St. Bernard’s Day Care operates as an extension of the school program. Eligibility is limited to those pupils currently enrolled in the school. It is ultimately under the direction of the school administrator and the St. Bernard’s Board of Education. A certified director will make the daily decision as to relevant programming while promoting the health, safety and welfare of the children.
FEES
A yearly registration fee, per family, will be charged to all who make use of the Day Care Program. This fee is due at registration.
There is a one hour minimum attendance per child per day. After the first hour you will be billed in half hour increments.
- Regular Attendance (any child who is scheduled to attend a minimum of one day per week)
- Full Day Attendance (after 8 hours)
- Drop In ( child who is registered but attending less than 3 days per week)
The Day Care Director should be notified at least one day ahead for drop in unless it’s an emergency.
PAYMENT
- Families will be billed by the second week of the month.
- Due date for payment will be the last week day of the month.
- If payment is not received by the due date a $10.00 late fee will be added to your bill.
- If payment is not received by the 15th of the next month, enrollment in Day Care will be suspended until bill is paid in full.
- Bills may be paid in cash or by check made out to St. Bernard’s Daycare.
- Please be aware that there is a $20.00 service charge on checks returned due to insufficient funds.
- Receipts will be given upon request. We suggest that you keep track of your child care hours. If you should have any questions about your fees, please feel free to contact the office.
- The Day Care facility is a non-profit organization. Our intentions are not to make money, but to provide a quality service to the parents of St. Bernard’s School. Any proceeds from the service will be used to improve the facility.
- Any child who is picked up after 6 p.m. will be charged a late fee of $1.00 per minute per child.
PROCEDURES FOR ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE
When you bring your child/ren to the center in the morning, you MUST sign him/her in. Failure to sign in will mean that time will be estimated, which could result in additional fees. A sign-in book is on the desk just inside the door. We are not responsible for a child unless s/he is signed in. When your child/ren come(s) to the center after school, s/he will sign in with the director immediately following the 3:00 p.m. school bell. You or another authorized person will need to sign the child/ren out when they leave the center. Your enrollment form lists any person(s) authorized to pick up your child/ren at the center. We cannot be responsible for any child before s/he is signed in or after s/he is signed out. Your child/ren must be picked up from the center no later than 5:30 p.m. Parents and students must use the West Main Street door at all times.
The coordinator and Kindergarten or Preschool teacher must be notified of any changes in a child’s schedule.
SCHEDULING
If you indicate your child/ren will be attending Day Care you are responsible for fees even if your child/ren does not attend that day. This includes school days, full days off of school and early release days. Days may be switched or added as space permits, with notification to the center.
LUNCH POLICY
Hot lunch is available on full school days for Kindergarten and Preschool students. (Hot lunch includes milk.) Milk (used to supplement a sack lunch) may be purchased. Each student has their own lunch/milk account number, which must be used when making deposits into their account. Checks should be made out to St. Bernard’s Hot Lunch. If staff plans to make lunch at the center on a full non-school day, you will be notified in advance and asked to pay a nominal fee. Your child(ren) may bring a sack lunch on that day if s/he does not like what is on the menu.
MEALS AND SNACKS
Participants may bring in their breakfast. Nutritional snacks are offered daily at 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. The snack will consist of food from one of the following groups: milk, fruits and vegetables, cereals or grains, or proteins such as peanut butter or cheese. Sugared treats will be given periodically. Juice or milk after school will be provided.
On full days of attendance when school is not in session, the children need to bring a sack lunch. Milk will be available at cost.
REST TIME
All children in attendance under the age of 5 will participate in “rest time” after lunch. We do not insist that children sleep. After the children have rested, they are allowed to play quietly until the 1 hour rest time is finished. Each child will bring a blanket or sleeping bag to be kept in their back pack before and after rest time.
