Parent Handbook
We are delighted that you have chosen our program for your children. Super Kids’
Place is a before and after school program located in Arnold, Belvedere, Jones and
Point Pleasant Elementary Schools. Our staff is comprised of a Director, Assistant
Director and/or Child Care Teacher and Aides according to the capacity of children
enrolled in the program. We feel that Super Kids’ Place provides a necessary service
to the parents and the children of this community. We offer quality childcare that
parents can rely upon throughout the school year.
With the help and guidance of our former Principal, Mr. Don Smith, Super Kids’ Place
was started by a group of concerned parents in the summer of 1983 at Belvedere
Elementary School. It has been a viable part of the community since then. In 1995
we became a non-profit organization with the tuition going directly toward paying for
salaries, supplies and food. We follow all the Maryland State Department of
Education (MSDE) regulations concerning health and safety.
SUPER KIDS’ PLACE (SKP) offers a variety of activities, which includes homework
assistance, recreation & games, arts & crafts, reading, music, and the choice to
pursue personal interests in a safe, friendly environment. We encourage cooperative
play and oversee the activities to help the children interact positively and pleasantly
with each other. However, the staff will intercede if difficulty arises. If you wish to have
your children complete their homework during their time at Super Kids’ Place, we ask
you to sign them up on the homework list. The staff will make every attempt to help
the complete their assignments but it is the parents’ responsibility to perform the final
check.
Each month we keep you informed of our many activities and events through a variety
of means such as email, newsletters, calendars, and a parent information board. Our
program is set in a relaxed atmosphere, and we feel the children learn many valuable
skills through these activities. However, all activities are voluntary.
We will do our best to ensure a well-rounded, positive, caring, environment for your
children. We encourage your participation and welcome your suggestions, comments,
and questions. We look forward to having you visit us at any time.
Inclusion of All Children
In order to meet the needs of all families, we welcome all children regardless of ability, background, physical need, culture, religion , gender or economic circumstances.
MONEY MATTERS
Our budget is based on the 180 days that school is in session, rather than the amount
of days in each month. This avoids all the confusion encountered with the holidays,
vacations, and the months that have different days. There is no extra charge for scheduled
early dismissal days except in June.
Registration fee: $60 per school year and is non-refundable.
Each center has different tuition rates due to start and end times of the
school day. At this time, only Belvedere, Jones Elementary, and Point Pleasant locations
offer before school care. There is a 10% discount for the 2nd and 3rd Child enrolled.
Tuition rates for each center will be in your
welcome letter or check with the center director.
Make all checks or money orders payable to Super Kids’ Place, Inc. Include
on your check or money order your child’s first and last names, the program
that your child attends, and the center name.
Cash is also accepted but write the same information on an envelope.
Receipts will be given if requested. Tuition is subject to change with a two-
week notice.
Returned checks will incur a $35 returned check fee and all other bank
charges.
There will be nine equal monthly payments. Due to the uncertainty of the opening and
closing of school and the early dismissal days in June, the payment for June and
August will be adjusted based on our rate. TUITION IS DUE THE 15TH OF EACH
MONTH FOR THE FOLLOWING MONTH. If the 15th falls on a weekend or holiday,
tuition will be due the next school day. A late fee of $50 will be charged if tuition is
received after the 15th of the month. If tuition is not received by the start of that
month, your child may not attend our program until it is paid. At that time, payment
must be in the form of cash or money order.
If your child is dismissed or suspended from the program, there is NO REFUND DUE
for that particular child’s tuition. In addition, there is NO REFUND OR CREDIT DUE to
other members of the same family.
If you withdraw your child, tuition will be adjusted to the date of departure. We do ask
that you provide us with a two-week notice.
Please, remember that our program closes at 6:00PM. We do realize that traffic,
weather, and unexpected delays do happen. There will be a $5.00 charge for every
minute that you are late. If lateness becomes a problem, it will be grounds for
dismissal. We suggest that you identify at least two close neighbors, relatives, or
friends, as emergency contacts to avoid any extra charges or worries.
ENROLLMENT AND REGISTRATION PROCEDURES
ENROLLMENT:
Super Kids’ Place offers a before and after school program in several area schools.
Our enrollment is regulated by our licensed capacity. The supervisory ratio required
by the state is one staff member to every fifteen children. SKP feels that the
supervisory ratio should be one staff to every ten children.
