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 Location:
Putnam Valley Elementary School and Putnam Valley Middle School

Director: Lisa Kroohs

Assistant Director: Annie Santaniello

Days: Operates on All School Days

Time: 7:00 - 9:00 AM and 2:30 - 6:00 PM

Ages: 5 - 12 Years

Place: Putnam Valley Elementary School

INTRODUCTION

The Putnam Valley Children's Center is a state registered school aged childcare program designed to meet the needs of working parents and guardians who need a convenient, safe environment for their children while they work. The Center, held at the Elementary and Middle School, specializes in taking care of your children by providing them with sports, games, arts and crafts, homework help, and a snack.

The Children's Center is available to all school age children regardless of race, creed, ethnic origin, or disability.

PHILOSOPHY

The Center is designed to provide an informal atmosphere that is safe and enjoyable for your child. The goal of the staff is to nurture the social, emotional, and physical development of all the children through a variety of structured and non-structured activities. The interaction of the children with the staff, and each other, will encourage the development of self-confidence and self-respect, as well as responsibility and respect for others.

HOURS OF OPERATION

The PV Children's Center is available on all Elementary School and Middle School half-day dismissals. The Center operates on all school days from 7:00-9:00 am and 3:30 пїЅ 6:00 pm, at the Putnam Valley Elementary School for grades K-4 and 2:30-6:00 pm at the Putnam Valley Middle School for grades 5-7.  The Center also provides full day care during the Winter and Spring school recess at the Putnam Valley Elementary School.

PROGRAM FORMAT

The program of recreational activities is designed to provide a relaxing leisure time format of structured and non-structured age-appropriate activities. The children will be able to participate in arts and crafts, team sports, quiet play (e.g., table games, board games), homework assistance, and playground activities. The Center will provide children with a daily snack. The Center utilizes the Elementary School Cafeteria, Gym, Library, and Fields for grades K-4. At the Middle School the Center utilizes the Home and Careers room, Library, Gym, and classrooms.

 24 Hours Advance
Notice is Required
Before Joining Programs 

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Please contact Lisa Kroohs for registration procedures at:

Children's Center Phone:
(845) 528-4911 Office Phone: 845-526-3292

ADMISSIONS:
New students may enroll in the program at any time during the school year. In order to secure your childпїЅs enrollment you must:

Complete and sign the Children's Center application form.

Complete a Tuition Statement with an Accompanying payment

Read and Sign the Parent Handbook Statement.

These forms are available at the Putnam Valley Children's Center or at the Parks and Recreation Office. 24 HOURS ADVANCE NOTICE IS REQUIRED BEFORE JOINING THE PROGRAM. 

COMMUNICATIONS
The success of the Center is based in part on the successful communication between the staff, parent, and child. Parents are often able to provide valuable insight that may affect how a child will behave when at the Center. The Center Director is available throughout the year to discuss any questions or concerns you may have. Please call the Parks and Recreation Office to make an appointment at 845-526-3292.

BEHAVIOR
The enjoyment and safety of all the children attending the Center is the primary concern of the staff.  The same behavior that is expected during school is expected of the children at the Center. Parents will be notified of any problems by the Center Director.

Enrollment at the Center is a privilege which may be removed, if a childпїЅs behavior warrants suspension, or expulsion. The Children's Center management reserves the right to deny entry to or remove any participant from any program due to disciplinary problems, or to avoid creating a staffing hardship situation which is beyond reasonable expectations of the Putnam Valley Parks and Recreation Department.

ATTENDANCE
An accurate record of each children's attendance is important for the safety of the child. Each parent is responsible for completing a monthly tuition calendar that enables the Center Director to generate a schedule of attendance for your child in advance. This is necessary to maintain the Staff/Child ratio as required by law.
It is imperative that the Center be notified if your child will be missing a session due to another function. The Elementary Center has an answering machine at 845-528-4911. The Middle School site also has an answering machine at (845) 656-1631. The Center Director can also be reached during the day at 845-526-3292.

ILLNESS
     A) If a child is absent from school or sent home ill, the Center will be notified.
     B) If a child becomes ill during the time he/she is at the Center, the parent will be notified for pick-up. If the parent is unavailable, the emergency contact will be notified to pick up the child. This is for the safety of the child and others at the Center.

MEDICATIONS
Any medication to be administered at the Center must be accompanied by a written Medication Consent Form. This form must be completed by the parent/guardian and the childпїЅs Health Care Provider before the medication can be administered. These forms are available at the Center.

DROP OFF / PICK UP PROCEDURES
AM Session: Children are dropped off between 7 am and 9 am at the cafeteria. Attendance will be taken at that time.

PM Session: The Center closes promptly at 6:00 pm. After 6:00 pm there will be a late pick-up fee .Two staff members will remain with your child until he/she is picked up.

SCHOOL EMERGENCY CLOSINGS
The following procedures are in effect in the event of emergency closings:

A) School Early Dismissal
In the event that the Putnam Valley Schools close early due to inclement weather, THE CENTER WILL CLOSE. The Children will be transported home according to the early dismissal plans established by the school.

B) Full Day/Normal School Dismissal
In the event that all after school activities in the Putnam Valley Schools are canceled due to inclement weather, the Center will operate until 5:00 pm.

UNSCHEDULED ATTENDANCE DAYS
A registered child may attend on an unscheduled basis providing there is available space for that day. The Center must be notified at least 24 hours in advance. No child will be admitted to the program without 24 hours advance notice or a pre-approved agreement with the Center Director for a variable schedule.

TUITION PAYMENT AND POLICIES
1) Monthly tuition statements will be available by the 15^th of the month at both the Center and the Parks & Rec Office.
 
2) Monthly tuition payments are due by the 20^th of the month prior to the month attending
     --If the 20^th falls on a weekend or a school holiday the tuition is due on the next business day that the center is open thereafter.
     --If your child is not scheduled to attend or is absent on the day the tuition is due, you must still submit the payment or be charged a late fee.

3) A 10% late fee should be charged for any late payment.

4) Payments can be made at the Center or the Recreation Office.  Credit card payments may only be made at Parks and Recreation.

5) Unscheduled attendance days and late pickup fees are expected at the time services are received.