Program Activities

The program will vary from school to school, according to the interests of the children and talents of the staff. All programs will include home-work and snack time, as well as recreational, academic, and enrichment activities.

Please make sure your child is dressed appropriately for active play.  Tennis shoes and a change of clothes are recommended.

Notification of Absences

If your child is at school but will be absent from EDEP, you must notify the school office or EDEP staff by 12:00 noon. If your child is absent from school, he/she will not be expected to attend EDEP and you will not need to call. Absences from the EDEP will be verified daily against the school absentee list. Children must be in school no later than noon to attend EDEP. A child absent from school MAY NOT attend EDEP.

If a child attended school and is expected to come to the EDEP but is not present at roll call, the coordinator will make every effort to notify the parents. The call will alert parents that their child did not come to the EDEP and will determine where the child is expected to be.

This policy is for the safety of the children attending the EDEP. It is important that you discuss with your children the importance of going to the program on days they are scheduled to attend, and that they know which days they are supposed to attend. This information must be given to the child’s classroom teacher. Any changes must be in writing and given to the teacher, as well as the EDEP staff.

Your cooperation in implementing this policy is very important. It will allow the staff to identify children who mistakenly get on the bus to go home or go to a friend’s house without permission. Because this is a safety issue, parents who do not follow this policy will be asked to remove their children from the program after the third call to locate their child. Children who repeatedly “skip” EDEP and go elsewhere after school will also be dismissed from the program.

Staff

All staff members must meet established educational and experience requirements for the position held and participate in training. Each employee must undergo state and local criminal background checks and drug testing. All on-site coordinators are certified in CPR and First Aid. The program provides a staff: child ratio of 1:20, which is well below the maximum licensing standards.

Emergencies and Illnesses

In the event of a medical emergency, reasonable effort will be made to contact parents/guardians for specific instructions. If parent cannot be reached, the coordinator will take necessary action. The action on the part of the program personnel does not obligate the personnel or the school to assume financial responsibility for the treatment of the child. The EDEP does provide accident insurance for participants. Claim forms and instructions are provided by the On-Site Coordinator. If a child becomes ill while attending the EDEP, the child’s parents/guardians will be contacted to pick the child up from the program. Refusal to pick up your child promptly could result in dismissal from EDEP.

Medication

EDEP personnel are not authorized to store or administer prescription medication and do not have access to medication stored in the school clinic. You are encouraged to ask your physician to prescribe dosage intervals that fall outside of EDEP hours. However, if the school nurse is still on campus during EDEP hours, EDEP may attempt to facilitate by delivering the student to the nurse for medication.

Notification of Changes

It is the parent's responsibility to notify the On-Site Coordinator if there are changes to the home address, phone numbers, custody arrangements, who may pick up the child (ren), etc.  To ensure that your child's records are kept up-to-date, it is extremely important that you immediately notify the On-Site Coordinator of any changes.  Emergency Phone numbers must be kept current.  A local phone number must be provided. Long distance calling is not available.

Changes at home should be communicated so that staff will be prepared to deal with any changes in behavior.

Parent Communication

Daily contact between parents and teachers is an important part of the program. By sharing information concerning your child’s activities and welfare, we can work together to better meet the child’s needs. It is extremely important that any change in address, emergency numbers, etc. be kept current.

Newsletters are sent home as needed to keep parents informed of upcoming events, programs activities, and health and safety issues. Conferences with the EDEP staff can be arranged by the parent or staff as needed.

Discipline Policy

All children in the EDEP will be expected and required to follow the Code of Student Conduct, EDEP rules, and any individual school rules. The School Board of Alachua County reserves the right to dismiss any child from the EDEP for repeated, disruptive behavior. Parents must remember that their child’s participation in EDEP is a privilege, not a right.

Discipline Action

The steps listed below will be followed by the EDEP staff in the event of a disciplinary problem.

1. Child will be given a warning.
2. Child will be placed in time out.
3. Conduct report will be written, which the parent must sign and return. Failure to sign form may result in dismissal. The conduct report may include being suspended from EDEP up to one week.
4. When two conduct reports have been written a child may be dismissed or a parent conference may be requested. Refusal to attend conference will result in dismissal.
5. At parent conference, child may be suspended for days, weeks, or permanently, depending on the severity of the behavior.
6. Child may be permanently dismissed from any EDEP program.
7. A child dismissed from one program will not be allowed to attend another program.

Dismissal from EDEP

The EDEP reserves the right to refuse service for the following reasons:

1. Failure of parent or child to follow EDEP policies, procedures, or rules.
2. Two written conduct reports or serious misbehavior that warrants immediate dismissal. (Children leaving supervised area will result in immediate dismissal)
3. Parents or children are physically or verbally abusive to staff
4. Failure to pay fees as scheduled. (One week late.)
5. Failure to provide updated information and records.
6. Failure to notify staff if child will be absent from EDEP. (Three times)
7. Failure to adhere to closing time. (Two times.) Pick up after 7:00pm will result in immediate dismissal.

The EDEP on-site coordinator and/or principal have the authority to suspend or remove a participant without warning if the misbehavior or incident warrants