Understanding Who Runs Madison CT After School Care Programs

For parents in Madison, Connecticut, finding reliable and enriching after-school care for their children is a top priority. This guide addresses frequently asked questions to provide clarity and assurance about the programs available through Your After School, a leading provider in the area. We aim to give you a comprehensive understanding of how these programs operate, who is involved, and what you can expect for your child.

General Information About Madison CT After School Care

How Do Madison CT After School Programs Work?

Your After School programs in Madison, CT, are designed to be convenient and engaging for students and parents alike. Classes, typically lasting an hour, are held directly at your child’s school, making the transition from the regular school day seamless. These programs are offered either before or after the regular school bell times, ensuring they fit into your family’s schedule.

Alt Text: Enthusiastic elementary students participate in a colorful art project during a Madison CT after-school program, showcasing creative expression and engagement.

The instructors who lead these enriching classes are a diverse group of experienced individuals committed to education and child development. You’ll find:

School Teachers & Staff: Familiar faces your child already knows and trusts, extending their learning and care beyond the regular school day.
Parents: Engaged community members bringing their skills and passions to share with students.
Local Businesses & Art Studios: Partnerships with local experts to offer specialized classes like art, music, or STEM activities.
Nature Centers: Bringing the outdoors in with environmentally focused and nature-based programs.
Independent Professionals: Specialists in various fields, offering unique learning experiences and skill development.

Once you register your child for a program, expect to receive all program-related communications via email. To stay informed about specific program details, class schedules, and registration links, simply navigate to the “Classes at Your School” tab on our website menu. Make sure to check your spam folder just in case important updates land there.

What Are the Office Hours for Program Support?

We understand that questions and needs can arise throughout the week. Your After School is readily available to assist you during our office hours:

Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM

You can reach us via:

Phone: 888.212.3837
Email: [email protected]

While we actively monitor our inboxes outside of these hours, please allow up to 24 business hours for a response to email inquiries. We are committed to supporting busy family schedules and will get back to you as quickly as possible.

Is Financial Assistance Available for After School Programs in Madison CT?

Yes! Your After School believes that all children should have access to enriching after-school experiences. Financial assistance and scholarships are available to ensure program accessibility. For detailed information about eligibility and how to apply, please contact Your After School directly. We are dedicated to working with families to make these programs attainable for everyone.

Understanding the Registration Queue and Wait-Lists

Our registration system is designed to be fair and efficient, operating on a first-come, first-served basis. Popular programs may fill quickly, leading to a registration queue.

Registration Queue: If a program reaches its capacity, additional registrations are placed in a queue. It is essential to remain in the queue if you are placed there. Leaving the queue may result in losing your spot. Staying in the queue gives you the best chance of securing a place if one becomes available.

Wait-Lists: If no spots are immediately available, we strongly encourage families to join the wait-list. This wait-list serves several important purposes:

Gauging Demand: It helps us accurately assess the interest in specific programs.
Planning for Expansion: High wait-list numbers may prompt us to add additional class sections to accommodate more students.
Priority Registration: If we cannot place your student in the current session, wait-listed families often receive priority registration for the next session of that class.

When joining a wait-list, you may have the option to pay in advance or select ‘pay later’. If you choose to pay in advance and we are unable to enroll your student, you will receive a full refund within three weeks of the session start date.

Alt Text: Curious children enthusiastically engage in a hands-on science experiment at a Madison, CT after-school program, fostering their interest in STEM education.

Flexibility in Class Enrollment: Changes and Cancellations

Your After School understands that schedules can change. We offer flexibility regarding class changes and cancellations, with clear policies to ensure fairness for all participants.

Changing Classes:

Free Changes: Class changes are free of charge up to one week before the session start date.
Change Fee: Beginning one week prior to the session start, a $25 change fee will apply to each enrollment change.
How to Change: Please note that online changes are not available. To make a class change, contact us directly.

Late Registration:

Late Registration Period: Late registration opens one week before the session begins and remains open throughout the session at most schools.
Registration Deadline: You can register your student up until 6:00 PM the day before a class meeting.
Late Enrollment Start: Enrollments received after 6:00 PM the night before a class meeting will begin the following week’s class meeting.
Late Fee: A $25 late fee is applied to each late enrollment.

