Child Care

Centerview Elementary - 10365 Davenport St NE, Blaine, MN, 55449, 763-600-5511, childcareCV@district16.org

Northpoint Elementary - 2350 124th Court, Blaine, MN, 55449, 763-600-5711, childcareNP@district16.org

Park Terrace Elementary - 8301 Terrace Road, Spring Lake Park, MN, 55432, 763-600-5611, childcarePT@district16.org

Woodcrest Spanish Immersion - 880 Osborne Road, Fridley, MN, 55432, 763-600-5811, childcareWC@district16.org

Discovery Days at DSC Early Childhood Center - 1415 81st Ave NE, Spring Lake Park, MN, 55432, 763-600-5902, lbohl@district16.org

Eligibility for Programs and Services:

• Learning Ventures (School Year Programs): Open to students in Kindergarten through Grade Six who are at least five years old but not yet thirteen.
• Learning Ventures (Non-School Day Only Program): Open to students in Kindergarten through Grade Six who are at least five years old but not yet thirteen.
• Learning Ventures (Summer Programs): Open to students who have completed Kindergarten through Grade Six and are at least five years old but not yet thirteen.
• Discovery Days (School Year Programs): Open to students who are at least three years old by September 1 of the current school year, potty-trained, and have not yet started Kindergarten.
• Discovery Days (Summer Programs): Open to students who were at least three years old by September 1 of the previous school year, potty-trained, and have not yet started Kindergarten. 

Schedule Options for Programs and Services:

• School Year Program: Students must register for the same days each week. If additional "drop-in" days are needed, requests must be made online. Approval depends on space availability, and an email confirmation will be sent if the extra day is approved. Drop-in rates apply.
• Summer Program: Families can select the number of weeks and days needed for care. If additional "drop-in" days are needed, requests must be made online. Approval depends on space availability, and an email confirmation will be sent if the extra day is approved. Drop-in rates apply.

Registration for Programs and Services:

• A $25 non-refundable registration fee is required per contract at the time of registration.
• Learning Ventures: A non-refundable deposit is required per contract at the time of registration. For summer, it is $150. For school-year, it is $100. 
• Discovery Days: A $340 non-refundable deposit is required per contract for new families at the time of registration.

Tuition Fees and Charges:

• Tuition is paid in advance and is due on Monday, one week before care.
• A $15 late fee applies to accounts not current by Tuesday.
• A $25 Non Sufficient Funds (NSF) fee will be assessed to your account if an ACH Checking, Savings, Debit Card or Credit Card is returned unpaid for any reason.
• Accounts not paid by Wednesday may result in contract cancellation, which could place families back on the waiting list until a spot becomes available.
• Past-due accounts not brought current by Wednesday each week may result in suspension from the program.
• Early/late arrival fees apply if children are dropped off or picked up outside of established hours: $10 for the first 10 minutes and $1 per minute thereafter.
• There is no reduction in tuition for delays, closures due to emergencies or weather, or suspension. This applies to school days, non-school days, and summer care.
• Absent days (due to vacation, illness, etc.) are not eligible for refund or credit.
• The person signing the contract is responsible for all payments, regardless of assistance status, child support agreements, legal family arrangements, or attendance.
• Any fees incurred during the collection process will be added to the account.
• An annual statement of childcare payments will be available online for tax purposes beginning January 1. 

Contract Changes and Cancellation:

• Contract changes must be requested online and apply to a minimum of 10 care days. Schedule changes for fewer than 10 days are not eligible for tuition adjustments. A $25 fee applies for each contract change after the first occurrence.
• To avoid additional tuition charges, contract cancellations require a two-week notice. Account owners are responsible for payment of all fees once invoiced, as invoicing occurs about two weeks before care.
• Requests to change or cancel care must be submitted online in your Arux account at SpringLakePark.ce.arux.com at least 14 days in advance of cancellation. If the date you choose is less than 2 weeks out, Arux will assign your cancellation date. 
• Email cancellations are accepted at SLPComEd@District16.org, with at least 14 days' notice. Cancellations by email can only be accepted at this email address.
• Communication to cancel in any other manner is not acceptable notice, and tuition will continue to be assessed per the contract rate.
• Lack of attendance is not an acceptable form of notice, and tuition will continue to be charged.
• Contract changes to temporarily remove care are treated as cancellations (e.g., a three-week absence). Parents can either:
  1. Cancel the contract and re-register on the waiting list for a new start date, pending availability.
  2. Pay for the missed days to retain the current contract.

