Rates

Childcare rates are based on the actual costs of running the childcare center. Childcare is offered to full-day parents during after regular school hours, as well as on half days, snow days and school breaks as an optional convenience to parents. Enrollment in preschool does not require enrollment in the childcare program. Parents may pay childcare fees in an hourly or daily. A weekly rate is available for after care only. Fees for the coming year, based on a non-profit budget are:

Child care must be prepaid.

Hourly rates are charged weekly on an actual basis. Attendance for 5-30 minutes will be charged for ½ hour. Attendance for 35-60 minutes will be charged 1 hour. Parents/guardians will fill out and submit a schedule with the days and times care is required for the following week, as well as payment for the following week, no later than Friday, the week prior. (Example: Schedule for the week of October 1-5 would need to be submitted on September 28). If a schedule is not submitted by Friday, the daily rate x3 will be charged for the following week and will be due. If payment is not received before Tuesday morning, the child will be excluded from child care until payment is received. If a payment is not received after five days, the child’s spot will no longer be held.

No discounts will be made for hours/days missed due to non-payment. If a child does not attend all scheduled hours for the week, refunds will not be given. If a child is in attendance for more than the scheduled hours, payment for additional hours will be due with the following week’s payment at the regular rate.

For hourly childcare, minimum attendance shall be 5 hours per week for after care and 25 hours for a full week of full-day care. If a schedule is submitted with fewer hours than required, the minimum rate will be charged.

For DHHS approved families, only the hourly childcare rate will be charged. The minimum attendance guidelines in the above paragraph apply. DHHS will likely not cover the entire amount due. Schedules and the families’ portion of payments are due the same as the hourly rates described above.

Weekly rates are charged regardless of how many days or hours per week a child is in attendance. Families paying the weekly rate may use the aftercare for as many days or hours that are needed. Payment will be due for the following week each Friday. Paying the weekly rate for four (4) or more weeks in advance qualifies for a 5% discount. You are welcome to pay ahead.

Daily rates are charged on days when there is no preschool, yet the childcare center is still open. Families that normally pay hourly will include hours needed for the full day on their regular schedules. Families who pay weekly will not incur any additional charge.

On days when there is no preschool, drop-ins are welcome if a spot is open for that day. The daily rate of $40 must be paid at the time the child is dropped off. Please call the school office prior to arrival to make sure a spot is open.

We must maintain strict childcare fee policies to maintain the continuity and quality of our program. If you have trouble paying for childcare, please contact the secretary, early childhood center director, early childhood teacher, or a member of the Board of Christian Education. Financial assistance through the State of Michigan and/or special payment arrangements may be available to you. Please ask. We do not wish for any child to be excluded due to financial circumstances, however, we need to be made aware of them so that we may offer assistance.