We provide exceptional, affordable, and flexible child care for infants through age 12 from 6:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m., Monday – Friday (closed holidays). 

Our center is nationally accredited, and all staff are state-licensed.

Child care options and fees

We offer several care options to meet diverse family needs. If you need financial assistance for child care:

• See the Department for Children and Families Fact Sheet.
• Sliding scale discounts may be available based on family size and income. Please contact us to see if you are eligible.

CONTRACTED CARE

• ​With contracted care, you pay for hours whether you use them or not. In other words, you buy a slot of time. We hold that slot for you and always have it staffed. 
• For options that aren’t available year-round, dates align with Pittsburg School District’s (USD 250) schedule.

Full-Time Contract Options
(25 hours or more per week)

Option	Child Age/Grade	Available	Weekly Fee
Child care only	Infant - 2.5 years	Year-round	$165
	2.5 years - Kindergarten entry	Year-round	$155
	Finished Kindergarten - 5th grade, up to 12 years	Summer (Summer Quest)	$155 (plus $20 annual materials fee
Child care + preschool	3 years - Kindergarten	Aug - May	$200

Part-Time Contract Options
(24 hours or less per week)

Child Age/Grade	Available	Hourly Fee
Infant - 5 years	Year-round	$6
Finished Kindergarten to 5th grade, up to 12 years	Summer (Summer Quest)	$6 (plus $20 annual materials fee)

DROP-IN CARE

We also offer a drop-in option for parents who want occasional care, as needed.

• Offered year-round for infants through age 12. 
• All forms must be completed and on file before you receive care. 
• Hourly fee: $6.
  • For children in our Summer Quest Program (finished Kindergarten - 5th grade, up to 12 years old; summer months only), a $20 annual materials fee also will apply.
• Availability is limited. Please contact us as soon as possible to see if care is available.

What’s included with care

For all children, we provide:

• Small groups (low child-to-staff ratio) so each child receives more attention
• Free developmental screenings
• Breakfast, lunch, and snack (included in tuition)
  • For infants, we can also provide Enfamil with Iron, rice cereal, and baby food (on request)
• Warm, inviting rooms
• Diverse staff that supervise children at all times

Additionally, we provide the age-appropriate services below. Items we don’t provide (what parents should bring) are also listed.  ​​

Infants - 2.5 Years
We Provide	Parents Provide
Staff trained in infant-toddler development Activities that promote development through exploration, using Frog Street Curriculum and Conscious Discipline Positive social-emotional development strategies	Diapers / wipes Bottles Two extra changes of clothes If breastfeeding, mothers are welcome to drop in to breastfeed or provide breast milk

2.5 - 5 Years
We Provide	Parents Provide
Staff trained in preschool-aged child development Activities that promote development through exploration, using Frog Street Curriculum and Conscious Discipline A convenient transition (when your child is ready) from child care to preschool	Two extra changes of clothes

5 - 12 Years
We Provide	Parents Provide
Staff trained in school-aged child development Activities to promote year-round learning focused on a balance of individual, small-group, and large-group time Fun, age-appropriate activities to promote physical activity and social growth	N/A

Application process

Please follow all steps below to enroll your child in our services. If you have questions, please don’t hesitate to contact [email protected], 620-235-3150.

1. Complete required form(s).

• ​Form(s) required depend on which care option(s) you need. 
• Please download, print, and complete form(s) as outlined below. If you don’t have access to a printer, you may pick up forms at either of our locations.

If you want CONTRACTED care

• You only need to complete the Child Care Application ​(Spanish) for now.
• Thanks for completing this application. It helps us know if you might be eligible for one of our many programs.
• We’ll reach out to you later for additional information.

​If you want DROP-IN care

You must complete ALL of the following:

• Child Care Application   (Spanish)
• ​Fee Agreement   (Spanish)
• Emergency Release Form   (Spanish)
• Policy and Procedure Checklist   (Spanish)
• Medical Record   
• Health Assessment      
• General Permission Form   (Spanish)
• ​Meal Reimbursement: Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) Enrollment Form   (Spanish)

For information only:

• CACFP Building for the Future Letter   (Spanish)
• CACFP Building for the Future Poster   (Spanish)​

​If you want care during summer months for a child who finished Kindergarten through 5th grade (up to 12 years old): You also will need to submit a Summer Quest Application.

2. Provide completed form(s) and Application Fee to The Center.

Regardless of which service(s) you choose, you must submit a one-time, non-refundable $20 Application Fee per child. That fee will cover all current or future services for the child. 

Options to submit the form and fee:

• Mail or drop off (6:30 a.m. -  6:00 p.m., Monday - Friday, excluding holidays): Send form and $20 check (do not send cash) to:

The Center
1600 N. Walnut
Pittsburg, KS 66762

• You may also email the form to [email protected] or fax to 620-235-3154. If you do, you will still need to mail or drop off the $20 check (do not send cash).  

3. If your needs change, please call us at 620-235-3150. 

That may help us begin your child care more quickly. 

Once we process your document(s), we will reach out to discuss next steps. If no child care slots are available, we’ll place your child on a waitlist and notify you as soon as a slot opens.

PARENT HANDBOOK

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