Drop-in Care:

• Drop-in care is not guaranteed until approved. Requests are reviewed 2-3 weeks in advance. If a spot is available, it will be approved; otherwise, it will be denied. Some dates may not be available.
• Drop-in care tuition is due upon approval, and the account owner is responsible for payment, even if the child does not attend.

Non-School Day (NSD) Care Cancellation:

• To cancel NSD care, email SLPComEd@District16.org at least 14 days before the NSD or the first day in a series. Invoicing occurs two weeks in advance, so the account owner will be responsible for all fees once invoiced.
• NSD care is available for families with contracted weekly care until two weeks before the NSD or the first day in a series. Those registered less than two weeks before will be confirmed based on the “NSD Only” registration date and charged the corresponding tuition rate.
• No refunds are provided for cancellations made less than two weeks before the NSD or the first day in a series.

The primary purpose of Learning Ventures Child Care is to improve student learning while providing high-quality child care services for children whose parents work outside the home. Our child care staff work to provide an enriching educational and recreational environment for children. Our program enhances the development of children in the following areas.

• Cognitive Expansion: Opportunities to experience, discover, experiment, problem-solve, and reinforce skills used to be successful in school
• Self and Social Awareness: Social growth through dramatic play, one-to-one experiences, group activities and cooperative games. Emotional development within a safe, supportive, and stable atmosphere which stresses individual choice and responsibility.
• Physical Development: Fine and gross motor development through the use of arts and crafts, manipulative toys, active games, sports, and movement activities, both in and outside
• Creative Expression: Creative individual expression in an environment that is safe and supportive, providing a fun way for children to show who they are and how they are special
• Recreational Activities: Opportunities to learn new ways of using leisure time, to discover talents, abilities, potential life-long hobbies and career options

Program Information     Spring Lake Park Schools - Community Education – Child Care programs provide high quality services that will grow with your child from preschool through grade six.  Child Care staff work to provide hands-on play experiences that support student success.  We encourage children to be creative, think critically, and develop self-direction.  We commit to you to provide childcare that enhances your child's social development and bridges your child's academic education with out-of-school-time learning.

Learning Ventures – School-age Care     Before- and after-school care for students in kindergarten through grade six is available on site at each of our elementary schools. School sites are open from 6:30 a.m. until the start of school and after-school until 6:00 p.m. Our staff to child ratio is 1 adult to 15 students.  On Non School Days, care is available from 6:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at selected sites. Our Summer Trek program is open for care in June, July and August.

Late Starts/Early Closings/School Cancellation

If Spring Lake Park Schools cancels school, and/or closes its buildings, because of adverse weather, or any other reason, Learning Ventures Child Care will also be closed for the day. Listen to WCCO (830 AM) for any announcements concerning our schools. Special announcements for Child Care will NOT be made. Any school closure/delay includes our Learning Ventures Child Care programs.

If Spring Lake Park Schools has a late-start because of adverse weather (for example, 1 or 2 hours late), staff will open our Child Care programs with a late-start as well (1 or 2 hours) to provide care. However, staff may be hampered with their travel, so please call your site before leaving your home."

If Spring Lake Park Schools cancels school after Child Care has opened, we will also need to close.  We will notify parents that children need to be picked up within two hours.

If Spring Lake Park Schools cancels school after Child Care has completed before-school care and children have already gone to school, children who are at school when it is canceled need to follow your family’s emergency care procedures. Child Care cannot re-open for care.

