Interlake Child Care and Learning Center

FAQs

Q:  Do you have any spaces available?

A:  We are currently have part-time openings in our Toddler program (Mon, Tue and Mon, Wed, Fri) available immediately and one part time opening in our Preschool program (Tue, Thu).  Please submit a tour request form to us to come take a look at our center if you are interested in future openings.  Please email your tour request form to interlakeheather@yahoo.com.

Q:  Do you offer part time care?

A:  We offer childcare from a minimum of two days per week up to five days a week.  Parents can drop off or pick up their children at any time during our hours of operation (7:30 am – 6:00 pm); but we do not offer a partial day rate.

Q:  Do you offer drop-in care?

A:  We offer hourly and daily drop-in for currently enrolled families only.  Rates for daily and hourly drop-in fees are listed on our rate sheet.  Some families are part time (meaning they attend 2-4 days a week) and they may request a day or part of a day that they do not normally attend for “drop-in” care.  Currently enrolled families may contact the office to request drop-in and inquire about availability.

Q:  How do I get on your wait list?

A:  The first step to getting on our wait list is to come and tour our center, by first sending us the tour request form and reading the tour policy.  We do not allow families to be on our wait lists without touring our center.  We want to make sure that Interlake is the right program for you and your child.  We will endeavor to make appropriate arrangements for out-of-town or international visitors.

Q:  May I come and visit?

A:  Yes! You can come and visit Interlake by setting up a tour. Please fill out and mail or e-mail our tour request form. We will call you to schedule the next available tour based on our anticipated availability of space. We do not allow drop-in tours. After you tour, you may choose to fill out a Wait List Application.

Q:  How long is your wait list?

A:  The lengths of our wait lists vary according to the room.  We usually have predictable spaces available on a regular basis, when currently enrolled children graduate or move up into the next program.  Most spaces become available between June and September of each year.  You may schedule a tour now for a fall 2011 opening.

We recommend that you tour as far in advance as you require care as is possible (18 months before you need care to start is ideal).  It is a good idea to plan for infant care as soon as you know you are having a child.  Please refer to our wait list policy for any additional questions.

Q:  How will I know if a space becomes available?

A:  We will contact you as soon as a space that suits your needs becomes available; usually about a month in advance of the date you would like care to begin.  (*See wait list policy link above)

Q:  What is the charge for being on your wait list?

A:  We do not charge families for being on our wait list.  We do, however, require that families contact us if they want to remain on our wait list beyond the month for which they initially requested care. (See wait list policy)

Q:  Do you offer subsidized tuition options?

A: The City of Seattle helps low and moderate income working families pay for child care for children ages one month to 13 years. Interlake is among the 135 licensed child care centers and homes which contract with the City to provide high-quality and affordable child care.  For more information about this child care assistance program, click here.

Q:  What are your health policies?

We follow Public Health Guidelines.  Click to view our complete Health Policy 2011.

Q:  What is your current weather related closure policy?

Updated Snow/Adverse Weather Policy as of December 8, 2010

The board of directors of Interlake has determined that Interlake will return to our previous policy of following the Seattle Public Schools’ (SPS) Ice & Snow Emergency Schedule. If SPS close, start late, or close early so will Interlake. To stay informed of SPS snow closures, check www.seattleschools.org or www.schoolreport.org.

If Seattle Public Schools are on break, the Executive Director (Carol) will make the decision regarding closures or late openings related to adverse weather conditions. Should Interlake be closed, open late, or close early, the information will be posted on the doors and the website, and the outgoing message will be changed to reflect that day’s schedule. Interlake staff may call you to apprise you of weather-related closures.  For this reason, please ensure that Interlake has current contact information for you and promptly notify the school if your contact information changes.

FLOOD:

During the school day, if the building is being flooded (ground water, sewage, debris, etc.) we will close the center. Parents will be called to pick up their children for the day. If the affected areas can be safely cleaned and sanitized in time, the center will open the following day. If a flood occurs overnight, parents will be notified as soon as possible of the closure for the following day. Information regarding the closure due to flooding, will be posted on the doors, website, and an email via our private website. The outgoing phone message will be changed to reflect the affected day’s schedule by 6:00 am.

POWER OUTAGE:

During the school day, if a power outage lasts more than 30 minutes, we will close the center. Parents will be called to pick up their children for the day. If the power outage happens overnight and the center is still experiencing an outage at 6:00 am, we will post the closure on the outside doors of the building and note the closure on the outgoing voicemail and the website. If possible, we will send out an email via our private website.