Admission Requirements

Gateway Academy & Childcare  Center  does not discriminate on the basis of special needs in accordance with the American Disabilities Act. The Center will attempt to accommodate children with special needs as long as a safe, supportive environment can be provided for the child. Applicants will be served on a first-come, first-serve basis, regardless of race, color, creed gender or national origin.

Parents wishing to enroll their child after the center is filled will have the option of being on a waiting list and being notified when an opening is available. Names remain on the waiting list for 6 months.

To begin the enrollment procedures, the parent must pay a $125 registration fee plus an additional $50 registration fee per additional children and provide the Center with an accurate class or work schedule.

Prior to the child’s admittance, the following licensing forms must be complete and returned:

• Enrollment form and health history
• Immunization form
• Permission form
• Food program application and enrollment forms
• Parent’s work/school schedule

The information on these forms will remain confidential and will be shared with the staff only as required to meet the needs to the child. This information will not be available to anyone else without the written consent of the parent or legal guardian.

A physical examination form (Child Health Report) must be on file within 30 days of the child’s enrollment date.

Parents will fill out a Child History and Profile form to be discussed with the child’s teacher.  The verbal interview will take place before the child attends the Center. The form will ask for information about the child’s birth history and development, daily routines, the child’s prior experiences, and family background.

Parents of one-year-olds will complete an additional form to clarify the child’s individual needs for feeding, diapering, napping and comforting. This form will be updated every 3 months.

Upon enrollment, a child will complete a four-week probationary period, at which point the Center staff and parents will determine if the program meets the needs of the child’s total development.

A child may be discharged from the center for reasons such as, but not limited to:

• Failure to pay fees on time. (Grounds for immediate termination, without advance notice.)
• Lack of parental cooperation.
• Inability of child care program to meet the needs of the child. We will consult with the parent concerning how any problems might be solved before ending the care arrangement.  The parent will be referred to other community resources.
• Repeated failure to pick up the child at scheduled time.
• Failure to complete and return required forms.

Parents must give a 2 weeks written notice of their intent to withdraw their children, and will be required to pay for those 2 weeks whether or not the child continues to attend.  All outstanding fees must be paid.

Payments & Refunds

Fees are to be paid in advance not later than Monday of each week.  If there will be a third party payment, as from an employer or the county, a special payment schedule will be arranged and detailed in the contract.  Parents will be responsible for any specified co-payments or unpaid amounts.

Gateway Academy & Childcare  Center  charges an annual registration / enrollment fee.  The registration / enrollment fee must be paid with the first tuition payment and at child’s enrollment anniversary

We will establish a regular rate based on your child’s hours of enrollment.  Additional fees will be assessed for additional hours if care is part-time or hours exceed 48 hours per week.

A full-time rate is offered for children who will be in care for 4 hours or more, 4 days per week.

An hourly rate is charged if children will attend fewer than 4 hours each day, or fewer than 20 hours per week.

There will be an extra fee assessed for late payment or late pick up of a child.

Rates are higher for children under 1 year of age than for older children.

No refunds will be given for days when children do not attend due to short illness or other reasons.