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School committee approves Rockland Daycare rate increases, policy updates and revised handbooks
Summary
Members approved a package of changes for Rockland Daycare including modest hourly rate increases, two updated policies, a revised parent handbook and an updated summer program handbook; presenters said the center is at capacity and participates in the voucher program.
The Rockland School Committee approved multiple motions to update rates, policies and handbooks for Rockland Daycare after an extended discussion with daycare staff.
The committee approved proposed hourly rate increases intended to keep the center comparable with nearby programs: a $0.50 increase to before- and after-school rates; infant rates proposed to rise by $0.50 to $10.75 per hour; toddler rates proposed to rise by $0.50 to $10.00 per hour; and preschool and pre-K classrooms proposed to increase by $0.75 to $9.50 per hour. Staff told the committee registration fees would not change and that the center continues to participate in the voucher program.
Committee members then approved two new policies requested by daycare staff: (1) a declined-payment fee (described in the meeting as a $3.50 return/check fee) and (2) extending the daycare closing time to 4:30 p.m. when enrollment supports the change. The committee approved updated Rockland Daycare parent handbook language to align with the district’s before-and-after-school handbook; staff said the handbook adds or clarifies late-payment fees, behavior-management language, minimum enrollment rules and inclement-weather tuition expectations (presenters described a new policy that daily tuition remains owed if daycare closes for inclement weather).
Members also approved the Rockland Daycare 2025 summer program handbook, which staff said extends operating hours to 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at some sites to better serve working parents. Presenters said every daycare classroom is currently at capacity, that the Rockland Daycare serves roughly 5–10 families at the Phelps site (and broader enrollment figures of 80–90 enrolled across programs), and that the before-and-after-school program serves an estimated 50–75 children daily when including Esten.
Motions were made and approved by voice vote; specific mover/second names were not recorded on the public transcript for each motion. Committee members thanked daycare staff for responsiveness to family needs and for expanding hours that families requested.
