Happy Elephant Child Care

Welcome

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Welcome to the Happy Elephant Blog.

This site has additional information regarding fees, forms and photos.

Internet Special

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New enrollees, present this coupon with Enrollment Application and Registration Fee. Receive $100.00 tuition credit after one month of regular scheduled attendance. Offer limited to one coupon opportunity per family.

Just click on the photo below (left click) and print it out. Then bring in the coupon when you come into Happy Elephant.

Outdoor Play

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Fresh air and exercise are important to good health. Outdoor play is part of the daily program for all children. During inclement weather, too hot or too cold days, we plan indoor activities. Please be sure your child has appropriate clothing for all seasons.

If you feel sunscreen is necessary it must be applied before your child arrives at the center. If after a recent illness, etc. you feel your child should not participate in outside activities for more than two days, a physician's statement will be required.

Medication

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If your child is on prescribed medication, please arrange for it to be given before or after the time your child is at the center. If this is not possible, the center's medication form must be completed. Medication is given at lunch time only. All medication must be physician prescribed and in the original container.

Illness and Communicable Diseases

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Childhood diseases and illness are part of growing up. Children with a fever or who are otherwise ill may not attend the center. If your child becomes ill while at the center, you will be required to pick your child up.

Return to the center after a contagious disease will require a signed statement from a physician indicating the child is not longer contagious. The director may override a doctor's statement in cases where symptoms are still present.

Food Service

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The center serves breakfast, lunch and one snack each day. Menus are posted weekly and are planned to meet the dietary needs of children.

Children may not bring food to the center, except for special occasions, such as birthdays and parties for the entire group. In this case food must be in original packages and store bought. Menu exceptions cannot be made except for documented medical reasons. It is important that you advise us of any allergies your child may have.

Fund Raising / Donations

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Happy Elephant is a non-profit corporation. All donations are tax deductible. Two fund raisers are held each year. Parent participation is encouraged but not mandatory. Proceeds from fund raisers are used toward purchases of toys, equipment, supplies and to help fund ongoing staff training and benefits.

Non-Sufficient Funds

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Your account will be charged $40.00 for any check returned to us due to non-sufficient funds. Happy Elephant will reserve the right to request payment by money order after 2 returned checks.

Method of Payment

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Fees must be paid by check or money order on the first day of attendance each week. Scheduled hours are charged hours. A $15.00 late fee will be charged to your account if your child care fees are not paid on the first day of attendance each week. Failure to stay current with child care fees will result in immediate dismissal.

Late Charge

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If your child is not picked up by 6:00 p.m. or the posted closing time, the charge is $5.00 for being 5 minutes late and $5.00 for every 5 minutes or part of 5 minutes thereafter.

Hours

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The center is open Monday - Friday until 6:00 p.m. Opening or closing time may vary at each site. The center will be closed to observe Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's, Memorial Independence and Labor Days. During holiday times there may be additional days that the center will be closed due to low enrollment. Fees will not be charged for any day the center is closed.

Attendance

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Children must be enrolled and attend 2 days per week. Varied schedules must be given in writing by closing Friday for the following week. Failure to change schedule in writing will result in the current schedule being charged and the absent day policy will be followed.

Absent Day / Vacation

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The first absent day of each week and any schedule changes require payment unless we are notified 3 days in advance. Any further absences that week will not be charged. Please call if your child will be absent. A two week notice is appreciated before leaving on vacation.

Tuition

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A child is promoted from the infant / toddler group when they are two and a half years old and toilet trained.

Rates are subject to adjustment.

Registration

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A nonrefundable yearly registration fee of $48.00 will be charged to each family every September. This fee helps to cover annual administrative costs. Registration fee is prorated when enrolling after September.

Withdrawal / Disenrollment

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Children will not be permitted to continue attendance if necessary forms are not turned in or updated as requested. Disruptive behavior by a child or adult my result in disenrollment. Happy Elephant will give notice, verbal or written, should this be the case.

