Kinder Care and Extension Program

St. Mary School Kinder Care is a program created to fill the needs of the kindergarten children of today’s working family. Ours is a caring environment for children away from home. The program offers a balance of educational and recreational activities. Our activities provide opportunities for the children to have a fun filled day to enrich their spiritual, academic and social success.

Below is an outline of the daily activities that we present specifically to our children in our Kinder Care Program. While there are many varied activities, our primary focus is always on creating a nurturing, loving and familiar atmosphere that the younger child needs. Consequently, we regard this as a guide, which we freely tailor to those needs as the situation calls for it.

Our Extension Director, Mrs. Sally Dotters, is always available to you to discuss the individual needs of your child and to address your concerns.

A typical morning in Kinder Care

• 8:00 - 8:15 Circle time- Morning prayer, pledge, sharing and preview of the events of the day.
• 8:15 - 8:45 Outdoor activities
• 8:45 - 9:00 Snack time
• 9:00 - 9:45 Exploration time- Interest areas such as art, playhouse, puzzles, building blocks, legos and games with numbers and the alphabet.
• 9:45 - 10:25 Rest time. Children listen to music and stories are read.
• 10:25 - 11:05 Recess in gym with organized games.
• 11:05 - 12:05 Both Morning and Afternoon Kindergarten come together for recess and lunch.
• 12:05 p.m. Transition time as Morning Kindergarten comes to the Extension room and Afternoon Kindergarten goes to the Kindergarten classroom.
• When the Morning Kindergarten class enters the Kinder Care Program, they follow a schedule similar to the one above until 3:05 p.m., when they are picked up or enter Afternoon Extension.

Extension Program

For families who need before or after school care, St. Mary School offers a dynamic Extension Program on school days. This program provides a safe, structured environment before and after school. Children are not only supervised by a qualified, caring staff -- but are also engaged in enriching activities and free play. Arts and crafts, science, games, language and music activities are planned for the students. A healthy snack and homework time is provided each afternoon.

A Typical Afternoon in Extension

• 3:00 – 3:30 - As school is dismissed, students check in to Extension.
  Snack is served in the cafeteria.
• 3:30 – 4:00 - Study Hall for all students with homework
• 4:00 – 5:00 - Students choose arts and crafts in the Extension room, or sports and outside games on the playground.
• 5:00 – 6:00 - Story time for Kindergarten through 3 rd Grade in the Kindergarten room.
• 5:30 – 6:00 - Ongoing departure time. Grades 4 through 8, Board games and Legos in the Extension room.
• 6:00 pm - Extension program closes for the day.

Hours and Fees

The Extension Program opens at 6:45 a.m. and closes at 6 p.m. daily. The Extension Program may close early on days prior to holidays. Please check the school calendar for details.

The fees for Extension fall into three categories: full time (9+ hours per week), half time (5-8 hours per week) and less than 5 hours per week. The tuition tier structure (parishioner, active Catholic, non-Catholic) applies to Extension fees as well.

Payments are due in monthly installments through the FACTS Tuition Management Program, or may be paid in full at the time of registration. A 4% discount is applied if fees are paid in full at registration. Extension fees are based on a yearly rate, payable in 10 equal installments. The amount is not prorated based on a child’s attendance.

There is an initial non-refundable registration fee of $75 per student if registering prior to September 1st. After September 1st, the registration fee is $100.

Late Policy After 6:00 p.m.

You are considered late after 6:00 p.m. and time is based on the Extension Program's Clock. Parents will be charged $1.00 per minute starting at 6:00 p.m. The amount charged will not exceed $20.00. Parents are asked to pay this fee before their child re-enters the program the next day. After three instances of late pickup after 6:00 p.m., the parents must meet with the Program Director and develop a plan for pickup.

To register for Extension, or to tour the program, please call Sally Dotters, our Extension Director at 452-7200.