Creative Care

What is Creative Care?

Creative Care is our after school program designed to provide a Christian home-like environment for children. While learning tolerance and acceptance of others and themselves, these children thrive in a relaxed but stimulating world.  Creative Care is designed to meet your family’s schedule by offering a contract with many different options.  The hours of operation are 11:45am - 5:30pm each day that school is in session.

Eligibility

Creative Care is available to each child enrolled in St. Cyprian’s Episcopal School.  However, the number of children that can be served is subject to availability of staff and facilities. In order to assure a space for your child, it is best to enroll early.

How Do We Spend Our After School Time?

We divide our children by grade level and offer developmentally appropriate activities.  Below is a partial listing of the programs our children enjoy.

3K-4K

Our half-day pre-schoolers transition from their classroom to Creative Care at 11:45. Lunch provides a perfect opportunity for the children to get comfortable, switch gears and look forward to a fun afternoon.  After lunch and potty and wash up time, the children get their nap toys or books, and lay on their mats.  While lullabies play softly, the children enjoy some much-needed quiet time.  2:00 is wake up time.  After a snack and story time, the children head outside to play (weather permitting.) Other afternoon activities include circle time (singing, games, stories and show and tell), learning centers, arts and crafts and super snacks (dirt cake, ice cream in a bag, oceans in a cup, ants on a log). 

5K-up

A Creative Caretaker meets the children at the end of their regular school day. After snack and an opportunity to work on homework, they head outside or to the gym for some much-needed exercise. Later in the afternoon there is time for playing board games or reading.

Homework

With hectic evening schedules, some parents feel that children should be responsible for finishing homework in Creative Care. By visiting with the afternoon Creative Caretaker, the parent may design a homework plan for the child to follow. Creative Care will provide a scheduled time and assistance in completing assignments. However, it is the child’s responsibility to take initiative and do the homework.

Days of Operation

Creative Care is open in accordance with our school’s daily calendar and schedule.  It is closed on school holidays and weekends.  On early dismissal days, Creative Care will be open from the end of the school day until 5:30 p.m.  On teacher in-service and workdays, care is provided but is not part of your original Creative Care contract. A sign-up sheet will be provided for parents who need care from 7:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. on these days.  The cost of that day is $25.

Records

The State of Texas Daycare Licensing Minimum Standards states that an enrollment application must be completed and accepted by Creative Care before any child can be admitted into the program.  This requirement includes a physician’s statement that must be completed before any child can participate in the program.

Medication

Creative Care does not distribute medication.

Illness and Injury

Creative Care must protect the health of all children.  Any child with an illness that causes a fever will be sent home and must be free from fever for 24 hours before returning to school.  In the case of critical illness or injury, the school will attempt to contact parents and may call the physician named by the parent, take the child to the nearest emergency room, or call 911 for an emergency vehicle.

Lunch and Snack

Parents may order a nutritious lunch from the school cafeteria or a sack lunch may be sent from home.  Twenty-five cents may be sent in a sack lunch to purchase milk.  Snacks and juice are provided to all children each afternoon.

Rest Time

Each child in 3K and 4K will be provided a personal mat.  The children usually prefer to bring a small blanket and small pillow from home, but if necessary the school will provide a small blanket. The children will be placed in a quiet room with soft music playing.  Teachers will rotate around the room and tuck each child in and pat backs as needed or wanted.  Each child is encouraged to rest quietly for a short while. We understand that not all three, four and five year olds nap.  If after a period of time a child does not fall asleep, the child will be given a quiet toy or book.  Rest time is a positive time for children to relax or sleep.