General Operations and Policies

Ages of Children Accepted 

The Children’s Center accepts and care for children 6 weeks old to twelve years old and has a license capacity of 120 children.  

 

Please note that if applicable when a child’s age qualifies for transition into another room for care, the family, child, teacher, and director will make the decision. This process will include a ‘Bridge Time’ between rooms to help the child acclimate to the new environment, teacher, and friends. After this a collaborative conference will occur to discuss and complete the transition.

Center's Operating Hours
The Children’s Center is open on all Morgan County School District Re-3 days from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm.

Care on No School Days
The Children’s Center also provides care on most of the days that school is not in session. Families are encouraged to sign-up for care ahead of time.

Closure Dates

The Children’s Center will operate when Morgan County School District Re-3 is in session and during most no school days and school breaks. Please reference the Open & Closed yearly schedule for specific dates. 

The Children’s Center will be closed on the following holidays: 

* New Year’s Eve 

* New Year’s Day

* Good Friday 

* Memorial Day 

* Fourth of July 

* Labor Day 

* Thanksgiving Day, and the Friday after Thanksgiving Day 

* Christmas Eve and Christmas Day

If the holiday falls on a weekend, the Children’s Center will designate another day for closure. Advanced notice of additional or early closures will be given to families and an Open and Close Schedule annually.  The Children’s Center will be CLOSED on district SNOW DAYS. 

During After School Care, if early dismissal is activated, children will be bused from their school to the Children’s Center. Families are asked to please call both the Children’s Center 970-542-0731 ex. 40216 and their child’s school if other care plans are made for their children.

The Children’s Center reserves the right to close for the day when attendance falls below 15 children. 

For safety, no child will be allowed to walk to the Children’s Center from school or walk home from the Children’s Center.

Inclement/Adverse Weather 

The Children will play outside every day. Please make sure your child is dressed appropriately for the changing weather every day. If the temperature is below 30° F or above 90° F, or the Air Quality Index falls between 101-150 the children will remain inside for large motor recreational activities.

Please see District Policy information on our website ~ fortmorgank12.com

Admission/Registration

Registration forms are available at the Children’s Center and online. Registration is limited to license capacity. Please note that limited part-time care is available during the summer. The number of spaces available in the summer is one hundred full-time students and twenty part-time students. Registration is offered on a first come first served basis. Once the program is at license capacity, a waiting list will be kept accommodating families in a fair and timely manner.

The Children’s Center will conduct a parent interview before care begins. The interview will cover overall program information and requirements and determine if the program is able to meet the needs of the child and family. Prior to the first day of care each family must submit completed: registration forms, health statement, immunization records, and birth certificate for their child.

Teen parents must be currently enrolled in Morgan County School District Re-3 to register their child for care at the Children’s Center. 

The Children’s Center meets all ADA regulations and is an inclusive early learning and childcare center. The Children’s Center partners with families to meet the needs of children with learning and developmental delays. This is an individualized process for each family focusing on inclusion, adaptive accommodations, and embedded support. The Children’s Center partners with families and the school district to meet the needs for children’s learning and developmental goals.

Two-Week Trial Period 

The first two weeks of a child's enrollment is a trial and adjustment period for children, parents, and the center staff. During the two-week trial, the parent or the provider can terminate care without reason or notice. Please note that every effort will be made to accommodate care for all children.  

Withdrawal from the Program

A two-week notice is required when withdrawing from the Children’s Center. Also, a two-week notice will be given to families if the Children’s Center can no longer offer care for their children.

Suspension and Expulsion from the Children's Center or School

Suspensions and expulsions can be utilized in cases of severe, chronic, and dangerous misbehavior. Please refer to policy (File: JKD/JKE) If a child is suspended or expelled from school, they may not attend the Children’s Center. 

Program staff are trained and work to identify the social, emotional, and developmental needs of each child. However, there are times when a child may need additional care that our staff are not able to provide. If we feel that a child’s behavior endangers the safety of other children, we will notify the family and begin with a conference. We will work together to develop and plan of action. During that time if a child is a danger to themselves or others, we may choose to suspend the child from care. Including but not limited to biting, hitting, kicking, slapping, punching, and any type of aggressive bullying behaviors. Please refer to the Discipline Policy and Procedure on Guidance, Positive Instruction, Supporting Positive Behavior, Discipline and Consequences in this handbook for the steps taken by our staff to work with children who are displaying challenging behavior. It is only after supports are given and as a last resort that we would ask to remove the child from care at the Children’s Center.