Click on any of the following questions:
WHO CAN HAVE THEIR CHILDREN AT THE GREENHOUSE?
WHEN IS THE GREENHOUSE OPEN?
IS THERE A WAITING LIST?
HOW ARE FAMILIES ACCEPTED?
HOW ARE CHILDREN SCHEDULED?
IS THE GREENHOUSE LICENSED?
IS THERE A CHARGE FOR CHILD CARE?
HOW IS THE GREENHOUSE FINANCED?
ISN'T CHILD CARE JUST BABYSITTING?
WHO WORKS AT THE GREENHOUSE?
WHY HAVE A CHILD CARE CENTER AT NASSAU COMMUNITY COLLEGE?
WHO CAN HAVE THEIR CHILDREN AT THE GREENHOUSE?
Students, staff, faculty and administrators of the College can use the services of the Center. The majority of the children attending are children of student parents.
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WHEN IS THE GREENHOUSE OPEN?
The Center is open Monday through Friday from 7:15 am to 5:30 pm. The Center follows the College semester schedule and is open throughout the year with the exception of two weeks in August after Summer Session Two, when it is closed for vacation.
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IS THERE A WAITING LIST?
There is an up-to-date waiting list of many families who have expressed an interest in having a child in the program. All interested families are sent a packet which includes an application, a brochure describing the program, and a letter explaining the waiting list process. After they return the application they receive follow up letters, several times a year, which give them additional information on their status. Depending on scheduling needs there is generally a one to two semester wait from the time of application to the time of admission.
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HOW ARE FAMILIES ACCEPTED?
Families are accepted based on a number of factors: date of application, scheduling needs, age of child, and number of children per family. Students are accepted more readily than faculty or staff because they have more flexibility in arranging schedules.
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HOW ARE CHILDREN SCHEDULED?
The Greenhouse provides flexible scheduling and a child's hours at the Center are determined by the parent's schedule of classes or work on campus. To facilitate the child's adjustment to the Center, there is a minimum requirement of 10 hours of child care per week.
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IS THE GREENHOUSE LICENSED?
The Greenhouse is licensed by the New York State Office of Children and Family Services. This license must be renewed every two years. In order to maintain our license we must adhere to the hundreds of requirements established by the regulations. We are also subject to unannounced site inspections of all aspects of our program.
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IS THERE A CHARGE FOR CHILD CARE?
All parents who bring their children to the Greenhouse pay child care fees on a sliding scale, based on their family income. (Eligible student parents receive financial assistance through a federal grant the Center receives each year.) The rates are hourly and semester fees are calculated by multiplying the hourly rate by the number of hours used by the number of weeks in the semester.
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HOW IS THE GREENHOUSE FINANCED?
In addition to parent fees, financial contributions from the Student Government Association and the Faculty Student Association (which enables students to pay lower rates) and the College add to our income. The College also provides the building, maintenance, and funding for special projects to our facility. The Board of Directors of the Greenhouse also conducts fundraising activities throughout the year to supplement our income.
WHAT ACTIVITIES ARE OFFERED AT THE GREENHOUSE?
The Greenhouse provides a full range of activities for children in a friendly and nurturing environment. Children come and go all day at the Center and so a variety of ongoing activities are offered which are based on a monthly center-wide curriculum theme. Children are free to choose from building with blocks, easel painting, playing with playdough, water play, sand play, role playing in the housekeeping area, story time, music and movement. Most importantly, children are encouraged to develop a positive self-image and respect for others, to learn inner controls and self-help skills, and to cooperate with other children and adults.
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WHO WORKS AT THE GREENHOUSE?
A trained staff of full and part time caregivers care for the children at the Center. In addition, College students are hired as classroom aides. The Greenhouse also provides a learning opportunity for student teachers from the Early Childhood Program, and student interns and observers from other departments.
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WHY HAVE A CHILD CARE CENTER AT NASSAU COMMUNITY COLLEGE?
A child care center on campus allows student parents to pursue an education, and to work towards future employment and the ability to support their children. It also allows faculty parents to teach and staff parents to provide support services, all of which are essential to the operation of the College.
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