Extended Care Policies and Procedures

Objective

The Extended Care Program of St. Veronica Catholic School was established in January of 1986. It exists in order to provide high-quality, reasonably priced child care to school families in need of such service.

Philosophy

St. Veronica Catholic School's Extended Care Program is an actual extension of this school community, and it shares the same philosophy and similar policies.

We strive to provide a safe, enjoyable environment in a pleasant atmosphere of mutual respect for everyone in attendance. We stress careful supervision and friendly interaction. We offer a variety of activities for the children's choosing, in order to make the out-of-school hours here as homey as possible, within our limitations. In order to maintain such a program, specific rules of behavior are consistently enforced. Families are made aware of these upon enrollment, and the children are regularly reminded. In the rare event that a child cannot act accordingly and becomes disruptive, he/she will no longer be provided with our services. The parents/guardians must then find other child care arrangements.

Eligibility

Any child who is currently enrolled in St. Veronica Catholic School, from Kindergarten through Grade Eight, may also enroll in the Extended Care Program. However, it is not automatic. Parents must complete the necessary forms and have them on file with the Extended Care Program prior to a child's first day of child care. Such forms are available upon request from the school office.

Hours

The Extended Care Program opens at 6:45 a.m. and closes at 5:45 p.m. on all school days. In accordance with state regulations, our child care program may not operate during holidays, weekends, or vacation periods.

Mornings 6:45 a.m. - 8:00 a.m. (or until 9:05 for Late Birds) Afternoons from dismissal until 5:45 p.m.

Rates

Child care costs are not included in tuition payments or other school fees. A separate bill for child care services is sent monthly to each family enrolled in the Extended Care Program and is to be paid separately form school tuition or any other payments.

We offer several payment plans to meet a variety of child care situations. They are as follows:

Full-time Individual	Flat monthly fee for those who attend many hours per week (grades 1-8)
Full-time Family	Flat monthly fee with a discount for two or more children (grades 1-8)
Full-Time Individual (K)	Flat monthly rate only for kindergarteners who attend a maximum number of hours
Full-time Family (K)	Since their school day is shorter, Kindergarteners often attend the most child care hours. A special rate is offered for those whose grade 1-8 siblings attend regularly also.
Part-time/Occasional	Hour total per month for those who attend less frequently

Anyone enrolled at an hourly rate will not be charged more than an applicable full-time fee in cases where the hourly total exceeds that amount. Please get a Rate Schedule from the school office or the Extended Care Staff.

Staffing

The Extended Care Program of St. Veronica Catholic School employs approximately ten well-qualified members. Each works a regularly scheduled number of hours per week. We strive to maintain the recommended ratio of fifteen children per staff member and expand according to our ever increasing enrollment. All staff must meet the State of California safety and eligibility requirements for on-site school-age children care programs.

Schedule

• Before School
  Children can engage in quiet indoor activities (i.e., drawing, coloring, board games, puzzles, books, conversation, listening to music) prior to the school day. Some children bring a simple breakfast to eat during this time. Every child must be signed in by a parent (or other adult) upon arrival each morning.
• After School for Grades One through Eight
  Students do the following:
  Check in
  Snack (we provide a drink and snack foods once daily after school)
  Change clothes (optional)
  Homework Club
  Free Time (play indoor/outdoor games, arts and crafts, stories, group games, movies, etc.)
  Clean Up
• Kindergarten
  Kindergarteners do the following:
  Change clothes (strongly recommended)
  Lunch (brought from home)
  Indoor/Outdoor play time
  Story or Music
  Clean Up
  The kindergarteners join the older children when they are dismissed from school.

EVERY CHILD MUST BE SIGNED OUT BY A PARENT OR A GUARDIAN BEFORE LEAVING EACH DAY. CHILDREN CANNOT BE RELEASED TO ANYONE WITHOUT PRIOR PARENTAL PERMISSION.