Class Fee Proration:

Prorated Fees: Yes, class fees are prorated if you join a class after it has already started, adjusting the fee to cover only the remaining class meetings.
Set-up and Administration Fee: A $5 administrative fee is included in prorated fees to cover class set-up and administration costs.

Cancellations and Refunds:

We encourage you to contact us if you are considering canceling a registration. We are committed to finding solutions and alternatives to avoid cancellation whenever possible.

Credits: Prorated credits from a canceled class can be applied to another class within the same session.
Refund Policy:
- Full Refund: Available during open registration and until one week before the first day of the session (a $25 cancellation fee applies).
- 50% Refund: From one week before the first day of the session until the 3rd class meeting.
- 70% Refund (for classes with 15+ meetings): Until the 3rd class meeting.
- 50% Refund (for classes with 15+ meetings): Until the 5th class meeting.
- No Refunds: After the 3rd class meeting (or 5th meeting for classes with 15+ meetings).
Class Schedule: Refer to your schedule for specific class meeting details to understand refund deadlines.

Absences:

Notification: Please contact us if your student will be absent from after-school care.
No Refunds for Missed Classes: Unfortunately, we cannot issue refunds for missed classes due to student absence.

School Closures and Weather-Related Cancellations

Your After School prioritizes student safety and aligns with school district policies regarding closures and delays.

School District Policy: We follow School District announcements for delays, early dismissals, and cancellations.
Delayed Opening: All morning after-school classes are canceled.
Early Dismissal: All afternoon after-school classes are canceled.
School Closure: All after-school programs are canceled.
First Cancellation: The cost of the first weather-related cancellation of a particular class is factored into the class fees and is not refunded.
Subsequent Cancellations: If the same class is canceled more than once due to school closures, refunds will be issued to customers at the end of the session for these additional cancellations.

Other Potential Class Cancellations

Class cancellations by Your After School are extremely rare. We are dedicated to ensuring programs run smoothly.

Instructor Absences and Space Challenges: In the event of instructor absence or space issues, we make every effort to hold the class. This may involve providing a substitute instructor or adjusting the class activity.
Appreciation for Understanding: We appreciate your understanding and support should any unforeseen circumstances arise that require adjustments to the program.

Important Policies: Snacks and Technology

To ensure a positive and focused environment for all students, we have a few key policies:

Snacks: Snacks are not allowed during after-school programs. Please ensure your child has a nutritious snack before or after the program as needed.
Technology Policy: To maximize engagement and minimize distractions, we ask that both instructors and students refrain from using phones, tablets, computers, and smartwatches during class time. This allows everyone to fully benefit from the program activities and interactions.

Student Arrival and Dismissal Procedures

Dismissal Process: The dismissal process varies by school. Click here to see your school’s specific information. This link will provide details on how students are dismissed and where they should be picked up.
Walking Home:
- Walker Permission: If you wish for your student to walk home after the program, you must indicate “yes” for each eligible walker when creating your account or during registration.
- Account Status: You can verify your student’s walker status in your account details.
- Changing Walker Status: To change a student’s walker status, please contact us.
- Walker Eligibility: Students must be in 3rd grade or above to be eligible to walk home unaccompanied, unless accompanied by a sibling of any age.
- Walker Consent Waiver: Click here to view the walker consent waiver terms and conditions.

Late Pick-Up Policy

Prompt Pick-Up: Prompt pick-up is essential and greatly appreciated. Our site directors have their own schedules to adhere to after program hours.
Late Pick-Up Fee: Your After School may charge caregivers of students who are picked up late a fee of $25.
Program Removal: Repeated late pick-ups may result in the student being removed from the program to ensure fairness to staff and other families.

Dependent Care Tax Credit Information

Tax Credit Eligibility: Your After School program fees may be eligible for dependent care tax credits.
Tax ID: Our Tax ID is: 46-3043744 under “Darien After School”.
Mailing Address: PO Box 919, Madison, CT. 06443

Enrollment from Outside Districted School

Districted School Programs Only: Students can only attend programs offered at the school they are districted to attend. Enrollment in programs at other schools is not permitted.

Accessing Your Child’s Schedule

Online Account: Once logged in, click on ‘Account’ in the top menu bar to access your account information and view your child’s class schedule(s). This provides a convenient way to stay organized and informed.

Health and Safety Frequently Asked Questions

Your After School prioritizes the health and safety of every student in our programs. We have comprehensive procedures and trained staff to address various situations.