Toys / Personal Belongings

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Toys from home are not allowed. All personal belongings should be labeled. Should your child lose clothing or a personal possession, check with the director immediately. Happy Elephant is not responsible for lost or damaged items.

State License

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The center is licensed by the Michigan Department of Social Services. Standards are consistently maintained to exceed the requirements of this agency.

Rest Time

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A rest period is scheduled each day. Your child is encouraged to rest quietly during this time. Each child must have a small blanket labeled with his/her name. The blanket must be laundered each week.

Parent Involvement

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Parents are invited to participate in all activities with the children. A calendar of events is provided monthly. You are welcome to visit the center at any time.

Religious Instruction

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Religious and cultural values are shared with the children through stories, songs and mealtime prayer. Religious holidays are observed as such. No attempt is made to indoctrinate a child for or against the faith of the parent.

Program Philosophy

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Daily activities and play experiences are planned according to the age and interest of the child.

Infants and toddlers receive quality individual care and attention. The infant day is planned to coincide with parent instructions for important routines like feeding and sleeping. Toddler children participate in activities that encourage development in all areas from fine motor to language.

Preschool children participate daily in activities of their choice and a lesson time to promote school readiness. Activities are provided which are appropriate for each child's age, development and interest.

Equal Opportunity Provider

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Children are admitted to the program without regard to race, religion, sex, national origin, parent marital status or political beliefs.

Emergency Procedure

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Fire and tornado procedures are posted in all areas. Drills are held regularly.

Clothing

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Your child will be active both indoors and out.

It is important for your child to be dressed in comfortable, washable, play clothes that will adapt to food spills, painting, sand and water play, etc.

It is wise to label jackets, sweaters, mittens, and any other clothing that might be removed.

Shoes and socks (no open-toed sandals) must be worn by children at all times.

Please provide a complete change of clothing to be left at the center. If your child is an infant or in the process of being toilet trained, we urge you to provide sufficient extra changes of clothing.

Behavior Management

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Positive discipline techniques are employed by caregivers that include praising and calling attention to appropriate behavior. Limits are set which are developmentally appropriate and consistently enforced.

Disruptive behavior is handled by the following methods:

Redirection of a child's activities in a positive way.

Setting the child apart from the group ("time out"). This method allows a child a few moments to think about his or her actions - no more than 1 minute for each year of age.

Verbal discussions and explanations.

Parent involvement when needed.

Continued inappropriate behavior may result in time off from the center. Situations that do not improve after periods of time off may result in disenrollment. Disenrollment may result from disruptive behavior such as: biting, violent outbursts, and destructive actions toward staff, children or property.

Admission Requirements

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On or before the first day of attendance you will need to provide the center with the following:

completed application
food program income data form
health appraisal (or date within 30 days)
immunization status
information card
registration fee
tuition for current week
signed receipt of any additional information

Fees

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$48.00 Registration Fee every September

Fees vary per site:

Flint Centers

2469 S. Linden Rd.

3237 Beecher Rd.

Lansing Centers

4010 W. Michigan Ave.

3325 Aurelius Rd.

Grand Rapids Center

680 36th St.

Policy Statement

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Admission Requirements

Behavior Management

Clothing

Emergency Procedure

Equal Opportunity Provider

Program Philosophy

Religious Instruction

Parent Involvement

Rest Time

State License

Toys / Personal Belongings

Withdrawal / Disenrollment

Registration

Tuition

Absent Day / Vacation

Attendance

Hours

Late Charge

Method of Payment

Non-Sufficient Funds

Fund Raising / Donations

Food Service

Illness and Communicable Diseases

Medication

Outdoor Play

3325 Aurelius Rd. Photos

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Front

Playground

Preschool Area

Toddler Area

Infant Room

4010 W. Michigan Ave. Photos

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Front

Playground

Infant Room View 1

Infant Room View 2

680 36th St. Photos

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Front

Infant / Toddler Area

Preschool Area

Calendar

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All Centers

Lansing Centers

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4010 W. Michigan Ave. - (517) 321-7876