All announcements concerning Spring Lake Park Schools’ closings or delayed starts will apply to Child Care. The official radio channel for these announcements is WCCO (830 AM). Information is posted on the school district website.

Arrival and Departure
A parent or other adult must accompany the child to and from their Child Care site each day. Child will be signed in and out on the daily attendance device to ensure the child safely arrives and leaves our program. Please be sure that a staff person is aware that your child has arrived or departed for the day. Note: participation in CCA programs requires that each child must be signed-in for verification of child-care received.

School-age Child Care will open each morning at 6:30 a.m. Under no circumstances are children to be dropped off before 6:30 a.m., even if you see a staff member is present. The opening staff does arrive a few minutes early to prepare the site to provide safe and uninterrupted care at 6:30 a.m.

If your child will not be attending on a contracted day, please call your site to notify staff. You may leave a message 24 hours a day. Learning Ventures is not responsible to notify your child's elementary school of his/her absence. The elementary schools do not notify Learning Ventures of absences either.

Our child care program closes each day at 6:00 p.m. All children must be picked up no later than 6:00 p.m. We appreciate your cooperation in ensuring timely pick-up, which helps us maintain a safe and supportive environment for all.

Late pick-ups will result in a late fee charged to your account as follows:

• $10 for up to the first 10 minutes late
• $1 per minute for each additional minute after that

Only authorized persons are allowed to pick up children. Upon registration, parents will be asked to list the names of persons authorized to pick up the child. If anyone other than an authorized person will be picking up the child, staff must be notified in advance. Please call and supply us with the name of the person, a telephone number where they can be reached, and a brief description. This person should provide us with a picture ID upon request. Since children will not be released to an unauthorized person, it is important to keep staff up to date about who is authorized to pick up your child.

If you are going to be away from your place of work, be sure to leave a phone number where you can be reached if we must reach you for an emergency.

Note:  Copies of legal documents must be provided to the site manager before any staff person can actively prevent a child from being picked up by a non-custodial parent.

Late Pick-up Procedures
Parents must call your site if you will be late in picking up your child. If a child is not picked up by closing time, staff will remain with the child.

By 5 minutes late, call the home and work numbers of the parent as listed on the contract.

By 15 minutes late, call other emergency numbers listed if there is no answer at either number. If no emergency numbers are listed or are incorrect, the police will be notified.

By 20 minutes late, call police if staff is no longer able to remain with the child. Staff has been directed to call police in all circumstances at 30 minutes late.

Absence Notification
Parents must call Learning Ventures when a child will not be returning after school to Learning Ventures on a regularly contracted day. If the staff is expecting the child and she/he is not there, they are instructed to implement the following procedures:  School will be asked for information regarding the missing child.

Within a reasonable length of time of taking attendance and asking the child's school, parents will be called (home and work numbers), if no answer:  District transportation department will be called for information regarding the missing child. Parents will be called a second time and/or emergency numbers will be called.

Within a reasonable span of time, if all other options have been employed, the police will be notified.  This usually means that the local police department will make a visit to the child's home and neighborhood to see if they are there.

Please note that this does take time away from the other children and can be very stressful on staff. If for any reason, your child leaves school early please give us a call at your Learning Ventures site. A quick call will alleviate the time and stress this situation causes.

Finding Fee: A $5 fee may be assessed when staff have not been notified of a child’s absence. Absences should be reported 30 minutes before the expected arrival of the child. The fee will be added to your next month’s billing charges.

Children need a balance of high-energy/physical activities and quiet/lower energy activities. Our schedules include “personal time” for children to learn to unwind, relax, and have some time just for themselves. During Non-School Days there is up to one hour of personal time set aside for each grade. This usually happens around mid-day after lunch. Activities vary with each age group but will usually include some of the following:  books, puzzles, beadwork, weaving, or other individual projects (for the older grades), story tapes, teacher-read chapter books, educational or entertaining videos, individual games, etc.  If children WANT to sleep, they certainly can but children are NOT expected to lie down or sleep.

