Admission Policies

  • Learning Avenues Child Care Centers does not discriminate against children of families because of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, creed, marital status, sexual orientation, age, or handicaps.
  • Children are accepted on a first come/ first served basis.
  • Families who enroll children for the school year, but drop them from care during the summer must re-enroll in the fall, pay a registration fee if gone longer than three months, and are re-considered on the first come/ first served basis. Prior enrollment does not guarantee placement.

Admission is based on the following criteria:

  • Children must be at least 3 years and toilet trained (except for McCoy Center which accepts 12 months to 36 months).
  • Space must be available in the appropriate age group or at the appropriate Learning Avenues Child Care Centers off-site location.
  • Full-time (preschool and summertime for school age) children are accepted primarily on a priority basis unless enrollment is low or a child can be “matched” with another child to share a childcare slot. Part-time and drop-in care will be determined by this; priority always goes to full-time slots. If part-time care is unable to be “matched”, parent may be asked to utilize full-time care or seek other child care.
  • School age children enrolled in elementary schools served by Learning Avenues Child Care Centers have first priority at their respective sites when space is available.
  • Parents and staff must agree that this program will benefit the child.
  • All forms in the Enrollment Packet must be completed and turned into the office one business day prior to your child attending. Financial arrangements must also be completed before your child’s first day of care.
  • Sliding fee scale funding is reserved for families in which the parents are working and/or going to school. Families are encouraged and helped to seek alternative sources of childcare funding. A family eligible for DSHS is not eligible to utilize the sliding fee scale.
  • Thirty childcare slots are reserved for children in the Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP). Eligible children must be 3 or 4 by August 31st and fall below the federal poverty guideline. Acceptance into this program must be approved by Educational Opportunities for Children and Families (EOCF).
  • Eight childcare slots are reserved for Full Day Full Year Head Start. Acceptance into this program must be approved by Educational Opportunities for Children and Families (EOCF).
  • Twelve childcare slots are reserved for Early Head Start. Acceptance into this program must be approved by Educational Opportunities for Children and Families (EOCF).

Learning Avenues believes:

  • Children learn by doing—through play.
  • All children need a safe and healthy environment, which instills a sense of security.
  • Each child is an individual with varying needs and abilities.
  • Parents are the primary educators of children.
  • Enhancing, supporting and strengthening a child’s self-esteem is fundamental.
  • Children have a natural love of learning. Activities vary from simple to complex in order to provide both successes and challenges.
  • Children need to develop self-control, independence, and the ability to make choices.
  • Children need new experiences introduced to develop creativity and awareness of the environment, arts, and culture.
  • Children need guidance by redirection, positive reinforcement, logical consequences, and “cool off” time.
  • Children need to develop empathy and respect for all children and adults without regard to race, religion, disability, age, sexual orientation or national origin.
  • Parents’ involvement is vital to the success of children.