FAQ

What is MAP?

MAP is the Medfield Afterschool Program, Inc. and is licensed by the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care.  We are a parent run, professionally managed, nonprofit organization that provides quality before and after school care to Kindergarten children and after school care for children in grades 1-8 enrolled in the Medfield Public Schools. MAP has been serving families in Medfield for over 20 years.  We are members of BOSTnet (Build the Out of School Time Network) and NAA (National Afterschool Association).

· Where is MAP located?

MAP has a site conveniently located within or adjacent to Memorial (K-1), Wheelock (2-3), Dale Street (4-5), and Blake Middle School (6-8), so that students are kept within the peer age groups of their school.  We also utilize our modular building at Wheelock for a before and after kindergarten program.   MAP is able to utilize the school playgrounds, gyms, cafeterias, and libraries because of its partnership with the Medfield Public Schools.

· Is MAP academic or recreational?

It is both.  MAP is designed to provide freedom of choice within a structured environment.  At each of our program sites, there is a blend of free choice, enrichment, and recreation within a structured day.  MAP provides children with opportunities for learning through group activities where the kids explore a wide variety of enriching themes, projects, and clubs, homework support, as well as indoor and outdoor free play, to encourage interaction and experiences with their peers.

· I have heard that you can’t get into MAP unless you register for 5 days of care per week.  Is that true? 

NO, we prefer that you only sign up for the days that you really need as this will greatly simplify the registration and scheduling process.

We believe it is important to remain flexible for our families.  Therefore, we provide opportunities for families to change or reduce their schedules with advance notice.  In exchange, we ask families to register in the spring for only those days they need. Registering for days you don’t need means someone else may unnecessarily be put on a wait list.

With two kindergarten programs operating for the past eight years, it has become much easier for kindergarten families to get into our program on the days they need.  In the kindergarten program this year, we have 150 kindergarteners, 28% are enrolled for 4-5 days and 72% are enrolled for 1-3 days.

· I have heard that I won’t be able to get into MAP because there is always a wait list.  Is that true? 

NO, our enrollment fluctuates all of the time as the needs of our families change.  It is important to register.  The simple process involves completing a registration form and returning it to MAP.  If for any reason, we can not accommodate your needs at the time of registration, you can choose to either be placed on a wait list or have your $50 registration fee returned.

· What is the teacher to child ratio that you maintain? 

Our licensing agency, The Department of Early Education and Care, requires 1 teacher for every 13 children.  MAP surpasses these requirements by maintaining a 1 to 8 teacher to child ratio in our kindergarten programs and 1 to 10 or better for children in grades 1 through 8. 

· Who is teaching my child?

Our Educators are qualified professionals with diverse backgrounds and educational experiences including degrees in early childhood, elementary/or secondary education, school age care, recreation, art, drama specialties, and MORE!  Additionally, the MAP Educators obtain between 12 and 20 hours of professional development training each year as required by the Department of Early Education and Care.

· What are clubs?

MAP offers clubs all year long.  Clubs are optional and available to students via a sign-up program.  They provide an opportunity for Educators to explore a topic of interest in depth with the same group of children for about 6 weeks.  Clubs give children the opportunity to learn, make new friends, and experience an important sense of belonging that comes with being a part of a special group.  Some of the clubs we have offered in the past have been: 

Drama chess, spanish, chess, dollhouse, slumber party, video, healthy snacks, science clubs,  

Olympic, Cooking, Sign language, Book, exercise, game, gardening, sports clubs,

Jewelry making, pirate, detective, sewing, knitting, drawing, give back, claymation, comics,
puppet, naturalist, history, Around the World, Australia, walk around town clubs, and much much more!

Check out our monthly newsletters on our program’s website, www.medfieldafterschoolprogram.com  for more information on the types of clubs and activities each program offers.

· Where does my tuition go? 

Since MAP is non-profit, the tuition goes right back into supporting the quality programs we offer.

· What are the tuition payment arrangements?

Upon acceptance in to the program, each family is asked to confirm their enrollment with a two week tuition deposit based on your child’s schedule.  We then take your annual amount and divide it into 10 equal installments payable in advance on the first of the month beginning September 1 of the enrollment year. 

More information about our tuition policies can be found on our website, www.medfieldafterschoolprogram.com  in our Parent Handbook.

· When is MAP Open?

MAP is in operation during the school year and follows the school calendar.  For children in grades 1-8, MAP opens on the first scheduled day of school. (Kindergarten starts a little later -please see the school/MAP Calendar)

MAP is open on some non school days, on early release days, and during the February & April Vacation Weeks.  MAP is not open during the summer.

· Do we need to sign up for early release days?

If your child is normally enrolled on a day that an early release is scheduled, you do not need to sign up.  If your child does not normally attend MAP on the day an early release day falls on and you need coverage you can speak to the Program Director at your child’s site about availability.

· Do we need to provide a snack for our child if they go to MAP?

NO.  MAP provides a variety of healthy snack choices each day.  We try to always offer a fresh fruit option and  we serve water to drink.  If your child has allergies or specific dietary needs we ask that you speak to the director at your child’s program. 

Please contact Gaye Shannon @ 508.359.0003 or email: gayeshannon@verizon.net for more information about MAP or visit MAP’s website, www.medfieldafterschoolprogram.com

THANK YOU!

MAP currently has openings in all of its programs!  MAP offers before and after school programs for children in kindergarten and after school for children in grades 1 through 8 including a drop-in program for students in Middle School.  Please contact the Executive Director, Gaye Shannon at gayeshannon@verizon.net

If you are interested in kindergarten for the 2012-2013 year, please click here!