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Agape Learning Academy accepts children between the ages of 12 months and 4 years on a first come, first serve basis according to space availability in age appropriate classrooms.
After-School Care is provided for ages Pre-K through 12 years.
Operational Hours
Monday - Friday
6:45 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Holidays Observed
New Year's Day
Martin Luther King's Birthday
Good Friday
Memorial Day
Independence Day
Labor Day
Thanksgiving Day & Day After
Christmas Eve & Christmas Day
(These holidays will be posted a month in advance.)
Weather Policy
Agape Learning Academy will close if LISD closes due to the weather conditions (snow, ice).
Mission Statement and Center Philosophy
Agape Learning Academy believes that each child is unique. We strive to value and recognize this uniqueness and work with each individual child to bring his or her learning needs into focus. We strive to provide a flexible learning environment, which enables us to structure our program to meet the needs of our children. Our development academic program of studies and our comprehensive program are structured to provide concrete experiences and utilize extensive teaching materials to enhance the intellectual, creative, physical, social and emotional development of the child.
Our ultimate goal is to provide quality childcare catering to the well-being of children, giving them a comprehensive environment to develop physically, socially, emotionally, cognitively, and physically educate the whole child and to reinforce his/her success.
The goals of Agape Learning Academy are to help children:
- Learn about themselves and the world around them.
- Feel good about themselves and capable as learners.
- Socially: to feel secure and comfortable, trust their environment, make friends, and feel part of the group.
- Emotionally: to experience pride and self-confidence, independence and self control and have a positive attitude toward life.
- Cognitively: to become confident learners by trying their own ideas, experience success and acquire skills such as problem solving, using words to describe their feelings, ideas and observations.
- Physically: to increase their large and small muscles and feel confident about what their body can do.
Curriculum
The Academy will incorporate preschool curriculum into its daily activities for fun and to prepare children for school. We emphasize the world as it relates to God and Jesus Christ. The children will learn scriptures, Bible stories and songs. A. L. A. will in no way promote denominational issues.
Non-Discriminatory Policy
Agape Learning Academy does not discriminate against any parent or child on the basis of race, religion, ethnic background, size, age, and sex or financial ability to pay.
Open Invitation
Agape Learning Academy encourages the parents to visit the academy at any time during operational hours to observe their child, the academy operation, and program activities without having to secure prior approval. The parents also may participate in the academy's operation and activities. Parents may review and discuss with the academy's director any questions or concerns pertaining to the policy and procedures of the academy.
Arrival and Departure
Each day upon arriving, parent is required to sign his/her child/children in, noting the time of arrival and departure. This also includes children on Child Care Services.
It is our policy to release children only to his/her parents or someone else designated on the enrollment forms. Please make certain that the persons you desingate to pick-up your child has a picture ID and a copy of that person's ID will be made for that child's file. Please keep all information current. The academy will not release any child to anyone other than the parents/guardian, or who is on the vital information form when you call in.
Absence
If the child is to be absent from the academy, the parent must call in and report the absence. If parent fails to call in absence in three (3) days time, the child will be dropped from our roll. The parents will have to pay for that week unless they have a doctor's slip.
Meals and Snacks
Agape Learning Academy will serve breakfast, lunch and an afternoon snack each day. Each meal/snack will be in compliance with state laws. Please do not send snacks or candy with your child to the academy unless prior approval has been given.
Breakfast served 8:30 - 9:00 a.m.
Lunch served 11:15 a.m. - 12:45 p.m.
Snack served 3:00 - 3:20 p.m.
If your child arrives after 12:15 p.m. they must have had lunch or you can call ahead to reserve a lunch for your child. Menus will be posted on the information board. (Special Note: If your child has allergies to a specific food, please bring a doctor's statement stating those foods. This will allow the cook to make an appropriate substitution.)
Parents are welcome to provide snacks for your child's birthday or other occasion during lunch time only. (Please bring purchased items only.) Please inform your child's teacher and the Director in advance.
