Philosophy |
Buchanan Community Schools are committed to establishing a before and after school care program to meet the needs of families and elementary school children within the district. It is our belief that elementary-age children should not regularly be without adult care and that children have the right to a safe environment, free from the fear of both physical and emotional harm. We also believe that we can support working parents/guardians by providing safe, affordable programs staffed by nurturing, competent, responsible people.
The program should foster the development of the total child, the social, emotional, physical and intellectual selves. This program should provide an interactive environment. Various and challenging enrichment opportunities should be available, where curiosity and exploration are supported by adults who are neither dominatinig or interfering. The atmosphere should be relaxed and unhurried with age appropriate materials for all children. |
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The KIDKARE Program for Buchanan Community Schools will provide care for children in kindergarten through fifth grade, both before and after school. The program will run from 6:30 a.m. until the beginning of school, and after school until 6:00 p.m. There will be many opportunities for physical activities, self-expression through arts and crafts, and socialization with peers. These activities will be appropriately varied and challenging for the school-age child. Self-selection and self-initiation will be encouraged as well as responsibility and reliability. |
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Any child in grades K-5 (ages 4 years and 9 months to age 12) is eligible for admission to the KIDKARE program. Enrollments are limited and children will be placed in a first come, first served manner. If the program is filled, a waiting list will be maintained for the current school year. A child will be dropped from the KIDKARE program if fees are unpaid or consistently in arrears.
Application and enrollment is done through the KIDKARE office located at Moccasin School. A completed application form signed by a parent or guardian, and an annual fee of $20.00 per family, must be submitted before a child can be considered for enrollment.
If it becomes necessary to withdraw a child from the KIDKARE program, the KIDKARE coordinator must be notified, in writing, two weeks prior to the last day of attendance. A final statement will then be issued summarizing total fees up to an including the final two weeks of attendance.
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Parents of morning participants MUST accompany their child into the KIDKARE room EACH DAY to sign the child in for the morning session.
Parents of afternoon participants MUST accompany their child out of the KIDKARE room EACH DAY and sign the child out of the afternoon session. The child MUST tell his/her supervisor that he/she is leaving.
The KIDKARE staff WILL NOT, under any circumstances, release a child to an individual who is not named by the parents, in writing, on the Child Information Card.
If a child will not be attending a scheduled care session, the parent/guardian MUST phone the KIDKARE office at 269-695-8437.
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Children in the morning sessions may bring breakfast, or they may take advantage of the school breakfast program. A daily snack will be provided in the afternoon session. Snacks will consist of low sugar foods (fruit, peanut butter, crackers, vegetables, cheese) and fruit juice or milk. Children with food allergies or children wishing more snack may bring a fruit-type snack from home. |
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All children enrolled in KIDKARE must provide immunization forms prior to participating in the program. A form must be signed by the parents stating that their child's immunization forms are on file with the school nurse and KIDKARE. This form will be given to parents when they register. |
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Children who are injured or ill will be turned over to the parent/guardian's care as soon as possible.If an injury occurs that requires medical attention, the parent/guardian will be contacted immediately, followed by a call to the emergency services.
In case of illness, the child will be isolated and the parent/guardian contacted to pick up the child as soon as possible.
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Written directions from a physician will have to be provided for any medications to be given to a child by the KIDKARE supervisor. The directions will have to be dated and include the child's name, the name of the medication, and the dosage and the signature of the child's parent/guardian. No over-the-counter medication will be given by the staff unless medication forms are filled out and the parent has given the first dose. |
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Management and guidance strategies appropriate to the skills and interest of elementary children will be used in the KIDKARE program. Verbal, physical, and emotional punishment will be prohibited, i.e. spanking, bribing, shaming or threatening. Discipline will be positive, firm and consistent, in order to foster the development of self-esteem, and a spirit of cooperation within the children. If intervention is necessary to prevent a child from harming him/herself or others, a staff member will problem solve with the child helping him/her to choose a more pro-social behavior.
If a child has a pattern of negative behavior, the KIDKARE supervisor will ask to meet with the child's parent/guardian to inform them and to enlist their help in working towards a more successful relationship with the child. If disruptive behavior continues, the child may be asked to leave the program. All options and suggestions will be tried before we remove a child from KIDKARE.
Damaging Property
Vandalism and disregard for KIDKARE/KIDKAMP property will not be tolerated. Violations could result in suspension or expulsion.
Refusing to Accept Discipline
The staff may use informal discipline to prevent the student from being removed from the center. When a child refuses to accept the usual discipline for an infraction, the refusal can result in a sterner action such as suspension or expulsion.
Displays of Affection
Children demonstrating affection between each other is personal and not meant for public display. This include touching, petting, or any other contact that may be considered sexual in nature. Such behavior may result in suspension form KIDKARE/KIDKAMP.
