City
of Augusta
Licensed
School-Age Child
Care
1. What
is Licensed School-Age Child Care?
a. Refers
to care given for children and youth between the ages of five and
13 (in this state), during their out-of-school time. This includes
before-school programs, after-school programs, Vacation Care, Snow
Day Care, Workshop Days, Early Release Days and Summer Vacation Care.
b. This can
be a tough age group to convince parents that they still need to provide
childcare for. Some parents feel that at the age of 7 a child can
be left home alone for a few hours.
c. Licensed
means it meets the Department of Human Services requirements to operate
a Day Care Facility. Each site is licensed for a certain number
of children. Ratios between staff and children by licensing standards
are 13:1; our programs maintain a 10:1 ratio.
2. Program
Philosophy:
To provide
a warm and nurturing environment where children can grow and be as
children should be. It is our desire to promote the social, emotional,
intellectual and physical development of each child in accordance
with his/her individual needs and abilities.
3. Brief
History:
a. Child
care program began through the Recreation Bureau September 1992. It
originally began in the Augusta Schools with the Kennebec Valley YMCA
in 1990.
b. Started
with one Before-School Program and one After-School Program located
at Lincoln School.
c. Currently
there is still only one Before School Program, located at Lincoln
and children are transported to the other schools by the city van
and Augusta School transportation; there are now 3 after-school sites-Lincoln,
Gilbert and Farrington.
d. Original
staff consisted of 1-Before School Site Supervisor; 1 after-School
Site supervisor, and 2 childcare aides.
e. Staff
today consists of 1 Before School Site Supervisor; 3 After-School
Site Supervisors, and 15 child care aides.
f. Initial
enrollment was 25 children, today we serve over 200 children.
4. Why
offer Childcare in the Schools?
a. Convenient
for parents
b. Children
familiar with surroundings
c. Gives
children “down” time at school
d. Space
is available
v.04152003
