St. Peter's Child Care Center
Horace Mann School Age (SACC) Program
Horace Mann Elementary
1215W. Clifton Blvd.
Lakewood, Ohio44107
216-403-1668
Welcome to St. Peter's Child Care Center Horace Mann SACC Program (SACC Program). This handbook contains important information regarding our Center. It is very important that you read this handbook and keep it handy as long as your child is enrolled in the program. It will answer many of the questions you have about the Center.
Philosophy and Goals
The SACC Program is a private, non-profit, licensed childcare center. The SACC Program is owned and operated by St. Peter’s Child Care Center, Inc. The unusually small size of the Center and SACC Program enables families and staff to develop a unique rapport. Personal communication is provided on an ongoing basis. Close relationships are established with each and every child. Smaller group sizes provide less stress for the very young child. This atmosphere allows for the combination of quality childcare and excellence in early childhood education.
St. Peter’s Child Care Center, Inc. is committed to providing each child with a loving, nurturing, and safe environment in which to grow. Our holistic approach helps the children to develop physically, socially, emotionally, and intellectually. Every child is recognized and valued as an individual. Staff constantly identify and respond to the changing needs of the children in order to encourage development of language and listening skills, large and small muscle coordination, cognitive awareness, creativity and positive self-concepts.
The SACC Program is a proud participant in Ohio’s Step-Up to Quality (SUTQ) program. SUTQ is a voluntary rating system for early care and education centers. Centers can earn a 1 to 5 star rating by meeting quality benchmarks prescribed by the State of Ohio. The Center currently holds a 5 star rating which means that your child is in a program that has demonstrated a level of quality that meets all requirements and standards for the first three rating levels and is eligible to gain additional points needed to achieve a higher star rating. Programs have the flexibility to earn points in the areas that best support their values, goals and structure. At minimum, the Administrative Team and most of the teaching staff have degrees in Early Care and Education. Our staff-child ratios are low and teachers plan intentional and purposeful activities and experiences that meet the needs, interest and abilities of the children. Our staff is required to attend at least an additional 20 hours of training biannually, and the staff are ensured paid trainings, paid time off, and a limited benefits package.
License
The SACC Program complies with and is licensed by the Ohio Department of Job & Family Services; Bureau of Child Care & Development. A copy of our license and inspection report is posted at the SACC Program. Parents and staff are welcome to review the laws and rules governing day care centers. Please speak with the Site Administrator if you have specific questions. On the following page of this handbook you will find an attachment about licensing and other valuable information.
CENTER PARENT INFORMATION
The center is licensed to operate legally by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. This license is posted in a noticeable place for review.
A toll-free telephone number is listed on the center’s license and may be used to report a suspected violation of the licensing law or administrative rules. The licensing rules governing childcare are available to review at the facility upon request.
The Administrators and each employee of the center is required, under Section 2151.421 of the Ohio Revised Code, ORC, to report their suspicions of child abuse or child neglect to the local public children’s services agency.
Any legal parent, custodian or guardian of a child enrolled in the center shall be permitted unlimited access to the facility during all hours of operation for the purpose of contacting their children, evaluating the care provided by the center or evaluating the premises. Upon entering the premises, the parent or guardian shall notify the Administrators of his/her presence.
The Administrator’s hours of availability and child/staff ratios are posted in a noticeable place in the
center for review.
The licensing record, including licensing inspection reports, complaint investigation reports for the current licensing period are posted in a conspicuous place in the facility for review.
The licensing record including compliance report forms, complaint investigation reports, and evaluation forms from the building and fire departments, are available for review upon request from the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services.
It is unlawful for the center to discriminate in the enrollment of children upon the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin, or disability in violation with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, 104 Stat. 32, 42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq.
For more information about child care licensing requirements as well as how to apply for child care assistance, Medicaid health screenings and early intervention services for your child, please visit
Admission
A child is considered enrolled in the SACC Program only after the Site Administrator confirms the availability of space in the Program, the registration fee has been received, and the required paperwork has been completed and reviewed by the Site Administrator. This includes basic enrollment and health information. Any change to this information must be communicated to the Site Administrator immediately so that current information is always on file. This is for the safety of your child. The Child Health and Enrollment form must be updated annually.
Hours and Days of Operation
The SACC Program is open Monday thru Friday 7:00 am- 8:45 am and 3:00 pm-6:00 pm. The SACC Program is closed on Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. Parents are required to pay regular tuition in order for staff to be paid for these legal holidays.
