Rates & Tuition Policy

Dartmouth Children's Center Inc. prides itself on its ability to provide flexible scheduling for its families and as a result, rates vary based on scheduling requirements. Please contact us for personalized rate information.

Enrollment
Initial Visit - at which time parents and children may view the facility and meet the Director to discuss Dartmouth Children's Center's policies and philosophy. An application and registration fee may be left at this time.
Intake Appointment - when an application is accepted the family is provided with, a folder containing Dartmouth Children's Center's Parent handbook, a copy of the Department of Early Education and Care Parental Rights, and all applicable enrollment forms. An appointment will be made to review specific program information. A meeting could be held in the child's home if more convenient to families. First week's tuition must be made at this time.

Shortly before a child begins, the parent and child are invited to spend time observing the Program so they will have an opportunity to meet their teacher and other children. It is a good time to learn where important things like bathrooms, personal storage and equipment are located. The following forms are submitted during this visit:
· emergency contact information
· medical release and Authorization and Consent form (child release authorization)
· Transportation Plan authorization
· multiple permission slips

The child must also have a complete health record lead screening documentation and immunization form on file within the first month of enrollment. School Age health and immunization forms must be on file at the public school that they are attending. The first week tuition must be submitted prior to the first week of attendance. Parents are welcome to visit at any time. Conferences may be scheduled if needed. The Director reserves the right to make the final determination to accept and place a child.

Scheduling definitions:

• Full time - a student who attends the center 5 full days per week.
• Part Time Full Day - a child who attends the center 5 hours or more per day but less than 5 days per week. Example: child attends Tuesdays and Thursdays full day.
• Part Time Half Day - a child who attends with a consistent schedule less than 5 hours per day. Example: Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays 8:30 to 12.
• Drop-In Care - A child who attends for a time period within a given day based on availability for that day. Children must be enrolled with the center. Example: A family has unexpected situation and calls the center in the morning for possible care for a child based on the attendance and staffing for that day.

Registration
A one time $40.00 registration fee, per child, is required when enrollment form is submitted. The registration fee is only refunded if applicant is not enrolled.

Tuition
Tuition at Dartmouth Children's Center is pre-paid. Payments for children enrolled on fixed schedules are due on the Thursday , prior to your child's scheduled week of attendance. Any payments received after Friday will be considered late and a $3.00 late fee will be applied to tuition. Families who use drop in service will be requested to pay tuition on the last day of the week the child attends. Chronic lateness may be grounds for termination. Dartmouth Children's Center accepts checks, money orders, and cash. Each family will be provided a monthly summary of their account. Please remember the staff and program that provides the care for your child relies on tuition payments.

Refferal Incentive
Families who refer a family that registers their child to Dartmouth Children's Center will earn 1 free day of child care per child enrolled to the center.

Family Discount
Families with two or more children enrolled full-time will be allowed a 25% discount on the child with lowest tuition. Families with two or more children enrolled part-time will be allowed a 10% discount on the child with lowest tuition.

Extended Hours
Extended hours will be provided on an as needed basis. Advanced notice must be given if your child is not regularly scheduled to attend during these hours or a late fee of $3.00 per 15 minute will be assessed after 5:30 pm. Extended hours should be pre-paid and included in tuition payment for the following week.

Late Policy
A late fee of $10.00 per 15 minute per family will be assessed if the child is left at the center after closing. Chronic lateness may result in termination. Any child left after 6:00 p.m. will warrant the following steps:

1 - At 6:00 p.m. the staff notifies the Administration and attempts to call the parents
2 - if parents are unavailable, the staff will attempt to contact all persons listed on the Release Authorization and Consent form.
3 - If the staff is unable to contact parents or any authorized adults by 6:15 p.m. , the staff will contact the director or the owner. If the director or owners are unavailable the police will be contacted. If the director or owners are available to return to the center, they will contact the police at 6:30 .

Other Fees
Checks returned for insufficient funds will be subject to a charge of $15.00 per return. After receiving three returned checks, we accept only cash. A September materials fee may be implemented.

Sick Policy
Tuition must be paid for a full week regardless of attendance in order to retain placement. Partial tuition reimbursement for extended illness (two or more consecutive weeks) will be at the discretion of the Director. A doctor's note must be obtained stating type of illness and length of absence in order to be considered for partial reimbursement.

Vacation Policy
Families of children enrolled full time will be allowed 7 tuition free days per year after one month of attendance for which no tuition will be expected. Families of children enrolled part time will be allowed tuition free days equivalent to that child's week after 3 months of attendance. Two weeks advance written notice must be given to the Director. Payment for week returning from tuition free days is still expected the Thursday before returning to the center. Checks can be mailed to us if out of town, and must be received no later than Friday.

SNOW DAY POLICY
Dartmouth Children's Center reserves the right to close due to severe weather conditions. The safety of children and staff are considered when closing decision is made. The closing decision will be made by the teacher's ability to arrive safely. 4-8" will be a possible delay. 8+" will be a possible closing. The decision to close early will be made by the family's ability to get to the center. If there has been 4-6+" in a short period of time you should call the center to check. A message will be left on the answering service at the center.

ARRIVAL - DEPARTURE
The Child Care Center will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. , Monday through Friday. We offer a before/after Kindergarten and School Age programs. The School Age Program is open all hours of operation during non-school days. Please accompany your child inside to the Program in the morning to assure contact with the staff and sign him/her in on the attendance sheet. Upon departure, please sign your child out as well. Parents must call the Program if their child will be absent