FAQs

  • What are our hours?

    IC3 and IC3 at Kendal are open from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm, Monday through Friday. IC3 After School is in operation from 2:00 pm -5:30 pm and on full days our program is open from 7:30 am – 5:30 pm.

  • How old are the children who attend IC3?

    We serve 132 children from eight weeks to five years of age per day at our Main Campus and 16 children from 8 weeks to three years old per day at IC3 at Kendal. Our Infant Program enrolls babies eight weeks to approximately 18 months old, our Toddler Program enrolls children 18 months to three years old, and our Pre-K Program enrolls children three to five years old. We also run an After School and Summer Camp program for up to 50 children in kindergarten through fifth grade.

  • What is the educational philosophy at IC3?

    We believe in child centered active learning, which means that children learn by doing. Children learn best by engaging and interacting with people, their environment, and objects around them. Teachers design an environment and plan experiences that allow hands-on learning for children in a range of developmental areas, social, emotional, cognitive and physical. We provide opportunities for children to work with a variety of materials and people, to make choices and to have some control over their choices and activities. Visit our Philosophy & Curriculum page for more information.

  • Is IC3 a licensed center?

    IC3 is licensed by the New York State Office of Children and Family Services. IC3 is also accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). We have also received the “Best of Ithaca” award for childcare, presented by the Ithaca Journal and the Ithaca Times.

  • How many teachers and children are there in each class?

    All of our classroom programs provide at least two full time teachers and one part-time teacher’s assistant per classroom. In all age groups, we choose to follow a smaller group size than the maximum allowed by the NYS Office of Children and Family Services. We enroll 6 children per classroom in our infant classrooms with a teacher to child ratio of 1:3, lower than you will typically find at other childcare centers. Our toddler classrooms enroll 10 children per classroom with a teacher to child ratio of 1:5. Our pre-k classrooms range in group size from 12 to 18 depending on the classroom. The teacher to child ratio in pre-k ranges from 1:6 to 1:8. The After School and Summer Camp programs enroll up to 50 children and maintain a teacher to child ratio of 1:10.

  • What is the teacher turnover at IC3?

    IC3 is fortunate to have low teacher turnover. The average number of years a teacher has been working at IC3 is 16 years and 71% of teachers have been working at IC3 for 10 or more years! Visit our Committed Staff page for more details on teacher turnover.

  • Should I send food with my child?

    IC3 has a full-time cook on staff who prepares three meals each day: a morning snack at 9:00 am, lunch 11:30 am-noon, and an afternoon snack at 3:00 pm. The class will dine family-style, taking advantage of the many learning opportunities associated with sharing and good manners. If your child has allergies or dietary restrictions (for instance, if your child may not eat meat or cheese), we can provide substitute foods or you may bring foods to supplement what the Center provides.

  • How much does child care cost at IC3?

    We charge a flat rate for two, three or five days per week enrollment. Scholarships are available on a need basis. If applying for a scholarship, please fill out the Scholarship Application and submit the required financial documents. All applications will be considered, however working families will have priority when awarding scholarships.

  • How do I enroll my child?

    If we have a space available for your child, you will need to agree on a starting date with the enrollment manager. The enrollment manager will then place your child in a classroom after talking with the teachers, and will prepare an enrollment folder for your child. At this time, you must pay a registration fee and a security deposit to hold the space for your child. The registration fee is a one-time, non-refundable fee. The security deposit is equivalent to one month’s tuition at the time of enrollment and is refunded when you leave the Center as long as your account is up to date and you notify us, in writing, six weeks before your child’s last day. For tuition rates please contact us or submit a Scholarship Application.

  • What if there are no spaces available for my child?

    You may place your child on our wait list and when a space becomes available we will call and notify you immediately. It is never too early to get on the wait list! There is a non-refundable fee of $30 for the waiting list, which is applied to your registration fee if you enroll within three months of the date you get on the list. You may fill out the Wait List should you want to place your child on our list, or contact us to inquire about current openings.

  • How will my child adjust to the classroom?

    We require a three-day transition period for new children. On the first day, you will visit the classroom for an hour and a half with your child. You will stay with your child in the classroom the entire time, and then the two of you will leave the Center together. On the second day, you and your child will visit for three hours in the morning. Your child will spend this time in the classroom, and you will be here at IC3 but not in the classroom with your child. (Most parents relax in our staff lounge or lobby. This is also a good time to ask questions about the enrollment forms). On the third day, you can leave your child at IC3 for about six hours and you must be reachable by phone and accessible to the Center in 10 minutes. The third day, when you leave your child at IC3, is the first day for which you pay. If your child takes longer to adjust, we encourage you to take additional times to visit; you will not be billed for extra visits as long as you are here with your child.

  • What if my child does not speak or understand English?

     

    Many children do not speak or understand English when they come to IC3. It is fine for your child to speak his or her native language, since children will acquire English simply by living in this country and by spending time in our classrooms, where language skills are emphasized for all children. The teachers are experienced and will work with your child to communicate and to learn English words. We encourage you to give teachers a list of important words in your language (for instance, yes, no, happy, sad, enjoy, toilet, mother and father) so that they can use these words to communicate basic ideas to your child.

  • How and when will I receive a bill? When and where do I pay the bill?

     

    Tuition statements will be sent to you electronically via e-mail each month. If you prefer a paper statement one can be provided upon request. Tuition is due, in full, by the 1st of each month and may be paid at the front desk by check or credit card (MasterCard or VISA).