Purpose & Goals

The goal of "In Christ's Care" (ICC) is to provide a supervised Christian before and after care which encourages Christian values through Bible stories, prayer before snack, character education, Christian music and videos, and positive Christian leadership and reinforcement. Time for independent homework completion will be available as well as supervised crafts, games and recreational activities. ICC is a Christian Latch Key program sponsored by Messiah Lutheran Church. The church saw a need for good quality before and after school care to benefit working parents. A partnership between Messiah Lutheran and Carlyle Unit #1 has fulfilled this vision. Our aim is not to promote our church denomination, but to share the Gospel of Christ with the children of the Carlyle community. Our intention is to provide an environment embracing Christian values such as forgiveness, caring, empathy and compassion in an effort to allow each child to explore their God-given individual gifts. In today's world, kids are bombarded with negative advertisements, music, and television programming. We feel that the only way to combat the negative effects of these things is to replace them with positive, Christian examples.

Hours of Operation and Eligibility

ICC will be in operation from 6:45 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on school attendance days. All children who are in Carlyle School District, grades K through 4th grade, are eligible to attend. Siblings in 5th or 6th grade will be considered if space is available. Admission to the program is on a first-come/first-served basis. We accept part-time as well as full-time students but charge a weekly rate. (Ages served - 5 years to 14 years)

Early Dismissal Days

We will be in session for all early dismissal days. Care will begin at dismissal time (11:30 or 2:00) and continue until 6:00 p.m. as usual at no additional tuition charge. However, on days when students are dismissed before lunch, a small fee will be charged to provide lunch, payable in advance.

Registration Procedures

A non-refundable $30.00 registration/insurance fee is required for registration. This will ensure a space for your child and provide a $5,000 accident/health policy while at ICC which will be secondary to your own health insurance. In addition, the fee will help pay for supplies for the year. Tho register your child, complete and return the form at the back of this arent handbook.

Program Cost

The following fee schedule has been set for the 2006-2007 school year:

Before School Program
(6:45 a.m.- 8:00 a.m.)

$20.00 per week
$15.00 per week for each additional sibling

PART TIME Before School Program

2 day: $10.00 per week, $8.00 per week for each additional sibling
3 day: $15.00 per week, $12.00 per week for each additional sibling

After School Program
(3:00 p.m.- 6:00 p.m.)

$35.00 per week
$30.00 per week for each additional sibling

PART TIME After School Program

2 day: $16.00 per week, $14.00 per week for each additional sibling
3 day: $24.00 per week, $21.00 per week for each additional sibling

BOTH Before & After School Program

$50.00 per week
$40.00 per week for each additional sibling

PART TIME Before & After School Program

2 day: $22.00 per week, $18.00 per week for each additional sibling
3 day: $33.00 per week, $27.00 per week for each additional sibling

Health and Illness Procedures

All children are required to have a current physical form on file. You can sign a form giving us written permission to have a copy of their current school physical. TB TEST IS REQUIRED BY DCFS.

Program Schedule

Before School

Parents arriving at school in the morning will walk their child into the Latchkey building and sign their child into the program. The before-school program will foster a relaxed, calm atmosphere in order to prepare for the school day. Students will be reading, resting, listening to music, possibly finishing homework, playing table games and working on puzzles. At 7:40 a.m., a brief devotion or thought for the day will be shared. At 7:50 a.m., the students will be walked to the cafeteria where school personnel will sign for them. You will be given a sheet with this transfer information to sign.

After school

Upon entrance into the program, attendance will be taken. ICC is not legally responsible for your child in the afternoon until he/she reports to our staff and attendance is taken. Please be sure to emphasize the importance of going to the cafeteria immediately after school to meet ICC staff who will take students to the ICC building. A short rest and relaxation period with snack will take place upon entrance into the program. Following the relaxation period, a Bible activity will be shared with ALL students. This religious component can include Bible stories, Christian games or activities followed by recreation- outside, weather permitting. Then, students will rotate among various activities. All rotated activities are offered on a free choice basis. Snack will be offered to all students, buffet style. Though ICC encourages making good choices and completing homework during our program, ICC offers homework time on a free choice basis, per licensing standards.

Homework
Arts & Crafts
Music
Dramatic/Creative Play
Math/Science
Literacy & Computers
Games/Puzzles
Fine Motor Skills

Please consult with ICC personnel for official information regarding the Latch Key program.