After School Care

The After School Care Program

The Whatcom Hills Waldorf School Aftercare Program is designed to parallel and reinforce the regular school day and provide a safe, nurturing environment where children can continue to explore creative, active and social endeavors honoring diversity. Children in kindergarten and preschool can attend our early childhood aftercare program while first through fifth graders attend a separate program. Our students in the fifth through eighth grades have successfully used the WTA buses after school. The bus stop is located by the front gate on the corner of Fremont and Austin Streets.

General Program Description

The WHWS Aftercare Program is licensed by the State of Washington. Our locations, staffing and other details are guided by various State requirements, including concerns about child abuse and neglect.
Children must be pre-registered for Aftercare, though a limited number of drop-in spots will be available at a higher hourly rate. Pre-registration forms will be available in the office and must be filled out by the first of every month. The pre-registration rate is $6.00/hour. The drop-in rate is $7.00/hour.

Early Childhood Aftercare

Meredith Floyd-Preston will lead the early childhood aftercare program for preschoolers and kindergarteners in the Morningstar Kindergarten. The hours of this program are 12:30pm – 4:00pm. We strongly encourage parents of these younger children to pick up by 4:00pm, but if there are kindergarteners needing to stay later than 4:00pm arrangements can be made for them to join the grade-school Aftercare. Due to licensing requirements, preschoolers must be picked up by 4:00pm. To respect the rhythm of the program, children attending should not be picked up before 2:30pm. The early childhood program will provide a healthy lunch and snack.

Daily rhythm:
12:30 – 1:15 – Lunch – Each day there will be a healthy hot lunch, usually soup. Children tend to eat better and are less distracted when everyone is eating the same meal together. Lunch will be vegetarian and will be tailored to the dietary needs of the pre-registered children in attendance each day. If your child has dietary restrictions and will be dropping in please provide a lunch for him or her. Otherwise, packed lunches are discouraged.

1:15 – 2:15 – Rest – Each day the children will have a rest time. Some will sleep; others will have a much-needed rest after a long morning of busy, social activity. Older children will get up a bit earlier and help prepare snack.

2:15 – 2:45 – Snack – After waking up and visiting the bathroom the children will come together at the table for a light snack.

2:45 – 4:00 – Free-play – We will spend most of this time outside in the kindergarten play-yard, except in the worst of weather.

Grade-School Aftercare

Holly Roger will lead the grade school aftercare program, which is open to children in grades 1pm – 5pm. Older children will be welcome on a pre-arranged, case-by-case basis. No children can remain on campus unattended, however, so please make arrangements with Ms. Holly if you expect your older child to need care. The grade-school program will be open until 6:00 pm every evening and will provide a healthy, hearty snack. Grade-School Aftercare will remain a NUT-FREE zone.

Daily rhythm:
3:15-3:40 Inside free play, games, artwork and snack helpers. Sign-in is a busy time, so we like to have busy hands.

3:40-4:00 Nature nook. This is a quiet time spent in a favorite spot in the forest.

4:00 Vegetarian Snack & story. Gluten-free soup, rice, beans, vegetables, and the occasional healthy treat! We will make “Stone Soup” now and then. Children love to bring vegetables from home for this activity, which are most welcome. A list of our favorite veggies can be provided.

4:25-6:00 Green Hour! Weather permitting, we will explore and play outdoors. Inside time may include stories, games, making art or seasonal crafts.

After Care Fees

Our aftercare program is self-supporting. We have done some market research in our area and believe that our rates are fair and reflect the quality of care we are striving to provide. The pre-registration rate is $6.00/hour. The drop-in rate is $7.00/hour.
The aftercare teachers can be reached by dialing the school phone number, 733-3164 ext. in the afternoons. A surcharge of $6.00 for every 15 minutes, or portion thereof, that our childcare staff is detained after hours will be billed. Cases of chronic disregard for closing time will result in late fees of one dollar ($1.00) per minute past 6:00 pm.

The In’s and Out’s

Your child’s teacher should be clearly informed at the beginning of the day if your child is to go to aftercare. Teachers are required to sign children in. Parents or car-pool drivers are required to sign children out of care with their full, legal signature. Our Aftercare staff maintains these records and turn in the hours to bill on your tuition statement. Continued use of the program is, naturally, dependent upon timely payment of the fees for its use.
Staffing and Site
The Aftercare teachers maintain the day-to-day operation of the program itself. Any difficulties or concerns regarding the program may be addressed to the teacher or the school administrator. We encourage open communication.

Medical Policy

The Aftercare Program uses all the same records that the school does for your child as required by the State of Washington. Please keep us informed of any changes. Our staff is current on first aid and CPR. Sick children are not to be in school or the Aftercare Program. Children who become ill while at school will be cared for and parents called to come for their children as soon as possible. Medications will be given only according to the school’s policy. In an emergency, the parents will be contacted first; if unavailable, then the emergency contacts listed, then the child’s doctor. Please let us know of any allergies or other concerns.

 

"Our highest endeavor must be to develop free human beings who are able themselves to impart purpose and direction to their lives."

-Rudolf Steiner