We are open from 6:00 AM–6:00 PM Monday through Friday.

We are closed weekends and 7 holidays a year.  We do not charge for care on the days we are closed.  Holidays we are closed:

• New Year’s Day,
• Memorial Day,
• Independence Day,
• Labor Day,
• Thanksgiving Day,
• Christmas Eve Day,
• Christmas Day.

If the holiday falls on the weekend, it will be observed on either the preceding Friday or the following Monday.

If the Center is unable to open because of severe weather conditions or other unforeseen emergencies, notifications will be posted on the Center’s Facebook page and announced on KNIA/KRLS radio.

• Infants & Toddlers (6 weeks–2 years) = 1 teacher to 4 children
• Two Year Olds = 1 teacher to 6 children
• Three Year Olds = 1 teacher to 8 children
• Four Year Olds = 1 teacher to 12 children
• School Age (Kindergarten–10 years) = 1 teacher to 15 children

We understand that sometimes things don’t go as planned, in the event your child is at the center for more than 10 hours in a given day, an additional fee will be added to your statement. Please note that our staffing is based on children attending for 10 hours or less.

Tuition is due on Monday (or the first scheduled day of attendance) of each week for that week’s attendance. You may pay in advance (auto-deduct is an option), but not late. Payment is required for days missed unless it is a requested vacation day. Payment must be received by Thursday at 10:00 a.m. to avoid a late charge.

Preference is given to those needing full-time care and to current families. The name and age of your child must be on the waiting list. Approximate starting date and hours needed must also be on file.

Families are allowed vacation time after attendance at the Center for 3 months.

The Center is licensed by the Department of Human Services and must meet all rules and regulations outlined in the Iowa Licensing & Procedures Book. We are inspected yearly to make sure we comply with all State licensing standards. The Fire Marshall, Department of Public Health, and a representative of the Federal Food Program also inspect our Center. We have monthly fire and tornado drills.

All employees are required to have a physical at the time they are employed and must get 4 to 10 hours of training at Child Development workshops or classes each year. All full-time employees must have a valid First Aid Certificate & CPR training. A Criminal Record Check is completed through the State of Iowa Department of Human Services on each employee before hiring.

The following symptoms will require a child to be sent home and to remain home for at least 24 hours after symptoms are gone.

• Diarrhea—two or more bouts that are of unusual consistency (i.e. loose, watery, greenish, foul smelling, or containing mucous)
• Elevated temperature—any temperature over 100° axially (101° oral or ear) within a 24 hour period (without the use of fever lowering medicine, like Tylenol or ibuprofen), unless physician diagnosed non-communicable (i.e. teething, immunizations, etc.)
• Conjunctivitis/Pink Eye—non-clear drainage from eye and/or swelling and redness of the whites of the eyes. Child may return after 24 hours of antibiotic treatment.
• Skin Disorders—that are undiagnosed and/or draining. This includes, but is not limited to rashes, blisters, boils and lesions. Note: A child with impetigo may return after 24 hours of antibiotic treatment and the drainage has stopped.
• Chicken Pox—child may return when the pox are dried up, usually 6–7 days after outbreak
• Vomiting—accompanied by signs of irritability, restlessness, lethargy, a substantial loss of appetite, or vomiting occurring more than two times in the previous 24 hours
• Coughing—severe, continuous coughing

 

The Quality Rating System (QRS) is a voluntary program in the State of Iowa that offers providers a guided way to improve the quality of childcare they provide. Once assessed, the providers are given ratings. A provider who achieves Level 1 has met Iowa’s registration or licensing standards. A provider who achieves Level 2 has received additional training and made the first steps toward improving quality. Providers in Levels 3–5 have made significant steps in meeting key indicators of quality in the areas of: professional development, health and safety, environment, family, and community partnership, leadership, and administration.

We are aware that some children have life threatening, anaphylactic food allergies.  PELC cannot guarantee that a student will never experience an allergy-related event while at the Center.  However, the risk of accidental exposure to allergens can be reduced when we partner with parents to minimize risks and to provide a safe educational environment for severely allergic children.  Policies have been created to reduce the risk of exposure during daycare hours for those children with life-threatening allergies.

We have removed peanut products from meals and snacks.  This includes removing peanut products that have peanuts listed as ingredients in the allergen content labeling.   Peanut products are not allowed in the Center.   This also includes products manufactured in a facility that also processes peanuts.