Daycare Operations & Tuition Details

This page gives interested families a clear look at how we manage daily arrivals and departures, including our check-in and check-out process. You’ll also find our tuition rates and general notes that highlight how we keep things organized and consistent. It’s a simple snapshot of what you can expect if you choose to join our daycare community.

Tuition Details:

Tuition ensures we can maintain high-quality staff, materials, and facilities for the children in our care. Prompt and consistent payments allow us to focus on care rather than administration.

Below are our payment expectations and procedures for handling tuition.

💵Tuition Rates:

• Infants (6 weeks – 23 months) 

o $55 per full day 

o $275 per week (5 days) 

o $1,100 per month (20 days) 

o $28 per part day (≤5 hrs) 

• Toddlers (2 years) 

o $50 per full day 

o $250 per week (5 days) 

o $1,000 per month (20 days) 

o $25 per part day (≤5 hrs) 

• Preschool (3 – 5 years) 

o $45 per full day 

o $225 per week (5 days) 

o $900 per month (20 days) 

o $23 per part day (≤5 hrs) 

• School Age (5 – 10 years) 

o $40 per full day (non-school days, breaks, summer) 

o $200 per week (5 days, full day care) 

o $800 per month (20 days, full day care) 

o $20 per part day (before/after school up to 5 hrs) 

  Additional Rates:

• $25 non-refundable Enrollment fee 

• 5–10% sibling discount (applied to oldest child) 

• $10 per 15 minute block late pickup fee

📅 Tuition Due Dates

  • Payments are due each Monday by drop-off time.

  • Payments made after Monday are considered late and will incur a $10 daily late fee.

  • Returned payments (e.g., insufficient funds) will be charged a $25 fee, in addition to any bank fees incurred.

📌 Additional Payment Notes

  • Tuition is non-refundable, regardless of absences, holidays, or closures.

  • Continued late payments or non-payment may result in termination of care.

🧾 Tuition Non-Payment Policy

Timely tuition payments keep the daycare running smoothly and ensure that staffing, meals, materials, and program costs are consistently supported. The following policy outlines expectations and procedures when tuition is late or unpaid.

1. Payment Schedule

  • Tuition is due on the first day of care each week (or every Monday, if using weekly billing).

  • Payment must be made before drop-off unless a written agreement states otherwise.

  • Accepted payment methods: Cash, Zelle, CashApp, or other agreed-upon methods.

2. Late Payment Fees

  • If tuition is not paid by 9:00 a.m. on the due date, a $15 per day late fee will be added until payment is received.

  • Late fees accumulate daily and must be paid in full before the child can return to care.

3. Grace Period & Communication

  • One courtesy 24-hour grace period may be granted once per calendar year.

  • Parents must notify the provider before the due date if payment complications arise.

  • Lack of communication will be treated as non-payment.

4. Suspension of Care

Care will be suspended immediately if:

  • Tuition is unpaid beyond 2 calendar days, OR

  • Late fees exceed $50, OR

  • A parent repeatedly pays late (three or more times within 12 months).

The child may not return until all outstanding balances are paid in full.

5. Termination of Enrollment

Enrollment may be terminated if:

  • Tuition remains unpaid for 5 days,

  • A parent has two terminations for non-payment on file, or

  • The provider determines that payment is chronically unreliable.

Written notice of termination will be provided. Outstanding fees remain due and may be pursued through small claims court if necessary.

6. Re-Enrollment After Non-Payment

Families wishing to return after termination must:

  • Pay all past-due balances,

  • Pay a new registration fee, and

  • Prepay two weeks of tuition in advance (non-refundable).

7. Subsidy (CCAP) Families

  • Parents are responsible for co-pays, absent-day fees (if applicable), and any portion not covered by CCAP.

  • If the parent fails to complete required CCAP paperwork, redeterminations, or attendance submissions, the parent becomes responsible for full tuition.

  • Failure to resolve CCAP issues within 5 business days is treated as non-payment.

8. Returned Payments

  • Any returned or failed payment (NSF, reversal, chargeback) will incur:

    • The bank’s fee, plus

    • A $35 returned payment fee from the daycare.

  • Repeated payment failures may result in cash-only status.

9. Receipts & Documentation

All payments will be recorded, and receipts will be provided upon request or weekly. 

Standard Hours of Operation:

The Daycare operates from Monday through Friday, from 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

🕗 Drop-Off Procedures (Arrival)

  • Drop-off window: 6:30 AM – 9:00 AM. Arrivals outside this time may disrupt routines and learning activities.

  • Daily health check: Upon arrival, a staff member will perform a brief wellness check to ensure your child is symptom-free and ready for care.

  • Parent/guardian role: Parents must accompany children directly to their classroom.

  • Classroom sign-in: A parent or guardian must check-in the child in via QR Code/Kiosk. This step is required by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS).

 🕔 Pick-Up Procedures (Departure)

  • Pick-up window: Children must be picked up no later than 5:30 PM.

  • Classroom hand-off: Please check in with the teacher before taking your child. Staff will provide a brief update on the day.

  • Parent/guardian sign-out: All children must be checked-out using the appropriate QR Code/Kiosk.

  • Late pick-up: Families arriving after closing time will be charged a late fee of $10 per 15 min block. Chronic lateness may result in a higher late fee and/or suspension from the program.

If a child is not picked up by closing time: 

  1. A late fee of $10.00 per 15-minute block will be charged. 

  2. The late fee begins immediately at closing time. 

  3. Fees are due at the next drop-off or added to next week’s invoice. 

  4. Continued late pick-ups may result in termination of childcare services.