Essential Kids Care Program
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**All details subject to change as SPPS moves into hybrid and/or full in-person learning**
Essential Kids Care is CLOSED and NO childcare is available:
January 18th – Martin Luther King Day
January 25th-29th – Preparation for in-person learning
February 15th – Presidents Day
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The Governors order requires school districts to offer free childcare for all enrolled school-age students ages 12 and younger whose parents/guardians are Tier 1 Essential Workers (as determined by the state, download the full list here).
Essential Kids Care on typical school days and typical school day hours (7:30am-2:00pm or 9:30am-4:00pm) during distance learning. With the transition to in person learning we will begin phasing out Essential Kids Care.
Please Note: Effective September 8, care between the hours of either 7:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. or 9:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. will remain free. Before care will be fee based (see fee info below) for late start schools only. Fees will be charged for days a child is registered to attend before care.
Care Session/Rate Information beginning September 8:
Before Care 6-9:30 a.m. - $18/day/child
Essential Care* 9:30 a.m.- 4 p.m. - Free
Essential Kids Care will be held on regular school distance learning days at the following school sites:
Childcare will be staffed by non-licensed district employees. A portion of the day will be scheduled for students to work on their managed independent distance learning and the remainder of the time will include enrichment and physical activities.
Breakfast and lunch will be offered each day by SPPS Nutrition Services.
Transportation to and from Essential Kids Care will be provided if needed.
Full-day fee-based care options available to families that do not qualify as Tier 1 essential workers. More information is available on the Discovery Club website.
NOTE:
Please register by Monday, August 24.
With further questions, email discovery.club@spps.org or call Community Education at (651) 632-3793
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Contract End Dates for PreK-5th Grade
Essential Kids Care staff will adjust contracts within the system to extend care beyond January 15th. You will receive a contract confirmation via e-mail. Invoices for families using before care will be sent via e-mail by the end of this week.
- Students Prek-2nd – contracts will end on January 22nd, school begins on February 1st
- Students 3rd-5th – contracts will end on February 12th, school begins on February 16th
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Contracts for Grades 6 - 12yrs
Essential Kids Care for grade 6th-12 years old will move to Washington Technology Magnet beginning February 16th. Essential Kids care will not be offered at Rondo, Nokomis or Hamline EKC beginning February 16th.
- Hours of care will change to 8:30am-3:00pm
- No before care is available
- Students scheduled for transportation in the mornings and afternoons will be re-routed between home and Washington Technology Magnet. Updated transportation information will be sent via e-mail the week of February 8th
- EKC staff will update the contracts to reflect the change to Washington Technology Magnet beginning February 16th and send an e-mail verification of the change to families
- If your student no longer needs care after February 16th please e-mail club@spps.org to withdraw the contract
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In-Person Learning: Before/After School Care
Looking for Before/After School Care when your child returns to in-person learning?
Discovery Club offers fee-based care options, click here for more info.
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Tax Letter Info
Tax Letter Info
If you have used the fee-based before care during Essential Kids Care a childcare care tax letter is available for you to download by signing in to your account. Click here.