REGISTRATION:
The parent must complete a registration form and submit it with a $60 non-refundable
yearly registration fee. A child may be registered for enrollment in the program at any
time during the year. Children who attend grades K-5 are eligible for enrollment. The
child must also reside in the school district or have a special requirement for childcare.
Registered children who cannot be immediately enrolled will be placed on a waiting
list. When an opening occurs, we refer to this list. Parents of registered children are
contacted for enrollment according to the date on the registration. If a parent removes
a child from the program in May and does not pay for June, the child will be put at the
bottom of the waiting list. The parent may risk the chance to be in the program the
next school year.
The parents can download enrollment forms from our website www.superkidsplace.
com or will be given a copy if needed. The parent is required to complete and bring all
forms to the program office or mail them prior to the start date.
The tuition for August and September will be combined and is due on July 15th. If
enrollment is not at the start of school or in the beginning of the month, the amount of
tuition will be adjusted.
ENROLLMENT FORMS
The following enrollment forms must be completed for each child.
• Registration Form
• Parent Enrollment Agreement Form
• Health Inventory and Immunization Records
• Emergency Card
• Evacuation Form
• Review “Parent’s Guide to Regulated Child Care”
Note: If your child has Allergies or Asthma, we can administer medication under these conditions. The medicine must be updated and directions of use by the doctor written on the outside of the container. We must have a Medicine Action Plan form filled out. The form is located under forms.
All forms are available on our website and can be downloaded. If you do not have
internet access, copies of the forms can be sent to you.
SCHOOL CLOSINGS, EARLY DISMISSAL POLICIES, HOURS OF
OPERATION AND ABSENCES
SCHOOL CLOSINGS
SKP’S PROGRAM follows the Anne Arundel County Public School calendar. If
schools are closed, SKP will not operate. In the event schools are closed due to poor
weather conditions, utility problems, or any federal, state, or local emergencies, there
will be NO before or after school care. If after - school or evening activities are
cancelled, SKP WILL CLOSE AT 5pm.
DELAYED OPENINGS OR EARLY DISMISSALS
If there is a 2-hour delayed opening, SKP will open at 9am (for schools that have a
morning program).
If there is a scheduled early dismissal, SKP will operate from the close of school
until 6:00PM at no extra cost. We may plan field trips/special events for planned early dismissal days.
If your child/ren does NOT attend the field trip/special event you must have alternative arrangements for care.
In order to maintain proper staff/child ratios no staff will stay behind during activities outside school grounds
If schools are dismissed early for any unscheduled reason, our program will not
operate. Refer to your early dismissal emergency plan.
There is no extra charge for delayed openings or scheduled early dismissals except
for the month of June. If your child attends the afternoon program only, and you need
care on a delayed opening (if center has a morning program), there is a fee.
HOURS OF OPERATION
Our morning program operates from 7:00AM to the start of school and the afternoon
program operates from the close of school until 6:00PM. The children arrive directly
from school after dismissal from their classrooms. They sign in on our roster and put
their belongings away. Please make sure you pick your child up on time (see money
matters).
ABSENCES
If a child has not signed in, we make every effort to find the child before calling the
parents. Please inform us, if your child is to be absent, left school, or will be attending
an after-school activity. Use our mailbox in the school office or leave us a message on
our answering machine. The Super Kids’ Place telephone numbers are:
Arnold 410-271-7480 Director Karen Lloyd.
Belvedere 410-544-8150 Director Kim Castleton
Jones 410-647-5837 Director Erika Yaruta-Roskam
Point Pleasant 443-320-3570 Director LaShaurn Bellomy
SNACKS
We provide a snack every day of the week except Wednesdays. On those days we
ask the parents to sign up on the posted list to donate two gallons of juice and enough
snacks for the children enrolled in the program. You will be reminded when it is your
turn prior to the snack date. The reminder will contain the due date and the number of
children enrolled in the program. We have a refrigerator, so you may bring the snack
in the day before. In accordance with MSDE licensing, we request that all snacks
brought from home be sealed in the original packaging.
If your child has specific food allergies, please inform us in writing. On those days that
we have snack that your child may be allergic to, we will try and provide another option
for them to eat. Parents may also bring them an alternate snack choice to keep at the
program.
HEALTH ISSUES
We need to be informed in writing if your child has any known conditions such as
diabetes, asthma, seizure disorders, allergies, etc. If your child requires medication
for a prescription or an over-the-counter medication, we must have an authorization
form from the doctor. The doctor may supply these forms, or we can give you one.