PROTECTING GOD’S CHILDREN
It is the policy of the Diocese of Madison and St. Bernard’s Parish, that any employees or volunteers interacting with children be trained in the “Protecting God’s Children” Program. A policy handbook must be read and signed and a background check will be conducted.
CHILD ABUSE
Wisconsin State Statute 48.981 requires certain people to report cases of suspected child abuse or neglect. Among those people mentioned in the law are nurses, school teachers, social workers and administrators. We will comply with the reporting procedures as contained in Section 48.981 of the law.
SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN
St. Bernard’s does not have the resources nor personnel to meet the exceptional needs of all students. The school works closely with the Watertown Unified School District in the identification of special needs children. Programming decisions will be made after consultation with parent, teacher and special education services.
INSURANCE
St. Bernard’s Day Care carries liability insurance. This insurance does not include medical coverage for injuries resulting from normal supervised activities. We strive to provide a safe environment for your child(ren) and feel that this type of insurance provides adequate protection and helps maintain low tuition costs.
FIRE AND TORNADO PROCEDURES
Exits are clearly marked and children will have regular drills during center hours. The boy’s locker room will be used in case of tornado.
NON-DISCRIMINATION
Every Catholic School in the Madison Diocese respects the dignity of each person and therefore will not bar admission to any child because of race, nationality, sex or physical disabilities.
Prayers, religious songs, and guidance will be incorporated in the program.
DISCIPLINE POLICY
A friendly, positive attitude will be displayed and encouraged by staff members at all times. Teachers will offer help and companionship to each student, and will work together to create a sharing, cooperative environment. This modeling will help the students to consider the feelings of others, and will also help each student build self-esteem. No staff member shall punish a child in a way that would be physically or verbally abusive. Students will be expected to treat all games and materials with respect, and to participate in group activities in a cooperative manner. Students will be free to choose from a variety of games and activities each day. Any student may be asked to withdraw from an activity if s/he displays destructive or uncooperative behavior. If destructive or uncooperative behavior continues, a parent will be called and asked to pick up their child immediately.
EDUCATION POLICY FOR AFTER SCHOOL CARE
Since our program follows a full school day, we strive to provide a social, relaxing atmosphere and do not stress instructional learning. We will provide help with homework, stimulating games, and will take advantage of “teachable moments”. We also structure the no school days to provide art time, reading time, and organized games. We invite anyone to stop in on these days to share their special talents with the children. The summer program will feature activities, crafts and field trips based on a theme.
FIELD TRIPS
In order for your child/ren to participate on walking field trips you must indicate your approval on the enrollment form. You will always be told if there is to be a last minute field trip. Field trips are considered an important part of the Day Care Program. They include visits to: Public Library, local merchants, bowling alley, parks, Aquatic Center and Skate Express.
INCLEMENT WEATHER
We will strive to open Day Care on days school is closed because of bad weather. Please call the center just in case the director cannot make it in. Should the schools close mid-day because of dangerous conditions, the Day Care will be open until each child can be safely picked up. We will open at the usual time if there is a delayed start of school. School closings are reported on the local radio station (Watertown AM 1580 or WTMJ AM 620).
ACCIDENT / EMERGENCY MEDICAL TREATMENT
Should an accident or medical emergency occur during center hours, the staff will immediately attempt to notify the parents. If the parents cannot be reached and medical treatment is required, your signature on the child’s enrollment form empowers the care staff to authorize such treatment.
HEALTH POLICY
If your child becomes ill while at the center, s/he will be isolated from the others to avoid further contamination. A comfortable spot will be provided, and the child will be within sight and hearing of staff persons. The parents will be notified and expected to come and pick up the ill child or to authorize another adult to do so. Please consider the health of other children (and the comfort of your child), and be as prompt as possible. If your child was absent from school because of illness, they may not be at the center after school. If your child has a communicable disease, such as strep, chicken pox, etc., please notify the staff so that other parents can be informed.
When your child is absent from school, please call the school office and specify that your child will not be in Day Care that day.