If pets are present at Child Care, parents are informed at the time of enrollment. Pets are properly housed, cared for, inoculated, and licensed in accordance with local health codes.

We believe outdoor play is essential for the well-being of growing children. Therefore, all children will spend a portion of most days outside. Please provide appropriate clothing for the weather.  Please label all clothing items with your child's name. Learning Ventures is not responsible for missing items.

Toys from Home/Personal Property/Phones

Children do not need to bring personal items, toys, phones, or money from home. If items are brought from home, children will be expected to abide by staff directions and/or rules for the use of items from home. Learning Ventures is not responsible for personal items that may get lost or stolen. It is helpful if all items are labeled with child's name.

Consideration is the best guide in determining whether to bring personal possessions (valuables, iPhones, headphones, handheld games, etc.) to school. Personal property should not be used in any manner that disrupts the activities or services of others. It is recommended that students leave valuables at home.

Use of items from home, including phones, will be limited to appropriate times/needs as determined by our program schedules and staff. Students may ask for staff assistance if an emergency arises which requires a phone call to a parent.

Learning Ventures Child Care program goals focus on helping each child develop self-discipline, high self-esteem, and respect for others. We begin with a basic acceptance of each child as a valuable member of society who is entitled to be treated with dignity and respect at all times. We work to set appropriate expectations and to structure the environment in ways which allow each child to succeed. We are committed to the use of encouragement, redirection and positive reinforcement. Our goal in guiding behavior is to help children to develop positive self-images, to help them interact positively with others, and to learn self-control.

Staff will always supervise children, monitoring ongoing activities with appropriate visual and auditory awareness, physical proximity, and knowledge of activity requirements and each child’s needs. Staff will intervene when necessary to ensure a child’s safety. In determining the appropriate level of supervision of a child, staff must consider the age of the child, individual differences and abilities, indoor and outdoor layout of the program spaces, and environmental circumstances, hazards, and risks.

Learning Ventures staff has adopted five basic rules that help to ensure a safe friendly environment for all children and are reinforced throughout the program.

• Use hands, feet, and objects in a friendly and safe way.
• Follow directions.
• Speak respectfully.
• Be respectful of others and self.
• Act safely with yourself and others.

There are times when a child needs help in learning what behavior is acceptable and may need additional restrictions. Children that demonstrate repetitive, inappropriate behavior may be placed on an individualized behavior plan. Parents may be asked to assist in developing the plan and to communicate regularly with the Learning Ventures staff about the child’s progress.

Learning Ventures will not use any form of corporal punishment, including but not limited to rough handling, shoving, hair pulling, ear pulling, shaking, slapping, kicking, biting, pinching, hitting and spanking, emotional abuse, withholding or forcing of food and other basic needs, threatening language, or physical restraints. Securely holding a child within a teacher's arms is permitted when necessary to protect the child or others from injury or harm. If necessary, staff will assist in removing the child from a threatening situation.

Occasionally, a child will need to be separated from the group in order to aid him/her in regaining control of his/her emotions or when the child is endangering those around him/her. A separated child will be in continuous sight and hearing of staff, whether it be in the classroom or office area. Any separations will be documented by staff and parents will be notified if a child is separated from the group.

Children who exhibit persistent unacceptable behavior may also have restrictions placed on them regarding attendance on field trips and special events. We use a behavior contract in these cases which requires the parent to agree to pick up the child at the field trip site if the child's behavior becomes unsafe.

Our policies are consistent with those used in the Spring Lake Park Schools and their programs.

Prone restraint prohibition. A prone restraint is a physical hold or mechanical restraint that places a person in a face-down position. New requirements for all licensed and certified programs prohibit the use of prone restraints except in very specific brief instances. These exceptions include: 

·       a person rolling into a prone position during a restraint if the person is restored to a non-prone position as quickly as possible; 

·       holding a person briefly in a prone restraint to apply mechanical restraints if the person is restored to a non-prone position as quickly as possible; and 

·       holding a person briefly in a prone restraint to allow staff to safely exit a seclusion room. 