Our state guidelines require that all medication must be provided in the original
container with the doctor’s directions. All medication will be locked up. If your child
needs medication for a recurring condition, we ask that only one month’s supply be
kept at the center at any time.
Please note if your child has one of the following conditions, we will call the parents to
pick their child up as soon as possible. Until the parents arrive, the child will be
isolated from the other children.
- Fever more than 100 degrees F (child must be fever free for 24 hours
before returning to the program) - Vomiting or diarrhea
- Conjunctivitis
- Head lice
- Strep throat
- Contagious disease
- Accidents requiring medical attention
First aid will be given for any minor accident. The paramedics and the parents will be
called if the situation is severe.
SAFETY, PERSONAL PROPERTY, VISITORS, AND VOLUNTEERS
SAFETY
Outdoor play will not be permitted when the temperature including the wind chill falls
below 32 degrees or above 98 degrees including the heat index.
The school will practice fire drills throughout the year. Evacuation for an emergency
will be followed according to the site plan for each center. A form explaining this plan
will be supplied for you to sign at the time of enrollment or renewal.
We want to ensure the safety of all students attending SKP. This includes following all
the MSDE laws, policies, and procedures for reporting child abuse and neglect.
PERSONAL PROPERTY
Personal property such as coats, clothing, school bags, etc. must be removed from
the childcare room after each session. Any personal property that remains after the
session will be taken to the lost and found. Although we attempt to help the children
stay organized, the program will not be responsible for lost property. Children may not
bring extra money, toys, food, electronics or other items to SKP without checking with
the director.
VISITORS
Parents and community members are welcome to observe the program. For liability
reasons it is not possible for visiting children to take part in the activities.
VOLUNTEERS
Volunteers are always welcome and are a valuable asset to the program. They may
include adults, college and high school students. High school students may volunteer
to satisfy their community service requirement. These volunteers sign an agreement
to follow specific guidelines before being allowed to be with the children. If there is any
problem, the volunteer will be asked to leave. Throughout the years, we have had
some extraordinary volunteers. Many have used skills learned from our program in
other applications. Some have even chosen a career in child development.
DISCIPLINE AND DISCHARGE
DISCIPLINE
Children are entitled to a safe and harmonious environment. SKP cannot serve
children who display disruptive behavior.
Disruptive behavior is defined as verbal or physical abuse, which may include but is
not limited to such behavior that requires constant attention from the staff, inflicts
physical or emotional harm on staff or other children, and /or ignores or disobeys the
rules that guide behavior during the program time.
A verbal and written warning will be given for abusive language, defiance, and
disrespect. After the written warning and a second offense of the same nature occur,
a discipline form will be given, and the child will be suspended for one day. If a second
discipline form is issued, the child will be suspended for three days. If three instances
relating to different issues occur, the child will also be suspended for three days.
Finally, after a child has been issued a three-day suspension and one more incident of
any nature occurs, a child will be removed from the program.
Subsequently, we cannot have a parent who abuses our staff verbally or physically.
This behavior will result in dismissal of the child from the program. We cannot have
parent or children in the program who abuse the rules. This only jeopardizes the
other families in the program.
After working with the family, if a child cannot adjust to the program setting and
behave appropriately, the child will be dismissed. Any fighting or physical contact
depending on the circumstances may be grounds for dismissal. Any physical contact
may require a call to the parents to pick up the child as soon as possible. The child
will be separated from the group until the parent arrives. There may be an expulsion
or a three-day suspension depending on the circumstances.
SUPER KIDS’ PLACE RULES AND GUIDELINES
RULES
- Sign in, relax, unwind, and socialize
- Be quiet during announcements
- Use indoor voices
- Walk while you are in the halls or in the program space
- Complete assigned jobs
- Keep all craft materials and toys at the table
- Keep all personal belongings in your backpack. Names on coats, sweaters, jackets, hats and gloves.
- Do not return to your classroom after dismissal without permission
- Clean up after yourself
- Notify a staff member if you need to use the restroom or move to another
BEHAVIOR GUIDELINES
- Respect must be given to everyone
- Roughhousing or fighting is not allowed
- Gum or candy is not permitted
- Use appropriate language at all times
- Request permission when you leave the room
- Be responsible for yourself
- Please keep your hands and feet to yourselves no body contact
KIDS CODE (suggested by prior children enrolled in the program)
We listen first
We take pride and care in our belongings and ourselves
We respect others
We participate to have fun
Important:
After you have read and understood the handbook:
Please sign and return the Handbook Acknowledgement Form using this link:
Parent Agreement Form