Frequently Asked Questions
How long have the teachers worked here?
We’ve been able to retain our staff well beyond the average longevity in the field of childcare.
Do you provide transportation to the schools?
The children attending the Onalaska Elementary Schools receive FREE transportation courtesy of the Onalaska School District.
Do the children need to be toilet trained?
We take children 24 months and older … very few children are fully toilet trained at that age and we welcome children still in diapers. We work with the parents when the children are ready to use the toilet and work with assisted toilet training.
If your child is still using diapers we need to have a supply of diapers, baby wipes and diaper disposal bags (zip-locks work well).
Each child should have a change of seasonally appropriate clothing because anything that happens at home can happen at daycare from spilled orange juice to lapses in toileting to falling in a puddle on the playground.
You will be required to fill out specific forms including a physical and immunization form. Most of the forms will need to be on site prior to the child’s first day of attendance.
How many children do you have in a group?
Group size is determined four different ways simultaneously.
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Age of the child – Ratio of children to adult
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Maximum group size
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Room size
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Number of activities available
Since room size and maximum group size and the number of activities in each room are usually stable, the one remaining factor is Ratio.
Child's Age Licensing Ratio
24 - 30 Months 6-1
30 – 36 Months 8-1
3 Yr – 4 Years 10-1
4 Yr – 5 Years 13-1
5 Yr – 6 Years 17-1
6 Years and Older 18-1
Can I visit my child during the day?
Our purpose for being here is to provide Parental Peace of Mind. You are your child’s parent. You know your child better than anyone else. You are the best person to surmise what your child’s reaction will be if you come and have to leave again without taking him with you. Some children are very sensitive and others take life much more in stride.
We offer lunch to parents or grandparents at $2.00 per meal. Simply call ahead to reserve your meal and you can join your child for lunch.
Do you take children subsidized by the county/state?
Yes – special billing arrangements can be made with the Director for co-payment.
What hours are you available?
We’re open 6:00AM to 6:00 PM Monday through Friday. We close for 9 national Holidays: New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and the day after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve. Holidays will be billed if the holiday falls on one of your normally scheduled days. We do not bill for a Holiday if it falls on the weekend.
What ages of children do you take?
We are licensed to care for children 24 months through age 12 yrs.
Does my child have to take a nap?
Wisconsin licensing requires that if a child is under the age of 5 years and is in a program that operates for 4 hours or more that a rest period be provided.
We provide cots with sheets in a nap room that is supervised by one or more adults. Quiet music is played and the room is darkened. Teachers rub backs helping children to fall asleep. The children who are Non Nappers are allowed up after 30 minutes of rest and enjoy quiet play at a table. They are joined by children who awaken early.
Some children give up naps at age three years and some are nearly 6 or 7 before they no longer require a nap or rest period during the day. If you feel your child no longer requires mid-day naps, simply write us a note requesting that your child be a “Non-Napper.” We will do our best to accommodate your needs.
What discipline methods do you use?
We believe that each child should be responsible for his or her own behavior. We use the 1-2-3 Magic method depending on the age and ability of the child to interact with the teacher.
Never do we practice corporal punishment or a punishment which will harm a child.
How often do you bill? When do I pay?
We bill in advance. Bills are prepared each week on Monday for that week. They are due that day or the next day the child attends during that week. A penalty of $20 is added to your bill for each late payment. You may pay farther in advance if you wish. We also offer ACH transfers directly from your checking or savings account. We offer a 2% discount for clients paying through ACH transfers as well as those paying monthly by the first of the month.
How long have you been licensed?
We were the first group daycare center in Onalaska. We received our initial license on January 7, 1974.
What is your license capacity?
We are licensed for 73 children.
What if my child doesn't like the food that's being served?
The food program at Christian Chapel Day Care is both delicious and nutritious. The food is prepared on site in our own kitchen by our own cooks. Some of the parents comment regularly about the wonderful aromas as breakfast or lunch is prepared.
The children enjoy the food prepared here. We find that usually even the fussiest eater finds something in the meal to eat. Your child will not be forced to eat, but we do encourage children to “taste” some of every food. Some of the children have commented, "I touched my tongue to it."
What do you teach?
We believe that a child is only a child once. We believe if a child can learn to take part in a group situation he or she will be “ready to learn” when they get into Kindergarten. We work with “pre” reading and math skills. We do not do drills or force a child into a program he is either not ready for or would not enjoy. We like to make learning "fun".
Each daily lesson incorporates activities helping children develop Bible knowledge through Bible stories, skills in language, science, social studies and math and to mature in their social emotional issues.