Contraindicated restraint prohibition. Programs must not use any type of restraint that is contraindicated for a person's known medical or psychological conditions. In this context, “contraindicated” means the restraint could be harmful for children with certain medical or psychological conditions. If a restraint is contraindicated for a given child, it means the child’s medical or psychological conditions rule out the use of that restraint due to the harm that would be caused. An assessment of any contraindications must occur prior to using restraints on a person and the program must document this determination. 

Under certain circumstances you may be asked to remove your child from Learning Ventures for a specified length of time. These include:

• Any unsafe behavior or actions directed at self or others.
• Physical or verbal threats directed at staff.

The procedures that will be followed are:

• Child will be given adequate cues (warnings) that behavior is unacceptable/unsafe.
• Child will be immediately separated from group if exhibiting unsafe behavior.
• Parent will be called (if possible) at any point the Site Manager, designated appointee, or Coordinator deems necessary.
• If behavior continues or is of violent nature, the parent will be called to come and remove child. If the behavior is of a violent nature and the parent cannot be reached the local police department will be called.
• The length of time of suspension will be determined by the program site manager/program coordinator.
• Multiple suspensions could result in removal from program.

Parents must call Learning Ventures to report any illness to their child. If your child develops a communicable disease, please call within 24 hours so Learning Ventures can alert other parents by on-site post and/or electronic communication. Parents will be notified on same day. Child’s identity will remain confidential.

Exclusion of Sick Children and Infectious Disease Outbreak Control

• Parents will be called to pick-up children at any time for the following conditions.
• Illness or contagious condition which has not had sufficient treatment to reduce the health risk to others.
• Chicken pox until the child is no longer infectious or the lesions are crusted over.
• Vomiting more than one time since admission that day.
• Three or more abnormally loose stools since admission that day.
• Contagious conjunctivitis or pus draining from the eye.
• Bacterial infection such as streptococcal pharyngitis or impetigo and has not completed 24 hours of antimicrobial therapy.
• Unexplained lethargy.
• Lice, ringworm, or scabies that is untreated and contagious to others.
• Temperature of 100 degrees F axillary or higher temperature of undiagnosed origin before fever reducing medication is given.
• Undiagnosed rash or rash attributable to a contagious illness or condition.
• Significant respiratory distress.
• Unable to participate in program activities with reasonable comfort.
• Requiring more attention than the program staff can provide without compromising the health and safety of other children in care.

In the event of illness or injury during Learning Ventures hours, the parent/guardian of the child will be contacted immediately by phone. In cases where the parent/guardian is unable to be reached, the person identified as the responsible party in emergency situations will be contacted.

When isolation of a child is necessary due to communicable illness, the child will rest away from the other children until parent/guardian arrives. The child will remain under supervision of staff.

If a child shows signs of illness during the night or in the morning, DO NOT bring him/her to Learning Ventures. Children should be fever-free for 24 hours (without medication) before returning to Learning Ventures. If a parent needs to request that a child refrain from outside activities, then he/she is too sick to be at Learning Ventures.

Per Minnesota Statutes 142C.10 and Chapter 260E, all Certified Center staff are mandated to report maltreatment of minors. Staff must report suspected abuse and neglect outside of the center to their local county authority within 24 hours. A person mandated to report physical or sexual abuse or neglect occurring within a certified center shall report the information to the Department of Children, Youth and Families commissioner.

The Certified Center certification holder must inform the commissioner within 24 hours of the death of a child in the program, and any injury to a child in the program that required treatment by a physician or advanced practice registered nurse. The certification holder must use the “Child Care Center Serious Injury and Death Reporting Form” from the MN DCYF web pages to make a report.

A record of student immunizations, or applicable exemptions, is required from families by the first date of child’s attendance. For students enrolled in Spring Lake Park Schools, Learning Ventures staff will have access to immunization records on file with the District.

