Downtown Elementary

Daycare Center Program

To address the needs of our children and parents in our community, the Bakersfield City School District provides a childcare program at the Downtown Elementary School for students in grades K-8 at the school.  This self-supporting program offers a safe, healthy environment for students.  The childcare center staff is committed to providing quality care and excellent supervision for all children enrolled in the program.

Childcare activities designed to enrich the academic experience of our students are provided daily.  The Kindercare program supports the social and academic teachings of the Kindergarten classes.  The daycare program provides nine activity leaders to instruct students in fine art, performing art, computer applications, singing, and physical education.  First period homework is available to all daycare students.  During this time an Activity Leader will assist with homework assignments.  However, homework is the direct responsibility of the student and his or her parents.  Imbedded in the afternoon are opportunities for organized games, free play, and outdoor activities.  A nutritious snack is provided daily for all participants.

Child Care Hours

The childcare center is open between the hours of 6:45 a.m. to 7:25 a.m. and after school until 5:45 p.m.  Fog delays and minimum days will not affect the operating hours of the childcare center.  During these days, the center will open and close at regular times.

Center Holidays

The child care center will be closed during the following required employee holidays in the 2007-2008 school year:

September 3: Labor Day
November 12: Veteran's Day
November 22 - 23: Thanksgiving Holiday
December 24 - January 4: Winter Break
January 21: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
February 11: Lincoln's Day
February 18: Washington's Day
March 17-24: Spring Break
May 26: Memorial Day

An annual (yearly) $40.00 non-refundable registration fee must be paid at the time of registration.  Payments must be paid in full PRIOR to beginning a new program (before and after school child care).  A one-time registration fee will also be charged to parents on their 5th use of the drop-in daycare option.

Payment of Fees

The childcare program is self-supporting and fees must be paid on time.  Payments are due and payable the first day of each month.  PAYMENTS WILL BE CONSIDERED LATE IF THEY ARE NOT RECEIVED BY THE FIFTH (5th) OF EACH MONTH.  A $10.00 charge will be added to all late payments.  IF PAYMENT IS NOT RECEIVED BY THE 10th, YOUR ACCOUNT WILL BE CONSIDERED DELIQUENT.  Beginning the 11th of each month, students with outstanding debts will not be allowed to return to daycare until the debt is cleared.  Accounts that become delinquent more than twice in one school year may result in the child’s dismissal from the daycare program permanently.

PAYMENTS ARE TO BE MADE AT THE SCHOOL SITE ONLY.  No receipts will be generated or mailed from the district office. Payments are to be made either with a check or money order payable to Bakersfield City School District (BCSD).  Your canceled check will be your receipt.  NO CASH PAYMENTS ARE ACCEPTED. NO EXCEPTIONS.

If your check is returned for non-sufficient funds or closed account, you will be required to cover the check with a money order or cashiers check within three days (72 hours) from date of notification letter (sent to you by the district office) and pay a $5.00 service charge for each returned check.  Failure to cover your check will result in your child being dropped from the program.

No refunds will be given for missed days or if you leave within the month due to illness, vacations, moving, etc.

The last page of the daycare information indicates the current fees for the 2007-2008 school year. We anticipate keeping fees the same all year, but it may be necessary to adjust them to maintain the program.

Financial assistance may be available through Community Connection for Child Care.  Their telephone number is 861-5200.

Drop-in  Daycare Option

A daycare fee of $15.00 per day is required for use of the daycare facility from the parents of students who do not regularly participate in the daycare program.  Unlike with the regular daycare program, payment for the drop-in daycare is due prior to your use of the daycare facility or at the time that you pick your child up from daycare.  You are allowed to use the daycare without paying a registration fee up to the 4th use of the daycare drop-in option.  On your 5th use of the drop-in option, you will be charged a $40 registration fee along with the $15 drop-in fee.   

Delivery and Pick-Up of Children

Parents may sign children into the child care center beginning at 6:45 a.m. CHILDREN MAY NOT BE LEFT AT THE SCHOOL BEFORE 6:45 A.M. STUDENTS WHO ARE DROPPED OFF PRIOR TO THE OPENING OF THE DAYCARE WILL NOT BE UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF AN ADULT.  Parents may be asked to remove their child from the before school daycare for violation of this policy. AN ADULT MUST SIGN IN THEIR CHILD/CHILDREN (please do not drop off at the curb).  All children must be picked up by 5:45 p.m. each day.  Parents who arrive late will be assessed $1.00 for each minute beyond 5:45 p.m. as determined by the childcare time clock; THERE WILL BE NO GRACE PERIOD.  On arrival, parents will be given a late notice form with the fee to be paid within three working days.  After two (2) late pick-ups, parents may be notified of potential dismissal from the daycare program.  When parents are late, the manager will contact the parent or guardian listed on the child’s emergency contact card.  If no adult is accessible within a reasonable time period following the end of the childcare center day LEGAL AUTHORITIES WILL BE CONTACTED FOR ASSISTANCE.

When delivering or picking up a child, parents must come into the childcare center and sign the child in and/or out.  ONLY AUTHORIZED PERSONS AS LISTED ON THE DAYCARE’S WHITE EMERGENCY CARD MAY TAKE A CHILD FROM THE SCHOOL.  There is no limit to the number of persons that may be listed on the white card.  The card may only be amended by the parent/guardian whose signature appears on the card if both parties do not reside with the child.  

Emergencies and Emergency Contact

In the event of serious accidents or injuries at school, students will be given first aid and every effort will be made to immediately contact the parents.  Therefore, we must have current home, work and emergency contact phone numbers (pager and cell phone numbers are helpful).  Please call the daycare office to update these numbers.

Medication at School

State laws and district procedures govern the administering of medication to students while at school or at the daycare center.  Before daycare personnel can administer any medication, a “Physician’s Authorization for the Administration of Medicine by School Personnel,” form MUST be on file.  This form provides specific instructions regarding your child's medication and must be signed by the parent and the child's doctor.  Medication must be in a container with the pharmacist's label attached.  The label must include a description of the medication, the dosage, when it is to be taken and the prescribing doctor's name.

Student Behavior

All children are required to adhere to the rules set forth in the district’s Guide for Parents and Students.  Disciplinary incidents may result in suspension from the daycare program and/or regular school. Consistent disciplinary incidents may result in the removal of the child from the daycare program.  Participating families should be willing to work with the childcare staff and communicate with the childcare manager if problems or questions arise.

IF THE PRINCIPAL SUSPENDS YOUR CHILD FROM SCHOOL FOR ONE DAY OR MORE, YOUR CHILD WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO ATTEND DAYCARE DURING THE SUSPENSION.

Please refer to the Discipline section of this handbook for more information.  

Tax I.D. Number

This is the number used on your income tax form for childcare:  95-9000671.

Dropping a Student from the Program

If you plan to drop your child from the childcare program, A TWO-WEEK NOTICE IS REQUIRED.