Frequently Asked Questions
How soon do I need to fill out paper work to enroll my child in the center?
As soon as you fill out an application and pay your $15.00 registration (check made payable to ICC may be written when you take a tour of the center), you will be placed in the next available slot for the current or next semester. The rest of the paperwork will need to be turned in at least 1 week prior to enrollment.
Is there any way I can contribute to the center to keep your costs down?
We always have a "wish list" going. Thanks to the generosity of parents we are able to give our children and teachers just a little bit of extras now and then. Some examples of donated items are soft facial tissues, baby wipes, zipper plastic bags, tooth brushes and tooth paste.
Are there any other ways I can help?
We love parent volunteers to help on field trips, or to come read to the children, assist with a special craft project or help with our family events. Just ask!
Do I have to be a student to bring my child to your child care?
No. While we try to give priority to students, our child care centers are open to all staff and faculty of ICC, both part and full time. We also accept "public" children at a slightly higher rate. For information about our rates, see Rates & Procedures.
What if I only have one class I need to take?
Our hourly care is the answer for you. In East Peoria, we are open 7:30am-3:00pm and will take your child for a short period of time while you are in class. At our Downtown Peoria (Perley) site we are opened from 6:30am-5:00pm, no drop offs between 11:00am-2:00pm. We hold your place for the amount of time you need and charge in 15 min. increments.
Please note: You will be charged for the amount of time you need child care throughout the semester. No credits or refunds are given if your child is absent due to illness, canceled class, or other reasons.
I work and I go to ICC. Can you help me?
Depending on the hours of classes and your work schedule, we may be able to help you. Downtown Peoria (Perley) site is open 6:30am-5:00pm. Our hourly room in East Peoria can only take your child for up to 5 hours per day, but the full time room is open from 7:00am-4:45pm (August-May). If your schedule fits our hours, we would love to have you get on our waiting list!
My child is in pull ups, but is mostly potty-trained. Can I bring him?
Unless there is a medical reason why your child cannot use the toilet, your child must be in underwear and in clothing that is easy to get on and off. We strive for independence in all children, and toilet usage is part of that independence. No pull ups or diapers are allowed except for children with documented special needs.
My child is completely potty trained but isn't quite 2 years old. Can you still take her?
No, DCFS does not allow us to care for children until they have had their second birthday.
Are your staff qualified to teach children or are the children cared for by students?
All of our teachers hold Associate's degrees in child development or elementary education. All of our teachers are qualified to be directors of child care centers or preschools in the state of Illinois. We do supervise student teachers from our child development program but those students are never left alone with children. We also employ student workers who help with our kitchen and laundry jobs, but also interact with children frequently. Only our teachers are responsible for the lesson plans, room arrangement and the daily schedules. Please view our Staff.
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My child doesn't nap. I saw that your nap time is 2 hours long!
Our rest time in the full time rooms is 1:00-3:00pm. We expect the children to rest quietly for 1 hour, but at 2:00 if they have awakened or are not sleeping, they may go to the hourly room and play quietly under supervision until 3:00pm. For hourly children in the East Peoria child care, no nap or rest time is offered. The downtown Peoria child care rest time is 12:45pm-2:45pm. One hour after resting quietly the children that are awake may play quietly until rest time is over.
How does your program change during the summer?
We offer year round child care and learning! At the downtown Peoria campus, hours and staffing stays the same. In East Peoria, generally we are open a little later (5:30pm) Mon-Thurs. We also many times will shuffle the teachers around to keep things interesting! We do have lesson plans and schedules and a play-based learning curriculum every day that children are present.
Are you open during mini-mesters?
Yes, we can accommodate extra children during mini mesters. Nothing changes for the downtown Peoria (Perley) child care. The only thing that changes in East Peoria is, if the need is there, the hourly room turns into a full day room and we can keep children more than five hours. If that is the case, we also offer a rest time with cots.
What is your discipline policy?
Our discipline is positive in nature and appropriate for the developmental level of the children. Please see our Guidance and Discipline policy under Application Procedure.
How Do I pay?
You can pay in student services in East Peoria, or in the front office in the Perley building. In East Peoria if you pay by check, you may leave the check in the manager's office. The bill you receive is for the entire semester. You may pay weekly, bi-weekly or monthly by the due date to avoid late charges. Please notify the manager if you are expecting Child Care Connection assistance or grants or loans to help pay the child care expenses.
What is your child/adult ratio?
We strive to have a low adult/child ratio. Depending on the room size and ages of the children, we have no more than 6-8 children per adult for 2-3 year olds and no more than 8-10 children for 4-5's. Many times we have far fewer children than this per adult.
I need child care but cannot afford it, is there any way I can get help?
The ICC Child Care Center is not Child Care Connection. While Child Care Connection gets its mail at One College Drive, their offices are located at the North Campus, Poplar Hall, 5407 N. University, Peoria. Child Care Connection has a referral service to help parents find child care and helps low income families pay for child care. Any questions about Child Care Connection may be answered by calling (309) 690-7300 or email them at ccc@icc.edu.
What do the meals consist of and who provides them?
We participate in the USDA child and adult care food program, which reimburses us partially for providing a well balanced nutritional diet. Breakfast is served between 8:30am and 9:00am and consists of a bread or cereal, fruit or juice and fluid milk. Lunch, which is served around 11:30am or noon, consists of a meat or substitute, two fruits or vegetables or one of each, a bread or grain and fluid milk. Snack is served after nap time usually between 3:15pm-3:45pm and consists of any two of the following components: Fruit, vegetable, grain, meat, milk. We provide all food related to our program, but occasionally ask for donations of extra items, such as for open houses and special events. Menus are available upon request. Ask the child center manager any questions about our meals.
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