Tuition Rate Photos

3325 Aurelius Road - (517) 882-6602

Tuition Rate           Photos

3325 Aurelius Rd. Tuition Rate

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Infant / Toddler
$10.00 - Daily Minimum
$3.75 - Hourly Rate

Preschool or Older
$10.00 - Daily Minimum
$3.00 - Hourly Rate

4010 W. Michigan Ave. Tuition Rate

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Infant / Toddler
$16.00 - Daily Minimum
$4.00 - Hourly Rate

Preschool or Older
$15.00 - Daily Minimum
$3.25 - Hourly Rate

Grand Rapids Center

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680 36th Street S.W. - (616) 532-4533

Tuition Rate Photos

680 36th St. Tuition Rate

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Infant / Toddler
$16.00 - Daily Minimum
$4.00 - Hourly Rate

Preschool or Older
$15.00 - Daily Minimum
$3.25 - Hourly Rate

Flint Centers

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2469 S. Linden Road - (810) 733-1810

Tuition Rate Photos

3237 Beecher Road - (810) 230-7600

Tuition Rate Photos

Beecher Rd. Photos

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Front

Playground

Classroom

Office

Linden Rd. Photos

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Front

Playground

Classroom

Toddler Area

Office

Gym 2

Beecher Rd. Tuition Rate

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Infant / Toddler

$10.00 - Daily Minimum

$3.75 - Hourly Rate

Preschool or Older

$10.00 - Daily Minimum

$3.00 - Hourly Rate

Linden Rd. Tuition Rate

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1st Infant / Toddler

$16.00 - Daily Minimum

$4.00 - Hourly Rate

$180.00 - Weekly Max

2nd Infant / Toddler

$16.00 - Daily Minimum

$4.00 - Hourly Rate

$150.00 - Weekly Max

Preschool or Older

$15.00 - Daily Minimum

$3.25 - Hourly Rate

Contact Information

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Contact us if you have any questions or concerns.

Email: happyelephant@ameritech.net

Phone: 888-291-1841 or 810-733-7828

Locations

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Locations

Flint

2469 S. Linden Rd. - (810) 733-1810

3237 Beecher Rd. - (810) 230-7600

Lansing

4010 W. Michigan Ave. - (517) 321-7876

3325 Aurelius Rd. - (517) 882-6602

Grand Rapids

680 36th Street S. W. - (616) 532-4533

Happy Elephant Child Care Centers Inc.

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Corporate Office
G-3237 Beecher Road
Flint, Michigan 48532
(888) 291-1841

Serving children and their families since 1972
Experienced, caring staff
5 locations in Michigan, tuition may vary per site
Full meal service
Preschool classes
FIA and other grants accepted

Infant / Toddler tuition at $3.75 - $4.00 per hour

Preschool or Older $3.00 - $3.25 per hour
Fees can vary per location

Registration Fee of $48.00 per family every September

Tour any facility at any time. The centers are open Monday-Friday until 6:00 p.m. and open as early as 5:30 a.m. at most sites. Call the center of your choice for more information.

All sites have large outdoor play areas. Daily activities and play experiences are planned according to the age and interest of the child. The infant day is planned to coincide with parent instructions for important routines such as feeding and sleeping, Toddler children participate in activities that encourage development in all areas from fine motor skills to language development. Preschool children participate in daily activities of their choice and a lesson time to promote school readiness.

Each site licensed by the State of Michigan. Standards are consistently maintained to exceed the requirements of this agency.

Locations

Flint

2469 S. Linden Rd. - (810) 733-1810

3237 Beecher Rd. - (810) 230-7600

Lansing

4010 W. Michigan Ave. - (517) 321-7876

3325 Aurelius Rd. - (517) 882-6602

Grand Rapids

680 36th Street S. W. - (616) 532-4533