Q. What is Salem Child Development Center?
A. SCDC is a nonprofit corporation, licensed by the State Office of Child Care and registered as a private school. Our programs serve the needs of children, ages six weeks through 12 years old.
Q. When was Salem Child Development Center founded?
A. SCDC was founded in 1968 and Incorporated in 1971.
Q. Who governs Salem Child Development Center?
A. SCDC is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors. Board Membership is comprised of parents of children enrolled in the center and community members.
Q. How many sites does Salem Child Development Center operate?
A. SCDC operates 26 sites in Marion and Polk counties including Salem-Keizer, Aumsville, Aurora and Dallas. Three sites provide education & care for children 6 weeks through preschool age. Our 22 school sites provide childcare for kindergarten through 5th grade.
Q. What size staff does Salem Child Development Center employ?
A. SCDC employs approximately 140 staff members. Our staff/child ratio is 1 to 4 for our “continuity of care” program-serving infants to 2 year olds, 1 to 5 ratios for 2 to 3 year olds, 1 to 10 ratios for 3 to 5 year olds, and 1 to 15 for kindergarten to 5th.
Q. What are the staff qualifications and training?
A. SCDC employees are exceptionally dedicated, experienced, and energetic childcare professionals. Employees are highly valued and turnover is exceptionally low, averaging over 14 years at SCDC. Pre-employment criminal background check, drug screening, education and experience references are required of all employees. All employees hold current First Aid/CPR, Food Handler Cards and Child Abuse and Neglect training. A minimum of 20 hours per year continuing education provides advancement and improvement of their teaching skills.
Q. Does SCDC require that children are immunized?
A. SCDC does require that children in our care are up-to-date on immunizations, or have a legal exemption on file. SCDC reports all children to the Oregon Health Department annually.
Q. What are the hours of operation?
A. Center hours are 6:45 am to 6:00 pm, Monday through Friday.
Q. What are the days the center is closed?
A. SCDC closes on legal holidays including Christmas Day, New Years Day, Memorial Day, July 4, Labor Day, and Thanksgiving Day. We also close for three in-service/staff workdays per year: Veteran’s Day, the Friday before Labor Day, and the Tuesday after Labor Day. Early closure (4pm) Christmas Eve and New Years Eve. When the school district closes access to the buildings, those school sites will close accordingly.
Q. What happens for adverse weather?
A. If the public schools close due to weather or emergencies, SCDC programs will also close and no childcare will be available for the children. Parents need to have alternate arrangements should this happen. Closure announcements are available on the radio, TV, and the school district web site. If the center closes while children are in our care, we will notify parents to pick up the children. On delayed school days, SCDC will open on schedule as soon as the staff can safely reach the site.
Q. What kind of programs does Salem Child Development Center offer?
A. SCDC offers developmentally appropriate practices, common core standards curriculum, and a variety of enrichment activities for each age group. Programs address the needs of the whole child and their families. Preschool classes enjoy swimming, gymnastics, and art classes, as well as weekly bus trips around the community. School age programs offer educational and recreational activities to compliment the school curriculum.
Q. What are the rates?
A. Please call or email the main office 503-363-9821 for rates based on the age of your children and your scheduling needs.
Q. Does Salem Child Development Center provide scholarships?
A. Charlotte Mair Scholarship funds are available three times a year to assist families with a financial need to be able to continue to participate in the quality care provided at SCDC. Amounts awarded for up to 50% of SCDC’s monthly tuition varying depending on the individual circumstances and funds available. Scholarships are limited and awarded at the sole discretion of the Board of Director’s scholarship committee.
Q. Does Salem Child Development Center give discounts or credits?
A. SCDC budgets on an annual basis providing monthly tuition rates. Tuition based on arranged schedules with no credit for absences or closures. SCDC offers a 10% multi-child discount on the lower cost tuition. School age programs offer 4:30 pick up rates. Families can apply for vacation credit as follows:
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Full day Infant-Preschool programs: 1 week per Sept to May and 1 week per June, July, August
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School age programs: 2 weeks per Sept to May and 1 week per June, July, August
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2-hour Preschool programs are billed in nine equal payments with no credit given for vacations.
Q. Does Salem Child Development Center accept debit or credit cards?
A. SCDC accepts cash, checks, and money orders. We do not accept cards. When paying by check, cash, bill pay and money orders: please identity your payment with your child’s name and the site program they are attending. Monthly bills are available on-site. Payments may be given to directly to the staff or mailed to the main center at:
SCDC
PO Box 7422
Salem, OR 97303
Federal ID Number 93-0589987