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Enrichment Kindergarten
Welcome to the St. Francis of Assisi Enrichment Kindergarten program. The Enrichment Kindergarten program is structured to give parents the opportunity to personalize their child’s Kindergarten experience.
The Enrichment Kindergarten program offers both morning and afternoon sessions. Families can choose to attend Enrichment Kindergarten full-time or part time.
This program supports the core curriculum introduced in the Kindergarten. Educational games and activities, journal writing, dramatic play, cooking, art, and physical education activities provide children with the opportunity to re-visit and explore the concepts taught in Kindergarten.
The Kindergarten and Enrichment Kindergarten staff work together to ensure continuity between the two program components. The themes from the Kindergarten carry over into the Enrichment Kindergarten day.
Daily Program
The Enrichment Kindergarten program offers large group, small group and individual activities each day. Some activities are offered as a choice and some are completed by all children. Daily gym, outdoor and free play provides balance to the day.
Circle Time offers opportunities for whole-group activities. Books read during circle time extend the themes from Kindergarten. During the course of the year the children will read the children’s Bible and the Saint book. Trivia games and word games help children practice and master literacy skills.
Center Time offers many opportunities to learn and grow! Individual and small group work led by a teacher help children practice and master the literacy and math concepts that are introduced in Kindergarten. Projects and special activities support the theme. Dramatic play activities help children practice daily life topics. Partner play encourages cooperation. Individual activities build self-esteem and confidence. Academic games make learning fun and allow children to practice following directions, taking turns and playing by established rules.
Optional Extended Day Experience
Families at St. Francis have the option of enrolling in either before-school (6:45am-7:45am) or after-school (3:00pm-6:15pm) Extended School Program sessions. The before-school time allows parents to get an early start on the day and gives children a calm and quiet entry to the school day. The after-school program supports working parents by providing a safe environment where children can learn in a less structured setting.
Staffing
The Enrichment Kindergarten program is staffed with qualified adults who have had previous experience working with young children. The center staff meets or exceeds the Child Day Care Licensing qualifications.
The ESP Director has a Bachelor’s degree in recreation with a business minor, a Bachelor’s degree in education and a Master’s degree in early childhood education. The ESP Director has had extensive experience working with children in various settings.
The center meets or exceeds the Child Day Care Licensing staff/child ratio requirements. The state requires a minimum ratio of 1 staff member for every 20 children at the kindergarten level. Our goal is to maintain a 1 to 10 ratio in the Enrichment Kindergarten room. Only one center staff member may be on site during the before-school program or at the end of the Extended School Program because of the small number of children enrolled. However, other school personnel are in the building and available in case of an emergency.
Teachers participate in staff meetings, in-service training and special workshops to increase their skills. All of the staff members have first aid and CPR training.
Finger print and backgroun checks are done on all new staff hires in accordance with the Diocese of Lansing and the Department of Human Services guidelines. Reference checks are previous employer checks are conducted at the time of hire.
All new staff attend a three-hour training titled PROTECTING GOD'S CHILDREN. This training reinforces proper behavior towards children, offers guidelines for maintaining a safe and appropriate environment and provides guidelines for dealing with difficult issues. Throughout the year staff continue to participate in enrichment training to ensure that the center maintains a safe environment for the children we serve.
Fees for 2009-2010
Fees are charged on a per-day basis. A higher fee is charged for Drop-In care. Families are expected to pay for all scheduled days.
Registration Fee: $70.00 per child for new child
Renewal Fee: $25.00 per child
Before-School Care (6:45-7:45am): $3.25 per day
Full-Time Enrichment Kindergarten: $1,600 per year/$160.00 per month
(7:45-11:45am or 11:00-3:00pm)
Part-Time Enrichment Kindergarten: $11.90 per day; $12.90 per day drop-in
(7:45-11:45am or 11:00-3:00pm)
Extended School Program (3:00-6:15pm): $11.90 per day
$12.90 per day drop-in
No-School Day and Vacation Days: Prices will vary depending on the program offered and the time scheduled.