General Information

gracecdc@graceparis.org

Grace Child Development Center strives to establish and maintain a safe, healthy, nurturing environment. We want to provide an atmosphere that gives children a warm, secure, comfortable place to spend their time away from home. Our Christian faith will be shared with the children in our day-to-day living experiences. Our staff will encourage your children's stretch for learning, self control and independence.

Licensed with the State of Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. We carry public liability insurance with State Farm Insurance.

Hours

Grace Lutheran Child Development Center hours are Monday - Friday from 6:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Days of Operation

Grace Lutheran Child Development Center is open year-round except for the following days

• New Year's Day*
  
• Good Friday
• Memorial Day
• Independence Day*
• Labor Day
• Thanksgiving (Thursday and Friday)
• Christmas Eve*
• Christmas Day*

Dates vary by year depending on when they fall. Please see Director for exact dates.

Classrooms/Rates

Admission Policy

Grace Lutheran Child Development Center welcomes all children ages 6 weeks of age through age 12. In the childcare we will gladly assist in the potty training experience. However, when young children begin their preschool experience, they must be capable of using the bathroom independently.

Parents will receive a registration packet that must be completed and returned before the first day of attendance. Each family will receive a tour and meet with the Director for a family conference during the registration process.

Statement of Acceptance

Grace Child Development Center accepts children of any race, color, national or ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally made available to the children at the Center. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national and ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies, admission policies and preschool administered programs.

Children with Special Needs

Children with special needs may be accepted after an evaluation is made to determine whether or not the Center can be beneficial to the child's development. The child's family will provide the Center with a written program plan based on the determination of a qualified consultant. This plan must be in our files before the child's first day of attendance. Together the family and the Center will regularly evaluate whether the needs of the child are being satisfied.

Tuition Policy

Our program is a nonprofit organization that operates primarily on the tuition fees from each child. Therefore, it is essential that your fees be paid promptly and regularly. All fees must be paid for the days and hours your child is registered to attend. If your child is absent, the fees are still due in full. Tuition will remain the same during periods that contain closings for holidays and staff workshop days.

1. The annual Registration Fee is due before your child(ren) will be admitted or re-admitted to preschool or childcare and every August 1st thereafter.
2. Tuition is due on the child(rens) first attendance day of the week. If the tuition is not paid your account will be charged a late fee. Tuition fees are billed on Friday and are due no later than the following Monday morning. Timely payment is the responsibility of the parent. Your child may not attend if tuition is not paid, and that spot may be filled with a child from the waiting list.
3. Preschool tuition payments will be due the first of each month, September through May. There are no refunds if you withdraw your child during a month, but you will not be required to pay for the remainder of the preschool term.
4. Children enrolled in preschool only are subject to the preschool tuition rate. They may arrive no earlier than 5 minutes before class and must be picked up no later than 5 minutes after their class. Parents who bring their child(ren) too early or pick them up late will be charged an additional hourly childcare rate $1.00 for each minute. The late fee is the responsibility of the parent. It is due when the child is picked up.
5. The overtime fee for childcare begins at 6:01 p.m. and is due immediately. Our Center closes at 6:00 p.m. and every effort should be made to respect the closing time. The fee is $1.00 for each minute past closing. This late fee will be paid to the caregivers that remain to care for your child(ren).
6. No discounted tuition fees or space holding credits for sickness are offered. However, we offer one week (5 days) of no charge vacation time per year. The 5 vacation days may be used all at once or one at a time. The director must be given notification in advance for vacation leave. You are not allowed to use your vacation days for days when your child is here. If you do not use your 5 days by December 31 they do not carry over. Each child will receive 5 vacation days each January 1 to be used that calendar year.
7. Please notify the director 2 weeks in advance of a child's withdrawal from the Center; otherwise, you will be charged for the space you have reserved for your child.
8. Fees may change without prior notice; however we will announce any changes as soon as possible.
9. There will be a $25.00 charge for any check returned from the bank for any reason.
10. If your child is nearly recovered from a mild, non-contagious illness, but should not be with other children yet, you may inquire about our special childcare room for such times. This room may be available for your alternate childcare if our "on call" caregivers are available. The cost is $20.00 a day (in addition to regular tuition) and is payable immediately.

Procedure for Reporting Abuse

Grace Lutheran Board of Education and the Center's staff shall report all suspected child abuse or neglect to the Child Abuse/Neglect Hotline as required by the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act. Suspicions of abuse or neglect shall be documented and maintained in a confidential record.

Food Service

Infants Food—The Center provides all baby food and for $5/week the Center provides Nestles Good Start Formula.

AM Snack—This meal is included as part of our daily routine. Morning snack will be offered to our early attendees by 8:15 a.m., until 9:00 a.m.

Noon Meal—Our noon meal will be served family style in the children's rooms. Rooms will be served their meal at a time that fits into their daily routine (between 11:00 a.m. and noon). Occasionally, the group may eat in the multi-purpose room or on the patio area of the playground. Our meal times are designed to be an enjoyable experience for the children and staff. We will tech and encourage good manners. Children are encouraged to serve and feed themselves as much as possible. We will encourage but not force children to try all foods. Our menus and any daily changes will be posted in the kitchen and our reception area. Your are welcome to join us for lunch. Please make a reservation in advance so we may have enough food prepared. There will be a cost of $2.00.

PM Snack—This snack will be furnished each day. The snack will follow nap/quiet time in the afternoon. Two items will be offered from the four main categories: milk products; vegetables, fruits, juices; protein; or grains and bread.

5:00 p.m. Snack—This snack will be furnished each day. Two items will be offered from the four main categories: milk products; vegetables, fruits, juices; protein; or grains and bread.

Food Allergies and Special Needs should be comunicated with our staff so that we may accomodate the needs of your child(ren).

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© 2005, 2006, 2007 Grace Lutheran Church and Child Development Center

Email us: gracecdc@graceparis.org