CAFFERATA KIDS CARE
Director: Alicia Gemelli
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: (239) 458-7391
Fax: (239) 772-0749
Click here to register.
PROGRAM GOAL
To provide our Cafferata students with a safe and structured environment, while meeting the needs of our working parents.
HOURS
Before school: 6:25 a.m. to 7:25 a.m.
After school: 2:10 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
ENROLLMENT
Students in Kindergarten through Fifth Grade must be registered in the Kids Care Program to participate in the program. Space is limited, and due to high numbers, enrollment is often closed from time to time. Enrollment criteria includes:
- Students must attend a Lee County Public School, grades K-5.
- Students must be able to function in a group of twenty-five students with one adult.
- Students must have independent bathroom skills.
Cafferata Kids Care is available when school is in full day sessions. There is no program when children are out of school for Teacher Duty Days, In-Service Days, and during District-observed holidays including Winter, Thanksgiving and Spring Break. We will have before school care on the early dismissal days, but there is NO afternoon care on these days. The last day of After Care will be May 29, 2024.
RATES
Annual
Registration: $25 per child/$40 for 2+ children.
Mornings: $20 weekly/flat rate
Afternoons: $50 weekly/flat rate
OTHER FEES
Late Payment: $5
Late Pick-Up: $1 per minute per child. Three late pickups will result in dismissal from the
program, as outlined in the fee-based program guidelines.
BALANCE INQUIRIES
The best method to inquire about your child’s credit balance is to email [email protected]. If you prefer to inquire by phone, the answer to the inquiry will be after 3:00 p.m.
PAYMENT PROCEDURES
- Payments can be either called in to (239) 458-7391 (with a credit or debit card) or check or cash can be placed in an envelope and handed to us. We accept payments during school hours and during Kids Care hours. We accept all major credit cards and debit cards, except for American Express.
- All payments are due prior to participation. The Florida Constitution Article VII prohibits the School District of Lee County to extend credit to any individual.
- When paying with a check, please make the check payable to Cafferata Elementary or HACJES. Please be sure to write your child’s first and last name on the memo line.
- Your child’s Kids Care Program balance must be paid in advance so that he/she may attend/participate in any extended day activities (including but not limited to Clubs, Dances, Trips, Tutoring).
- If you owe a payment and it is not paid at the time of service there will be a $5 late fee added.
OTHER CHARGES
The program closes at 6:00 p.m. If your child is picked up after 6:00 p.m. you will be charged $1.00 per child for every minute after 6:00 p.m. (cell phone time). Child(ren) who are repeatedly picked up late will be subjected to the District’s Revocation Policy. Any returned checks will need to be collected by our Bookkeeper and all future payments will need to be in cash only. Other charges may be accrued during this collection process.
PAST DUE BALANCES FROM PREVIOUS YEARS
All past due balances must be paid in full before registration for 2023-2024.
DROP OFF/PICK UP PROCEDURES
Drop Off - Parents park their vehicle in the parking lot and walk their student to the front gate.
Pick Up - Parent/guardian arrives at the main gate, shows ID or blue card and states that they are here to pick up their child/children. Parent/guardian waits outside the gate. Office staff checks ID and calls the student to the main office and at this point your child is signed out. Please be advised, your child will not be called for pick up until you hang up your phone. This is to ensure that we may have your attention to discuss behavior concerns, account balances, or any other concerns. Notify the office if there is any change in your child’s dismissal expectations. Children will need to be signed out at the front gate. Only persons on the emergency list will be permitted to pick up your child. They must have a photo ID!
EMERGENCY & UNAUTHORIZED PICK-UPS
If you are sending a new person to pick up your child who is not on our emergency list, you will need to fax or e-mail the Kids Care Program Office written permission in advance. Include in this fax or email:
- Your name
- Your child's name
- The name of the person picking up your child
- A copy of your driver's license.
When the designated person arrives at the office, they must have a photo ID!
DISCIPLINE POLICY
This program will adhere to a “three-strike” policy:
- First offense; verbal warning,
- Second offense; timeout,
- Third offense; referral and parent contacted.
Strikes are given out for, but not limited to, the following types of infractions:
- Fighting, hitting, or verbally abusing another person.
- Not following the instructions of all program staff.
- Repeated infractions/same offense.
- Gross insubordination/disrespect.
- Using inappropriate websites while using computers.
Three valid referrals may result in suspension from the program. Parents will be notified to pick up their child as soon as possible if any infraction warrants, and if unexpected circumstances occur. The strike may be given the following day after a preliminary investigation. Strikes resulting in disciplinary actions will be at the discretion of the Kids Care Program Director and/or the Principal.
REVOCATION PROCEDURES
In accordance with the Lee County’s District Policy for Fee-Based Programs, the Principal or the Director has the authority to revoke the enrollment of a child in a fee-based program if the following situations occur:
- If behavior becomes problematic and recurring as defined in the program discipline policy.
- If Payments are NOT pre-paid or non-payment of regular weekly and late fees.
- If the child is picked up late (after 6:00 p.m.) three times.
HOMEWORK
Time for homework will be included in the activity schedule on Monday-Thursday. This is NOT a tutoring service, but a time to complete homework. Your child will need an AR book to read, in the event that they finish their homework early.
INTERNET
Children grades K-5 will have computer time in the activity schedule daily. Children will be allowed to go to certain educational sites during this time. The search engine is filtered by the School District.
LETTERS
At least a 72-hour advance notification will be required for any type of letter or documentation needed for court hearings or any other situations.
MEDICATION
Medication is not administered by the Kids Care staff.
SNACKS
A snack will be provided by our Kids Care program and will be eaten in our cafeteria during snack time. You may send a snack from home but please make sure not to send in soda or candy. In addition, if a snack is provided from home it may not be shared with others.
Toys and electronic games from home are not allowed.