The SACC Program is also closed Good Friday, the Friday after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve (if a weekday). Parents are not required to pay for these days; tuition is adjusted when appropriate.
The SACC Program does offer all day care during legal holidays, and the winter and spring break. The fee for this service is $30.00 per day. Signs will be posted one month before these breaks so that you can sign your child up to receive care. If you sign your child up for these services and s/he does not attend, you will still be charged for the day(s). We will need a total of six children to be signed up for care on these days in order for us to offer care. The Site Administrator will inform all the families of any changes.
In the rare case of severe weather, every attempt will be made to open the Center for parents who must go to work. On mornings when weather is threatening, watch Channel 3 for “St. Peter’s Child Care” to be listed during their 5:00 AM news. Please keep in mind that the SACC Program will close if the Lakewood City Schools close, or if there is a Level 3 emergency. If your child will not be attending due to inclement weather, please notify the SACC Program as soon as possible.
It is very important that parents drop-off children NO EARLIER than 7:00 am and pick children up NO LATER than 6:00 pm. Repeated or habitual lateness will be cause for a child’s dismissal. In the case of arrival after 6:00 pm, a late charge shall be paid IMMEDIATELY and DIRECTLY to the teacher staying with the child.
Fees are as follows:6:01 - 6:15 = $15.00
6:16 - 6:30 = $25.00
After - 6:30 = $50.00
If a child is not picked up by 7:00pm and we are not able to reach a parent or guardian, we are legally obligated to call the police to report an abandoned child.
Staff/Child Ratios and Maximum Group Sizes
The SACC Program’s ratio enables the staff to provide excellent care to each and every child. Children are not accepted on a drop-in basis. The SACC Program will not exceed the following state required ratios:
School-Age (5 - 12 years)1:18
Because we desire to provide higher level of quality care and our participation in the Step Up to Quality Program, the SACC Program strives to maintain the following ratios:
School-Age (5 - 12 years)1:15
The SACC Program maximum group sizes are as follows:
School-Age (5 - 12 years)45
The number of children in one group that may be cared for at any time defines maximum group size.
Daily Schedules
The children’s daily schedule is flexible enough to provide adaptability when necessary but structured enough to provide predictability for the children. We want them to view their school as a safe and comforting place where they know what to expect and when to expect it. The classroom schedule is as follows:
SACC PROGRAM MORNING SCHEDULE
7:00-8:45Guided Free-Play/Breakfast
SACC PROGRAM AFTERNOON SCHEDULE
3:05-3:30Arrival from school/ Snack
3:30- 4:00Homework
4:00-5:00Gross Motor
5:00-6:00Guided Free Choice/Pick-up
Naptime and Resting
The SACC Program is not required to have a nap or rest time according to rule 5101:2-12-20. However, if a child requests to nap or rest, the SACC Program will provide a quiet space for the child. Evacuation routes will not be blocked by resting or napping children. Each child shall have a free and direct means of escape, and the provider shall have a clear path to each resting child.
Tuition/Fees and Payment Policies
A current tuition schedule is available at the beginning of each school year and included in the enrollment packet. Tuition is to be paid in advance. Payments are due at the beginning of each week on Monday. If payment is not received by Friday of the week of care an account will be considered delinquent. If tuition remains unpaid for a period of 10 business days, a $25 late charge will be added to your outstanding balance. We cannot allow any family to remain unpaid for more than three weeks. At the beginning of week four, we will NO LONGER be able to care for your child if you carry any unpaid balance. Your child(ren) will be allowed to return to the SACC Program when your balance has been brought current.
In the event of illness, full payment is expected, except for an extended illness that keeps a child out of the SACC Program for more than 5 consecutive weekdays. Half payment is required for extended illnesses to maintain a child’s space. A doctor’s note is also requested.
Payment is to be made by either cash, check, or money order. All checks or money orders must be made payable to St. Peter's Child Care. Payments should be handed directly to the Site Administrator.
VACATIONS – Because of our intimate size, the SACC Program is unable to offer vacation discounts. Tuition payments must be received every week in order to maintain each child’s space in the SACC Program.
HOLIDAYS – Parents are responsible for payment of tuition on all legal holidays when the holiday falls on a day that their child is regularly scheduled to attend the SACC Program.
REGISTRATION FEES – A one-time non-refundable registration fee of $50.00 is required prior to a child’s first day. A child is not considered enrolled until the registration fee is received.