Harassment
Harassment is prohibited, and will not be tolerated.
Bullying
Intimidation of others will not be accepted.
Profanity
Any behavior or language which in the judgement of the staff is considered to be obscene, disrespectful, vulgar, profane and/or violates community held standards of good taste will be subject to disciplinary action.
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REGISTRATION: All enrollees in the KIDKARE program will be required to pay a non-refundable ANNUAL enrollment fee of $20.00 per family in advance. All forms must be completed before your child is considered registered.
PER SESSION RATE: Fees will be charged on a the basis of enrollment not attendance. (no refunds)
Fee Structure
The charge will be one flat rate. It will be $6.50 for a.m. (6:30 a.m. until school begins) and 6.50 for p.m. (3:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.)
*Second child discount of 25%
Late pick up fees will be assessed after 6:00 p.m. as follows:
6:00 - 6:15 p.m.$5.00
6:15 - 6:30 p.m.$5.00 + $10.00 = $15.00
6:30 - 6:45 p.m.$15.00 + $1.00 per minute after 6:30 p.m.
Payments are due MONDAY prior to actual use of the program. Payments received after Monday will be charged a late fee of $3.00 per day. Checks or money orders are to be payable to BUCHANAN COMMUNITY SCHOOLS. |
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Children should be dressed appropriately for outdoor play. Whenever possible, children will go outdoors in the afternoon. Be sure all clothing, toys, etc. are labeled with your child's name. |
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Children should be brought in and picked up at Moccasin at the North door next to the visitors parking lot. Please do not leave your vehicle running while you sign in or out. Shuttle bus service will be provided to all schools. |
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A parent/guardian will be required to complete a Child Information Card that contains contact phone numbers and authorization to seek emergency medical care. These forms, along with emergency medical numbers, i.e. ambulance service, poison control, police, will be available by the phone.
If a child, who is scheduled to be in KIDKARE on a given day does not arrive from his/her classroom, the KIDKARE staff will contact the parent/guardian and/or any emergency numbers provided on the Child Information Card until the staff is certain that the child is in someone's care.
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There will be procedures for both a fire or a tornado emergency available, near the sign-in sheet. Should an emergency arise, the supervisor should be responsible for taking the sign-in sheet as the children and other memebers evacuate the center following the plan established for each elementary building. Attendance will be taken as the children reach safety of a pre-designated area. |
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The KIDKARE program will operate following the Buchanan Elementary School calendar. The morning program will begin at 6:30 a.m. and the afternoon program will end at 6:00 p.m.
When there is an official public notice over the radio stations advising that school is closed due to weather or other emergency conditions, the program WILL NOT be open. The center will also remain CLOSED when school is regularly scheduled to be closed. On half days we will only be open in the morning.
KID KARE WILL BE CLOSED DURING WINTER BREAK AND SPRING BREAK
6:00 a.m. -
7:30 a.m. |
signing in |
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welcoming children to the Center |
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participating in quiet, low-key individual or small group activities (reading, art, manipulatives, board games, eating breakfast from home, etc. |
7:30 a.m. -
8:00 a.m. |
gathering for group activity planned by the staff (playground time, games, art centers, gym time, special activities, etc. |
8:00 a.m. -
8:40 a.m. |
choosing additional individual or small group activities (library, gym, playground, homework, etc.) |
8:40 a.m. -
8:50 a.m. |
cleaning up and storing equipment and materials (KIDKARE uses shared space) |
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3:30 p.m. -
4:00 p.m. |
gathering in Center as a group (attendance) |
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eating a nutritional snack (juice or milk with crackers, fruit, vegetables, etc. |
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sharing time with peers and staff |
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presenting afternoon choices |
4:00 p.m. -
5:30 p.m. |
selecting enrichment activities (constructive and dramatic play, exploration of nature, science, arts and crafts, physical education, computers, reading, homework, playground, large and small group games, etc. |
5:30 p.m. -
6:00 p.m. |
cleaning and straightening Center |
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signing out |
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At the beginning of each week, parents will commit their child to a regular weekly schedule. Fees are charged on the basis of enrollment, not attendance. Short weeks due to school conferences and holiday breaks will be prorated. All fees should be paid at the beginning of the week. Fees will not be refundable. There will be a charge of $20.00 for any check returned due to insufficient funds.
This program will qualify for Child Care Credit on Federal Income tax returns. See the Coordinator for the tax I.D. number and your yearly receipt at the end of the year.
Families participating in this program may be able to obtain financial support from the Family Idependence Agency, previously known as the Department of Social Services. The Coordinator will be able to give you the phone number to call for additional information.
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