Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible to attend Kids & Company?

Kids & Company is open to children ages 4-12 who attend a Council Bluffs Community School District’s Elementary school. Kids & Company does not provide one-on-one care. Children must be able to use restroom facilities by themselves and cannot attend in diapers.

Special Needs and Accommodations: If your child has special needs or has a condition that requires close supervision or additional assistance, please let our office know so that we can evaluate ways to best serve your child. Please review the specific eligibility requirements in the Family Handbook.

*In accordance with Federal Law & U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.

How do I register my children for the school year?

Before your child can start at Kids & Company, you must complete the online registration in its entirety and provide any required documentation. Registration fees and an auto-withdraw payment method for bi-weekly payments must be set up before the registration is accepted. A non-refundable $30 registration fee per child is due at the time of registration. A copy of immunization records and a physical report signed by a physician is required for children enrolled in preschool.

Families receiving DHS Child Care Assistance must submit a Notice of Enrollment, listing the site your child will be attending before registration can be approved.

Are Meals/Snacks provided by Kids & Company?

Kids and Company provides a nutritious snack after school every day.

During non-school days, a breakfast and snack are provided, and whenever possible, the district will provide lunch. Children may need to bring a sack lunch if district lunch is not provided. 

Note: Most schools offer breakfast at 8:00 a.m. Monday through Friday. Please check with your school building administrator for breakfast prices, or other questions about breakfast.

What can we do when the schools are closed or delayed due to snow/cold days?

Snow/Cold day information will also be posted on Facebook and communicated through email. Full day rates apply on Snow/Cold Days only if your child(ren) attend. Hours for snow days are 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

If weather conditions are especially treacherous, the Program Director may decide to close the Kids & Company program early, or in some cases not open at all. These decisions will be communicated as soon as possible to give parents time to make other arrangements.

Does Kids and Company offer full-day care on out of school days, such as holidays?

Kids & Company offers a full-day program on non-school days, such as teacher in-service days. Several Kids & Company sites are clustered into two locations for these special days. Children must be registered for full days in order to attend. Kids & Company is not open during holidays or other occasions when the entire school district is closed.
Important Information:
Information regarding non-school days, holidays, field trips and special events will be communicated through email, social media, and bulletins at each site. Please watch for this information so that you know what is happening at Kids & Company. Be sure to follow Kids & Company Facebook page for your site and CB Kids & Company Facebook page for upcoming information. 

If weather is bad, how will I be notified of delays or cancellations?

Email alerts will be sent and messages will be posted on all Kids & Company Facebook pages.

What should I do if my child is sick or will be absent?

Absences without prior notification may be mistaken for a missing child. This may cause unnecessary concern and a search for the child. If your child will not be attending Kids & Company, please communicate this as early as possible with your Site Director.

Can I have anyone drop my children off or pick them up or do they need to be approved?

All children must be signed in when they arrive and signed out at the end of the day by a parent/guardian or approved contact using assigned PIN’s. If a person who is not listed as an approved contact is picking your child up, please let your Site Director know as soon as possible.

What if I am not there by 6:00 p.m. to pick up my child(ren)?

A $10 late fee per child will be assessed after 6:00 p.m. and every 15 minutes thereafter. Late fees will be added to your SchoolCare Works invoice. If a parent/guardian frequently arrives after 6:00 p.m., childcare services may be terminated.

Do you offer any reduced rates for low income families?

The Council Bluffs Schools Foundation generously offers a Childcare Scholarship (CCS) to a limited number of families on a first-come, first-serve basis. Please see below for eligibility. 

Who is eligible for the Childcare Scholarship (CCS)?

The Childcare Scholarship (CCS) is available to families: 

• who do not qualify for DHS assistance, and have obtained a DHS denial letter,

• whose children attend Kids & Company, and;

• whose gross monthly household income falls within the guidelines established for Free and Reduced Lunch qualification.

How do I apply for reduced rate childcare (CCS)?

Families who qualify for the reduced childcare rate must submit the application for reduced-price meals for children (even if you filled one out for the school), as well as a copy of your DHS Childcare Assistance denial letter.

Do you provide help with DHS?

Kids & Company is unable to provide help with applying for DHS assistance. Families interested in childcare assistance from the State of Iowa Department of Human Services must contact the DHS office at 1-866-448-4605. If you have applied for DHS assistance, you will continue to be billed directly until your Approved Notice of Decision is received from the State. Families are expected to pay invoices in full and on time until the DHS Approval is received by Kids & Company. Kids & Company will reimburse any approved fees DHS pays retroactively.