Absence and Tardy Policy

The most important factor in being successful in our program is attendance.

Our internal data shows that children with high attendance levels are more school-ready than children who have lower attendance levels. Every hour and every day matter when it comes to early learning.

Your child should be at school every day and on time unless they are ill.
School starts at 7:45 a.m. and your child is to arrive no later than 8:30 a.m. each day.
Arrivals after 8:05 a.m. are late/tardy.
Excessive tardiness and/or excessive absences will result in a family being placed on an Attendance Improvement Plan.
Continued failure to attend every day, or continued excessive tardiness, could result in your child losing their spot in the program.
It is imperative that you stay in contact with the school during absences to retain your spot

If your child is going to be absent or tardy for any reason, call the school as soon as you can.

If you do not call the school about your child’s absence, an FSS or our automated calling system will contact you to follow up. Per Head Start requirements, if an absence is not reported and we cannot reach you or your emergency contacts by phone, a staff member will visit your home to check in on your family.

We cannot stress this enough, attendance matters! For more information on the importance of attendance, please visit: http://www.attendanceworks.org/

Attendance matters!

Arrival and Dismissal

Your child may arrive no earlier than 7:45 a.m.
Your child must be escorted to their classroom by you or another adult designated by you.
You, or your designated adult, must sign your child into the classroom upon entry each morning.
Dismissal time begins at 1:45 p.m., 30 minutes before the end of the school day.
If your child is not enrolled in extended day services, you MUST pick them up by 2:15 p.m.
Your child will only be released to you, or another person designated by you on their pick-up list.
Any changes to your list of designated persons who may pick up your child must be made in person. If an unauthorized person attempts to pick up your child, we will contact you.
You are responsible for letting the school know as soon as possible if there are any changes to your child’s pick-up list.
To protect the safety of your child, photo identification that includes the Name and Date of Birth will be requested of anyone picking up your child.
Verification of photo identification is required of anyone that the teacher does not know before a child’s release.
- Acceptable forms of photo identification include:
  - Any federal or state-issued identification (includes Passports, Federal Work Permits, Resident ID Cards, etc.)
  - Student ID Card (High School, College, Technical School, etc.)
  - Work Permit or Membership Cards (must include Photo and Name)

Extended Care

CAP Tulsa’s Extended Care program is a great option if you need additional childcare while working or going to school. The Extended Care program continues enriched learning opportunities beyond our regular program hours and is offered at all CAP Tulsa schools from 2:15 – 5:30pm.

Fees are associated with this service and spaces are limited. The fees for Extended Care may be paid by OKDHS, Tribal Child Care Assistance (on case-by-case basis), or private pay. Families with OKDHS Child Care Assistance receive priority placement in the Extended Care program. We encourage families to apply for OKDHS Child Care Assistance benefits to assist with the cost of Extended Care services. If you have questions about enrolling in Extended Care, contact your Education Support Specialist (ESS).

If you are a private pay family, you must pay weekly. Upon enrollment, the full week’s tuition is due prior to Extended Care program services beginning. The first week must be paid in full for your child to start the program. Your payment is due every Friday, the week before services. If payment is not received, your child cannot attend the Extended Care program until your balance is paid in full.

Children enrolled in the Extended Care program must be picked up no later than 5:30 pm. Late fees begin at 5:31 pm. Late fees must be paid the next morning before the child can continue in the Extended Care program. All payments must be made by money order payable to CAP Tulsa. If your child is frequently picked up late, you will be put on a Late Pickup Action Plan and may lose your spot in the Extended Care program. Only people included on the pick-up list will be allowed to pick up your child. Anyone picking up your child should be prepared to present valid photo identification before the child is released.

OKDHS Child Care Assistance

If you are approved for childcare assistance, OKDHS will let you know the amount of your monthly co-payment (if any) that is due to the school on the 1^st day of each month. It is important to pay the pre-arranged co-payment by the 5^th of the month in order for your child to remain in the Extended Care program. All payments must be made by money order payable to CAP Tulsa.

You are responsible for completing swipes with your mobile ECC Connect app or EBT card at both check-in and check-out so we can receive payment for the time your child is with us during extended hours. This must be done daily. If you are unable to use the ECC Connect app, Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) machines are located at the front desk. If you miss a swipe, you must make up the missed swipe within two (2) days. Your child cannot continue to attend the Extended Care program until swipes are made up. Failure to make up missed swipes will result in you being required to pay the OKDHS payment for the days with missed swipes. Your child will not be allowed to attend until swipes are made up and payments are received.