Prospective Families
Ithaca Community Child-
We are committed to delivering high-quality care in a safe and nurturing environment that actively promotes learning. We maintain a low teacher-to- child ratio and employ professional staff who are highly knowledgeable in child development.
Tuition & Scholarships
Our tuition rates are board approved annually and in effect September 1st through August 31st. For planning purposes please factor in an annual increase.
Tuition
IC3 charges a monthly flat rate for tuition based on the number of days and program the child is enrolled in.
30 % of our families qualify for a scholarship or the childcare assistance program. Learn more about these in the scholarships section.
Scholarships
IC3 is committed to making high-quality care accessible to all families. We do this by offering scholarships to families based on income and employment. Scholarships are prioritized for families in which both parents are working with a gross less than $113,000 per year.
If you would like to receive a quote please submit the scholarship application form and required income verification documentation requested on the form. If you would like a scholarship estimate without submitting all of the required income documentation, please contact us.
IC3 participates in the New York State Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP). For more information click here or contact your local county Department of Social Services for more information
What does tuition support?
At IC3 we strive to offer high quality care, to provide a safe, nurturing environment that promotes learning, to keep the teacher to child ratio low, and to employ professional staff that are knowledgeable in child development. High quality care, however, does not come without cost.
Tuition is IC3’s main source of revenue. Roughly 80% of IC3’s expenses go toward staff salaries. In order to recruit teachers with experience and child development expertise as well as maintain a low rate of staff turnover, it is necessary to offer competitive salaries and benefits to staff.
Nationally, child care is typically a very low paying field and as a result many programs face high rates of staff turnover. At IC3 we are fortunate to have a committed staff. The average number of years a teacher has been working at IC3 is 12 years and 66% of teachers have been working at IC3 for 10 or more years! Because children learn best when they are able to bond and form close relationships with care providers, maintaining low teacher turnover is synchronous with high quality care.
The remaining 20% of IC3’s revenue helps to cover a variety of expenses associated with running a child care center such as teacher training, food, utilities, equipment, supplies, mortgage, insurance, and taxes. As a non-profit, revenue from tuition, grants, and fundraising is just enough to cover our expenses.
IC3 is not just a place for parents to send their child while they are at work, but a place of growth and learning. The first few years of a child’s life are a critical time for brain development. The quality of early childhood education during this time will lay the foundation for life long learning. Tuition is what helps IC3 continue to offer the highest standard of child inspired, professionally nurtured, care and opportunities for learning.
Wait List
If our program is full or you would like to start at a future date you are welcome to join our wait list. When a space becomes available you will be contacted. It’s never to early to get on our waiting list!
Video Tours
Please see below for a virtual tour of our classrooms and gross motor spaces.
IC3's Main Campus
Kendal Program
Frequently Asked Questions
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?
The children in our care are eight weeks to five years old in our childcare program. Children in our School Age Program are 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 (OCFS).As part of our commitment to quality we are accredited by National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and is a QUALITYstarsNY (all labeling of QUALITYstarsNY has to be labeled exactly that way) participant.
A testament to this commitment can be seen through our recent awards “Best of Ithaca” award for childcare, presented by the Ithaca Journal and the Ithaca Times and “Not-For-Profit of the Year” presented by Tompkins Chamber.
How many teachers and children are there in each class?
Our Full Day Programs are staffed with two teachers and one part-time teacher’s assistant per classroom. Our Half Day Pro- grams have one teacher and one teacher’s assistant per classroom. In all age groups, we choose to follow a smaller group size than the maximum allowed by the NYS OCFS. Our infant classroom teacher to child ratios range from 1:3 to 1:4, lower ratios allow us to better meet the needs of our youngest children and offer a higher quality program. Our toddler classroom teacher to child ratio is 1:5. Our Pre-k classroom teacher to child ratio ranges from 1:6 to 1:8. The After School and Summer Camp programs counselor to child ratio is 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?
Once offered a space you will work with our Enrollment and Marketing Manager on the enrollment process. This includes: a tour of the program, securing the space with a registration fee and deposit, completing required paperwork and setting the start date.
What if there are no spaces available for my child?
If our program is full or you would like to start at a future date you are welcome to join our wait list. When a space comes available you will be contacted. It’s never to early to get on our waiting list!
How will my child transition into the classroom?
At the time of enrollment the Enrollment and Marketing Manager will work with you to develop a transition plan for your child. This includes: visits to the classroom, what to bring on your child’s first day and sharing information about your child and family.
During the child’s transition into the program you are welcome to relax in our comfortable lobby.
What if my child does not speak or understand English?
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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).
Interested in registering?
Contact us today.
Please join our waitlist or reach out to us directly for more program information.
United Way
of Tompkins County
FUNDED PARTNER
Ithaca Community Childcare Center is located in the traditional homelands of the Gayogo̱hó:nǫˀ (Cayuga Nation). We acknowledge their painful history of dispossession and commit to supporting their continuous connection to the land.
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