WEEKLY TUITION, FEES, PAYMENTS AND TAX INFORMATION

TUITION PAYMENT
Payment is due the first day of each week that the center is open. This fee is a weekly charge and must be paid each week your child is enrolled. Your child’s weekly tuition is due in full each week regardless of attendance, absence, holiday or even if your child is absent all week. Your weekly tuition reserves your child’s slot. After one week of absence without notification from the parent, the child will be withdrawn from the program. The child or children can only return when all previous balances, including late fees are paid in full and a new registration fee will be due per child.  If your child's spot has been filled then you will have to wait for the next available slot.

LATE PAYMENT FEE
There is an added $5.00 late fee if payment is not made on the first day of the week and has not been made by 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday.

AFTER HOURS LATE FEE
There is a late fee of $1.00 per minute per child after 6:00pm if you are late picking up your child. We have a phone number you can call in case of emergency, but repeated tardiness in pick-up can result in being asked to withdraw from the program. Failure to pick up your child will result in notification of the proper authorities.

WEEKLY TUITION FEES
TUITION IS ALWAYS DUE IN ADVANCE THE FIRST DAY OF EACH WEEK. ANY PAYMENT RECEIVED AFTER TUESDAY OF EACH WEEK WILL INCUR A LATE FEE OF $5.00. ANY PAYMENT NOT RECEIVED BY WEDNESDAY WILL  MEAN NO FURTHER ATTENDANCE UNTIL ALL FEES INCLUDING LATE FEES ARE PAID IN FULL.

STATE FUNDING CERTIFICATES & TUITION FEES
If a parent is on a state grant, funding source or scholarship for child care fees, that child should be at the center everyday unless an emergency or illness occurs. Most funding sources will only cover from 1 to 3 days of absence per calendar month, depending on the funding source your child is on. If the child is absent more than the allowable days, for any reason, the parent will be responsible for paying the regular tuition fees for all fees not covered by the funding source. In some extreme cases an absentee waiver can be signed and submitted for up to an additional 5 days of absence. Along with this waiver a hospital or doctors letterhead with an explanation must accompany this waiver to be considered.  However, this does not guarantee payment from the funding source. They are reviewed case by case by the funding agency and only extreme emergencies will be covered.  The parent will be required to pay the regular tuition if not paid by the funding source. These fees are from $9.00 to $25.00 per day, per child. Parent’s/Guardian’s are responsible for keeping their child’s funding certificate valid at all times.

FEES DUE REGARDLESS OF ABSENCE
All fees are due in full and in advance regardless if child is present the whole week or any part of the week. Fees are due even if your child is out all week. You are securing your child’s slot. Therefore all fees are always due. All fees are always due in advance and any fees paid after Tuesday will incur a mandatory $5.00 late fee. Any fee not paid by 6:00 p.m. Wednesday means no child care on Thursday until all fees are paid in full including late fees or payment arrangements have been made through the main office.

Any child out for more than a week without prior notice will be dropped from registration, and in order for the child to return, parent will need to pay any outstanding balance, fill out new registration forms with a new notary form as well as pay a new registration fee, along with the first weeks tuition. Parents are allowed one (1) vacation week for the year in which there will be no charge. However, parent or guardian must give Director a minimum of one (1) week’s notice in writing of the week that will be used as a vacation week. We do NOT give refunds for early withdrawal or for unused fees. If center is closed for bad weather the fee is the same.

VACATION ALLOWANCE
One week is allowed for vacation each year, exclusive of the first 90 days your child/children are enrolled. This is the only week your child care fees will not be due during your child’s absence. However, a two week notice in advance must be given to the Director, in writing, as to the dates your child will be out for vacation. If the proper notice is not given in advance, your normal weekly tuition is still due. Note: School-Age children are allowed the same one week vacation off with proper notice during the normal school days during the school year as well as all public school breaks. You only pay if your child is signed up for the full-day care during those breaks. 

INCOME TAX INFORMATION
This center does not issue end of the year income tax statements. It is the responsibility of the parent or guardian to keep your canceled check, money order receipt, or center receipts for your end of the year balance. We will gladly give you a receipt at time of payment if you ask, no matter what form of payment you choose, however you must ask and get your receipt at the time of payment as we do not back log receipts.

Federal ID number and address information for your taxes.
SMART START ENTERPRISES, INC.
FEDERAL ID:         #59-3056899
801 W. Beacon Rod.
Lakeland. FL 33803