diapers.

Question 14

DO YOU OFFER DISCOUNTS FOR SIBLINGS OR WHEN WE ARE ON VACATION?

Accepted Answer

Our tuition rates are based on the cost of service per child, so we do not offer tuition discounts. We will hold enrollment for a child if their tuition is paid.

Question 15

WHAT INCLUSIVE AND CULTURAL PRACTICES DOES YOUR PROGRAM INCORPORATE?

Accepted Answer

Everyone is welcome in our program! We are inclusive in meeting the developmental needs of each child and respect the personal preferences and practices of each family. Our program is secular in its practices, so all celebrations are taught with a cultural approach.

Question 16

DO YOU HAVE A CURRICULUM?

Accepted Answer

We follow a written curriculum that consists of many components. All planning and practices align with Developmentally Appropriate Practice (DAP.) We believe that play is the foundational experience that promotes curiosity, problem-solving, and a natural love for learning.

We utilize Teaching Strategies Gold for assessmens and Creative Curriculum to plan and implement all intentional learning content and to assess children. Hands-on learning experiences and building life skills are the foundation of all children's work. We build on the curriculum as children advance through the program. Our unique pre-k program is registered with the State of Indiana and is qualified to serve On My Way Pre-K children. We focus on school-readiness.

Question 17

HOW DO WE STAY CONNECTED WITH THE PROGRAM AND OUR CHILD'S CLASS?

Accepted Answer

Our program uses the Procare Family app to connect with families daily. The app includes a messenger between families and teachers, our menu and calendar, and a log of daily activities such as diaper changes, feedings, and incident reports.

Question 18

IS THERE A FEE TO BE ON THE WAITLIST OR TO ENROLL?

Accepted Answer

There is not a fee to be on the waitlist at this time.

Question 19

WHAT DOCUMENTS ARE NEEDED BEFORE MY CHILD'S FIRST DAY?

Accepted Answer

All children will need the following before they can attend our program:
Completed enrollment packet (including physical, shot record, birth certificate) 
Copy of ID for party responsible for tuition costs
First weeks tuition

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