SECURITY DEPOSITS – An amount that is equal to one week’s tuition will be due and payable prior to a child’s first day. This payment will be held as a Security Deposit. It may used as payment of a child’s last week of tuition providing the SACC Program receives a minimum two week written notice of the family’s intent to leave. If the SACC Program does not receive notice, in writing, of a parent’s intent to withdraw a child a minimum of two weeks prior to the child’s last day at the SACC Program, the SACC Program will not refund the security deposit. If your child is dismissed from the SACC Program the security deposit will not be refunded.
SUPPLY FEE – Due to the ever growing cost of consumable products, (paper towels, toilet paper, etc.) the SACC Program charges an annual supply fee of $40.00 per child. To make it easier on our families the SACC Program splits the fee into two installments of $20.00 due in March and October. This fee is charged for each child enrolled in the SACC Program and is non-refundable.
DELINQUENT ACCOUNTS/RETURNED CHECKS – Accounts delinquent for 10 business days will be assessed a $25 late fee. Accounts delinquent more than (a combined total) of 3 weeks will be subject to termination of child care services. A $25.00 fee will be charged for any returned checks due to insufficient funds. The parent will be required to pay by cash or money order until all account balances are settled.
Staff
The staff at St. Peter's Child Care is carefully chosen and trained. Teachers must have an understanding of the developmental stages of young children. They need to be knowledgeable about curriculum development and implementation while realizing learning is continuous and occurs in all interactions between the child and his environment. Respect for children, their feelings, and their membership to a multiplicity of groups is essential. Teachers also model effective social skills, set positive and consistent limits, and observe and meet individual needs.
ODJFS Required Training
Each staff member must complete an ODJFS prescribed orientation training within the first 30 days of hire and a one-hour child abuse overview within the first 30 days of hire unless they have completed the initial 6 hour Child Abuse and Prevention course and are current with their 3 hour refresher. All staff is trained in First Aid, Communicable Diseases, Child Abuse Recognition/Prevention, and CPR within their first 3 months of employment, and are refreshed every three years. CPR is updated biannually. Verification of such training is on file at the Center.
In addition to these health training requirements, staff members are required to complete a minimum of six clock hours of training annually. Training topics include those listed in appendix B to rule 5101:2-12-10.
Ongoing Professional Development Training
The SACC Program is rated under Ohio’s voluntary rating system; Step Up to Quality. Staff are required to complete 20 hours of Ohio approved training every two years, between July 1st and June 30th. Each employee is required to check the Professional Development Registry periodically to find appropriate Ohio approved trainings.
General Rules
Staff are prohibited from meeting outside of the SACC Program with children/families currently enrolled in any St. Peter’s programs. This includes babysitting, parties where their own child is not involved, or spending one-on-one time with any child/family currently enrolled at St. Peters Child Care Center or the SACC Program.
Supervision Policy
A major responsibility of the staff is to ensure the health and safety of each child entrusted in our care. Staff persons are alert to the safety needs of their children, anticipate possible hazards, and take necessary appropriate precautionary and preventative measures.
Arrival/Departure
Parents are required to bring their children into the SACC Program or Summer Camp Program and to sign the child in on the clipboard by the door. Any special messages, medications, special pick-up notes, etc. are to be given to the teacher. Children may not be dropped off at the entrance of thebuilding or be sent inside alone. Staff must be aware of each child’s presence before the parent departs. At the time of pick-up, parents are asked to make contact with their child’s supervising staff member to ensure that staff is aware that the child has been picked up. Parents are responsible for the supervision of their child before and after sign-in and sign-out. Children should always be with a parent or guardian while in the center. Please do not allow your child to run through the halls unsupervised before or after pick-up or drop-off.
For breastfeeding mothers, there is an area on the stage where you may sit to feed your child if needed. There is also a private area in Room 009 available for use. Please let the Site Administrator know if you would like to use this room for breastfeeding.
Supervision of School Age Children
School Age children may run errands inside the building or use the restroom or engage in activities which pose no physical risk to their safety alone or in groups of no more than six children without adult supervision as long as the following conditions are met:
Children are within hearing distance of a staff member, without use of electronic equipment
A staff member checks on the children regularly until they return, (every 5 minutes for children K-3rd grade; and every 10 minutes for children 4th grade and higher) and
The Center has exclusive use of the child care space being used by the children.
Children Arriving to the Center from Other Programs
At times it may be necessary for a child to arrive at the SACC Program from another program (i.e. book club, tutoring etc.). If a child is scheduled to arrive and does not, we will first contact the parent to confirm that the child is scheduled to be at the SACC Program that day and the program that they are to have arrived from. We will then consult with the parent to determine further action. For this reason, it is very important that parents contact the center when their child is not going to be attending!