Addressing Student Issues During the Program

On-Site Staff Response: If a student is unable to participate in the program for any reason (illness, injury, behavioral issue), our on-site staff will take immediate action.
Primary Contact Notification: Staff will call all primary contacts listed for the student to arrange for pick-up.
Emergency Contact Protocol: If no primary contact responds within 10 minutes, all listed emergency contacts will be called to ensure the student receives appropriate care and is safely picked up.

Emergency Procedures

Trained Staff: Our Site Directors are certified in First Aid, CPR, Epi-Pen administration, and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) use. They are prepared to handle a range of emergency situations.
911 Services: In serious emergencies, 911 emergency services will be called to provide immediate medical assistance.
Terms and Conditions: For more detailed information regarding our emergency procedures, please refer to our Terms and Conditions.

Managing Student Allergies and Medical Concerns

Allergy Notification: It is crucial that you inform us of any allergies, medical conditions, or behavioral concerns your student may have during the registration process for a class or event.
Limited Access to School Health Records: Your After School, its officers, and associates do not have access to IEPs, 504 plans, other medical information, or medications provided by parents to school health offices. Therefore, direct communication from parents is essential for us to provide appropriate care.

Program Questions and Concerns

Direct Contact for Inquiries: For all questions or concerns regarding the after-school program, please contact us directly.
Separate Entity from School District: We are a separate entity from your public school district. Please do not contact your child’s school for after-school program inquiries. Contacting Your After School directly ensures your questions are addressed promptly and accurately by the program organizers.

Class Observations

Minimize Distractions: Class observations can sometimes be disruptive to the learning environment for all students and instructors.
Observation Requests: If you wish to observe a class, please contact us in advance.
Arrangements: We will coordinate with the school, instructors, and Site Director to make arrangements for a class observation, ensuring it is done in a way that minimizes disruption and respects the learning process.

Support for Special Needs

Inclusive Programs: Yes, Your After School is committed to supporting students with special needs to the best of our ability.
Skilled Instructors: Our instructors and vendors are experienced in working with students with diverse abilities and learning styles.
Special Needs Disclosure: Please indicate any special needs during the registration process or contact us directly to discuss your student’s specific requirements.
Reasonable Accommodations: We are dedicated to providing enriching activities for all students and making reasonable accommodations whenever possible to ensure inclusivity and participation.

Paraprofessional Support

One-on-One Paraprofessionals: In certain situations, we can provide one-on-one paraprofessionals to support students who require additional assistance.
IEP/504 Information: To arrange for paraprofessional support, please provide us with your student’s IEP or 504 plan. Alternatively, you can sign a third-party consent form, and we can request it from your school.
Paraprofessional Availability: Please note that we typically provide paraprofessionals for up to two classes per session to manage resources effectively.
Additional Classes: If your student is enrolled in more than two classes and requires paraprofessional support, we can hire a paraprofessional on your behalf, and you will be billed $50 per class meeting to cover the cost of this additional support.

Code of Conduct

School Day Policies: Students participating in Your After School programs are expected to adhere to the same code of conduct and policies as they do during the regular school day.
Non-Disruptive Environment: Students are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that promotes a positive and non-disruptive environment for all participants and instructors during after-school activities.
Zero Tolerance for Physical Altercations: There is a zero-tolerance policy for any physical altercations. Any student involved in a physical altercation will be immediately removed from the program for the remainder of that club session.
Parent/Guardian Contact: In the event of any violation of the school’s code of conduct, parents or guardians will be contacted to discuss the situation and seek their assistance in addressing the behavior.
Consequences for Persistent Misconduct: Persistent misconduct may result in the student being required to miss one class meeting as a consequence.
Program Removal: If disruptive behavior continues after returning to the program, the student may be removed from the program at the discretion of Your After School.
No Refunds for Behavior-Related Cancellations: Please note that refunds will not be issued for program cancellations related to student behavior issues.

Click Here for the complete Media Waiver

Click Here for the complete Terms and Conditions and Medical Consent – All registrations require acceptance at registration and prior to participation in Your After School Programs.

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[Image 1 Alt Text]: Children happily showcasing their completed craft projects at a Madison CT after-school program, highlighting creativity and accomplishment.
[Image 2 Alt Text]: A group of Madison CT after-school program attendees attentively listening to their instructor during a storytelling session, emphasizing literacy and engagement.
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