A signed medical release statement (permission form) from parent or legal guardian must accompany any medication that is to be administered at Learning Ventures. Medication will be given only with signed permission form which is available from staff.

Permission is needed to administer prescription medicine, non-prescription medicine, diapering product, sunscreen lotion, and insect repellant. Non-prescription medicine, diapering product, sunscreen lotion, and insect repellant are administered according to the manufacturer’s instructions unless provided written instructions by a licensed health professional to use the product differently.

Prescription medicine must be in a pharmacy bottle with the following information listed on the label: name of drug, prescription number, physician's name, child’s first and last name, dosage prescribed, date of issue, and directions for use. Medicine will be given only to the child whose name is on the label, will not be given after an expiration date on the label, and will be returned to the child’s parent or legal guardian or destroyed, if unused.

Over-the-counter medication (Tylenol, cough syrup, lotion) can only be given/used with a parents' permission statement. This statement should include directions/instructions from the parent.

First dosage of medication must be given at home.

Staff will store medicines, insect repellants, and diapering products according to directions on the original container.

Administration of medication will be documented with child’s first and last name, name of medication or prescription number, date, time, dosage, and name and signature of the person who administered the medicine. This documentation will be available to the child’s parent or legal guardian.

Parent or legal guardian is required to submit written documentation of any known allergies before child is admitted for care. Allergy information will be maintained for any child with a known allergy, including a description of the allergy, specific triggers, avoidance techniques, and symptoms of an allergic reaction; and procedures for responding to an allergic reaction, including medication, dosages, and a doctor’s contact information.

Staff will be informed of each child’s current allergy information. At least annually, and when a change is made to allergy-related information in a child’s record, staff will be informed. Documentation that staff were informed of the child’s current allergy information must be kept on site.

A child’s allergy information will be available at all times, including on-site, when on field trips, or during transportation. Food allergy information must be readily available to staff in the area where food is prepared and served to the child.

Medical Emergencies     In the event of a medical emergency, staff will take necessary steps in obtaining care for the child. Attempt to contact parent/guardian. In a life-threatening emergency, 911 will be called first.

If the parent is unable to be reached, staff will contact Unity Hospital for emergency medical care. Our primary objective is to obtain medical treatment. In case of emergency, transportation to a hospital will be via an emergency vehicle.

BECAUSE ACCIDENTS DO HAPPEN TO CHILDREN, IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE HAVE TELEPHONE NUMBERS WHERE YOU CAN BE REACHED DURING THE DAY. Parents who are students must leave a number where they can be reached in emergencies.

Procedures for Minor Injuries     All staff complete First Aid training to comply with Minnesota DHS Child Care Rule Three. In the event of minor injuries, program staff will treat the injured child according to Spring Lake Park Schools’ first aid policies. An accident report will be completed, and parents will be notified of the incident.

Recording Accidents, Injuries, and Incidents     An accident report form is on file in the Learning Ventures rooms for recording all participant and staff accidents or injuries, however incidental the occurrence may seem. The parent/guardian must sign the completed accident form and a copy will be available to the parent upon request. The accident report will be kept on file for one year.

Learning Ventures program staff will ensure the areas used by a child are clean and in good repair, and the furniture and equipment are structurally sound and is appropriate to the age and size of a child who uses the area.

Hazardous items including but not limited to sharp objects, medicines, cleaning supplies, poisonous plants, and chemicals are out of reach of a child.

Bodily fluids, and other potentially infectious fluids, will be handled and disposed of safely by using gloves, disinfecting surfaces that come into contact with potentially infectious bodily fluids, and using securely sealed plastic bags to dispose of bodily fluid.

Learning Ventures program does NOT transport children. (SLP Schools - District Transportation will be used for field trips.)

A Certified Center that chooses to transport children must ensure that the driver of the vehicle holds a valid driver’s license, appropriate to the vehicle driven. A Certified Center must comply with all seat belt and child passenger restraint system requirements under sections 169.685 and 169.686 of Minnesota Statute 142C.11, SUBD.6.