Tuition
All tuition rates and fees, and any relevant changes in tuition and fees, are approved annually by the Board of Directors of the Elizabeth Mascia Child Care Center. Yearly tuition increases may occur in July. The billing of tuition begins on the agreed start date whether or not your child actually starts on that date. Tuition is billed monthly on an invoice that will be emailed to you. Payment in full is due upon receipt unless other arrangements have been made with the Executive Director.
Upon enrollment and each year following, families must sign a “Tuition Agreement” that acknowledges all of the information pertaining to tuition for the upcoming year. The family member(s) who sign the agreement are responsible for ensuring tuition is paid on time each month. If you have an agreement or court order that another person is obligated to pay all or part of the tuition, you are still responsible to pay EMCCC the full tuition and you must seek that reimbursement from that other person.
Your child is enrolled at the Center on a year round basis. Full tuition payment is required during any absence including sickness, holidays, inclement weather closings, and vacations. The office must be notified at least one month prior to the withdrawal of your child. Otherwise, you are financially responsible for that time.
Payments are accepted in the form of checks, cash, and credit/debit cards (VISA & MasterCard). You are liable for all tuition, fees and other sums due to the Elizabeth Mascia Child Care Center as a result of accepting enrollment and in the event of default payment. You are liable for the additional costs of collection of funds, including an attorney’s fees. Receipts are automatically provided for cash and credit/debit card payments, and by request for other payments. Monthly, quarterly and/or year-end statements will be provided upon request.
There are also various fees charged for specific reasons. EMCCC may add to or modify these fees. If any such modification is made, parents will be advised 30 days before the modified fees go into effect. The following is a summary of those additional costs:
Application fee
This one time fee is collected when the application form is completed. It ensures placement on the waitlist. It does not guarantee future enrollment.
Security Deposit
The deposit is not a fee. A one-month non-refundable tuition deposit is required for each child upon acceptance of enrollment; this deposit will be held without interest. The child is not considered officially withdrawn until a month’s notice is given to the Executive Director.
Late Tuition Payment Fee
This fee is charged any time tuition payments are more than 15 days late according to payment agreements. If your account is 4 weeks in arrears, you will be asked to keep your child home until your account is brought up to date. If your account is not settled by the 6th week, your child will be terminated from the program. You can then only re-enroll if your spot has not been filled. If your account should be in arrears by 4 weeks on 3 occasions during the year, your child will be terminated from the program.
Returned check fee
A fee will be charged anytime a check is returned from a bank due to insufficient funds.
Late pick up fee
This fee will be charged per minute late whenever a child is picked up after closing time and can only be waived at the discretion of the Executive Director.
Trip Fees
Separate trip fees for individual special trips will be charged as appropriate.
Summer Hold-The Spot Fee
For families who plan to withdraw their child during the months of July and/or August, notification must be given to the office by mid March. There will be a non-refundable per child per month fee to hold a spot for September- This does not apply to School-Age students
Subsidies & Scholarships
EMCCC accepts Westchester County child care subsidies and scholarships from various entities as tuition payment as long as parents pay their designated monthly shares. Should child care begin prior to the date that application for payment by the social service agency is approved, the parent or guardian is fully responsible for payment of the standard monthly tuition unless an EMCCC scholarship is applied for and granted. Parents must inform an administrative staff member promptly and provide documentation of any changes to subsidies or scholarships. If a subsidy or scholarship terminates temporarily or permanently for any reason, the full amount of the standard monthly tuition for the specific program immediately becomes the responsibility of the parent unless an EMCCC scholarship is applied for and granted.
Scholarship Program
EMCCC, through the fundraising efforts of the Board of Directors, is able to provide a limited scholarship program to families in need to offset the cost of care. This is done on a case-by-case basis according to family income levels or unexpected financial hardships and according to the availability of funding. Documentation of household income or financial hardship must be provided to the Executive Director when requesting consideration for a scholarship. If all parents are working, they must first apply to the Department of Social Services for a Westchester County Child Care Subsidy. If rejected, consideration will then be given for an EMCCC scholarship. Although an EMCCC scholarship can continue from year to year while a child is in care, it must be requested and documented annually or sooner depending upon the length of time designated for the scholarship by the Executive Director.
Sibling Discount
Families with multiple children enrolled at EMCCC are eligible for a 15% sibling discount. Children of Tarrytown Police and Fire Departments are also eligible to receive a 15% tuition discount. These discounts cannot be combined and are taken off the lowest tuition.