Nokomis Discovery Club
2009-10 Enrollment Information
What is Discovery Club? Saint Paul Public Schools Discovery Club provides before and after school child care in a fun, safe, caring, environment that supports children’s learning and development.
What are the enrollment options and fees?
Before school: from 6:30 – 9:00 a.m., $14/day
After school: 3:30 – 6 p.m., $14/day
Both before & after school M-F: 6:30 – 9 a.m. & 3:30 – 6 p.m., $107/week
Extended Pre-Kindergarten: 11:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., $22.40/day
Full Day Extended Pre-K: 6:30 – 9 a.m., 11:30 – 6 p.m., $37.50/day
School release days, winter & spring break: 6:30 a.m. – 6 p.m., $41/day.
Part time enrollment is available; however, preference is given to full-time (5 days/week). Minimum enrollment is 3 days per week for each option; the days of enrollment in each option must be the same every week.
Tell me more about extended Pre-K. Extended Pre-K gives children a full school day experience – Montessori in the morning and Discovery Club in the afternoon from the end of morning Montessori ends until the end of the school day. Discovery Club extended Pre-K staff talk with the Montessori teachers so they can plan academic enrichment activities that support the school day curriculum. Children in extended Pre-K do letter of the week, music, art, literature, math, large motor activities, manipulatives, games, and computers. Families also have the option of enrolling their children before school and/or after school.
Is financial assistance available? Yes, fee subsidy is available through Discovery Club (651-632-3793); Resources for Child Care, 651-641-6665 (working parents); and Ramsey County, 651-266-8500 (parents in school).
How do I enroll my child for next fall? Discovery Club staff will be available to register students at Kindergarten Orientation. Enrollment is first come, first served. Please call Linda Elliott, 651-293-5461, for additional information or if you wish to register and can’t attend Kindergarten Orientation.
Why do families choose Discovery Club for their children?
Programming
• Fun, engaging enrichment activities: Children enjoy a wide variety of literacy, art, music, drama, and science activities, organized games/sports, service learning projects, and field trips. These activities give children hands-on opportunities to practice the academic skills they learn during the school day.
• Regular homework/independent reading time: Staff are available to help children with homework. Sites have comfortable reading corners and libraries stocked with high interest books that encourage independent reading.
• Daily active play: Children participate in individual and group sports and games, such as soccer, basketball, golf, roller blading, skate boarding, ice skating, sledding, and swimming.
• Friends: Children have the opportunity to just “hang-out” and socialize with their friends. Parents have described Discovery Club as their child’s neighborhood.
• Social Skills: Children learn how to make and keep friends; they have the opportunity to learn and practice conflict resolution skills including empathy, impulse control, and anger management.
• Behavior Guidance: Discovery Club’s behavior guidance philosophy focuses on mutual respect and the involvement of children in problem solving and taking responsibility for their own feelings and behavior.
Staff
• Staff genuinely care about and enjoy children: Research has identified “warm, caring staff who value children” as the most important element of before and after school programs. Discovery Club staff get to know individual children and develop long-term, supportive relationships with them and their families.
• Well-educated staff: All Site Managers and 84% of Group Leaders have a bachelor’s degree in elementary education or a closely related field.
• Low staff turnover: Many Discovery Club staff members have chosen Discovery Club as a career resulting in greater stability than in many similar programs.
• Well trained staff: Staff participate in on-going training about effectively programming and working with children in Discovery Club.
What Discovery Club parents are saying…
• “My daughter has structured activities she loves; help and support with inevitable friendship problems; time to relax and play. The leader has been wonderful - kind, creative, intelligent and level - headed.”
• “My child talks about the things he learns at Discovery Club as much as he talks about what he learns during the school day.”
• “The staff and site manager are wonderfully caring, responsible, reliable and accommodating. I so appreciate the years of safe care for my daughter.”
• “I’m a teacher and a Discovery Club parent. I love what Discovery Club is doing. I don’t think most centers offer the quality that DC offers.”
Discovery Club is a Program of Saint Paul Pubic Schools
Community Education Department
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SPPS Discovery Club Website
