The care and education of children is a society's single most important task. To help busy parents meet this responsibility, District 39 provides a Before School Child Care Program for children in Kindergarten through 6th grade. The Program offers convenient early morning care at Central, Harper, McKenzie, Romona, and Highcrest Middle School.

Fees (Per Semester):

Before School Child Care Brochure (373 kB)

Before School Child Care Registration Form (127 kB)

Registration and fee payments can be made by mailing in the above registration form, or done on-line at RevTrak.

Open every day school is in session, from 7:00 a.m. until class starts.

Registration/Fees

Children may be registered for any number of days per week, but it must be consistent from week to week. Parents are required to specify the days their child will participate on the enrollment form.

Registration obligates parents to pay for a full semester of service. Payment in full for the first semester is due at the time of registration. Fees for the second semester will be due no later than the first day of the second semester.

Refunds

No refunds are given if children do not participate due to vacation, illness or other before-school programs. No refunds are given after the program begins unless student dismissal is required for behavioral reasons. Staff members are hired based on the number of students registered; therefore, registration obligates parents to pay for one full semester of service. The first semester begins on the first day of school in District 39.

Any changes in plans for children attending the before-school program must be communicated to the program director.

Dates of Service

The before-school program is open every school day of the year. It does not operate during in-service, institute and conference days, and school or summer vacations. The Wilmette Park District provides child care at the Recreation Center on days when schools are not in session.

Hours

Child care will be open from 7:00 a.m. until children are dismissed to their classrooms. Under no circumstances may a child arrive prior to 7:00 a.m. Children will not be dismissed early from child care to meet friends on the playground.

Note: Child care will open at 7:00 a.m. even on those days when inclement weather requires school to begin one hour later than usual. Child care will not meet if schools are closed due to severe weather emergencies.

Transportation

Transportation to the Before School Child Care Program is the parent’s responsibility. If low enrollment does not permit the program to function at each neighborhood school, transportation will be provided from a child-care site to the neighborhood school.

Snacks

The program fee covers the cost of a daily snack provided by District 39 cafeteria staff. However, this is not a substitute for a nutritious breakfast. Children should eat breakfast at home.

After-School Child Care

After-school recreational and child care activities are provided by the Wilmette Park District at the Recreation Center. A separate registration procedure is necessary to enroll children in the Park District program. For more information concerning the after-school program, please call (847) 256-6100.

Philosophy

Children benefit greatly from loving, supportive relationships with caring adults. The staff of the Before School Child Care Program is committed to providing children with leadership, structure and guidance within an organized and stable environment.

Before children can begin to care for others, they must feel cared for themselves. The home, school, and community provide many opportunities to help children develop into caring, cooperative adults. The Before School Child Care Program aims to be another place where children can develop self-esteem and self-confidence, and find trust, security, affection and caring.

Program

The Before School Child Care Program provides children with convenient early morning care in their own schools. While the before-school program is not instructional, quiet activities such as puzzles, small games, reading, simple art and special projects are provided. Children may also use this time to complete homework.

Access

Families will be issued key cards to allow entrance at a specified door beginning at 7:00 a.m. This card will only work on days when Before School Child Care is in session. Please treat this card carefully and it should last as long as your child is enrolled in the Child Care Program. Lost cards should be reported as soon as possible by calling 847-512-6036.

Supervision

Qualified adults supervise the children under the direction of a head teacher. The approximate ratio of students to staff in the before-school program is 10 to 1.

Sign-In

Because of the early hour, parents must bring children directly to the cafeteria and sign them in. There are no exceptions to this rule and it will be strictly enforced.

Emergencies

At the time of registration, parents complete an emergency form. If minor injury occurs, such as a cut or bruise, first aid is given. If a true emergency occurs, the following steps are taken:

1. Call the paramedics.
2. Try to reach the parents or the emergency contact person.
3. Paramedics and a staff member take the child to the hospital
4. Nothing except lifesaving measures are taken until a parent is reached. The child must be released to a parent from the hospital.

Insurance

Wilmette Public School District 39 does not assume responsibility for injuries, accidents or loss of personal property that may occur at the Before School Child Care Program.

Limitations

The before school program reserves the right to dismiss a child from the program if the child’s behavior makes it difficult for peers, child care staff, or the program itself to function optimally. Failure to meet the second semester financial obligations of the program will require withdrawal of the child.

For more information contact:

Mary Ann Esler, Program Director
847-512-6036
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