Personal Items
Dress your child appropriately for outside play and indoor activities. Academy Learning Academy will not be responsible for ruined clothing when a child is participating in program activities. Children will get dirty while having fun. Agape Learning Academy will not assume any responsibility for replacing personal belongings brought to the academy. All items should be labeled with your child's name.
Health Information
Health information is very important to the well being of your child and to the center and is required by law. No child can be enrolled in a childcare facility without a current immunization on file. The parent should make certain that subsequent immunization updates are reported, so they may be added to the child's file. Within two days of the child's enrollment, the center must have a copy of the child's medical record. We must also have a signed Doctor's statement noting that your child may participate in daily activities or parent's statement that the child has seen a doctor in the past twelve (12) months. (See State enrollment regulations) If the proper information is not brought back in the appropriate time frame, the child may not attend the academy until all papers are received. Between the ages of 4 and 5 the child must have a vision and hearing screening.
Health and Safety
It is the responsibility of the parent to inform the academy of any health problems that might pose a risk to your child or other children. Failure to do so may result in termination of your child's enrollment.
If a child is sick we will not admit him/her if they show signs of a Fever, Vomiting, Pinkeye, Diarrhea, Chicken Pox, Sever Cold, Flu, Yellow Skin or Eyes, Head Lice, Ringworm or other signs of serious illness.
If your child has had any of the above mentioned within 24 hours, please do not bring or return the child to the academy until they are no longer contagious. If illness occurs after your child arrives to the academy, he/she will be isolated and you will be notified immediately to come and pick them up. It is very important that we have a current number where you may be reached on file in the event of a child's illness. Please make alternate arrangements in the event you are unable to promptly pick your child up from the academy.
In case of an accident or sudden illness, we will always try to initially contact the parent and secondly to contact emergency numbers listed on the emergency contact form. If the Director cannot contact the parent or emergency person, the academy will take the child to Good Shepherd Medical Center Emergency Room (extreme emergency only).
In all emergencies, the Agape Learning Academy has permission to take such reasonable measures as are, in the judgment of the Director/Assistant Director, necessary to the welfare and safety of the child. Each child must have emergency treatment authorization on file in the office.
Note: Once you have been notified of your child's illness, you have 30 minutes to pick your child up from Agape Learning Academy.
New Requirements Regarding Gang-Free Zones For Child Care Centers
As a result of House Bill 2086 that passed during the 81st Legislature, Regular Session, Chapter 42 of the Human Resource Code includes section 42.064, effective September 1, 2009. This new statute requires that information about gang-free zones be distributed to parents and guardians of children in care at licensed child care centers. The following is a tip sheet to assist in complying with the new law. This information may be posted at your child care operation or copies may be provided to parents.
What is a gang-free zone?
A gang-free zone is a designated area around a specific location where prohibited gang related activity is subject to increased penalty under Texas Law. The specific locations include day care centers. The gang-free zone is within 1000 feet of your child care center. For more information about what constitutes a gang-free zone, please consult sections 71.028 and 71.029 of the Texas Penal Code.
How do parents know where the gang-free zone ends?
The area that falls within a gang-free zone can vary depending on the type of location. The local municipal or county engineer may produce and update maps for the purposes of prosecution. Parents may contact their local municipality or court house for information about obtaining a copy of a map if they choose to do so.
What is the purpose of gang-free zones?
Similar to the motivation behind establishing drug-free zones, the purpose of gang-free zones is to deter certain types of criminal activity in areas where children gather by enforcing tougher penalties.
What does this mean for my day care center?
A child care center must inform parents or guardians of children attending the center about the new gang-free zone designation. This means parents or guardians need to be informed that certain gang-related criminal activity or engaging in organized criminal activity within 1000 feet of your center is a violation of this law and is therefore subject to increased penalty under state law.
When do I have to comply with the new requirements?
The law is already in effect, so providers should begin sharing information regarding gang-free zones immediately. Licensing staff will offer technical assistance to facilitate compliance until rules are proposed and adopted, which is estimated to occur in March 2010. In the meantime, providers should update their operational policies and procedures to include providing the information mandated by this law to the parents or guardians of the children in care.
For further information please contact your licensing representative or your local licensing office.
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