Lewis Children's Center: FAQs

1. How much does Lewis Children's Center cost?
Lewis Children's Center charges different amounts for the different ages of children it serves. Please call Carolyn Seay at 553-3244 for specific price information.

2. What are your hours and days of operation?
Lewis Children's Center operates from 7am - 6pm, Monday through Friday.

3. Do you pick up from home and take back in the evening?
No, we pick up children from area schools for after care only.

4. What schools do you serve?
Most of our after-school children come to us from Londgale, Maude Trevvett, Glen Lea, Greenwood, Dumbarton, Chamberlayne, Laburnum, Johnson, Crestview, Ginter Park, Holton, Holliday, Wilder, Brookland, Lakeside, and Glen Allen.

5. What ages do you serve?
Children at Lewis Children's Center range in age from 6 weeks through 14 years.

6. Does my child have to be potty trained?
No, he (or she) does not.

7. Do you help with potty training?
Yes, we help with potty training starting in our 2’s class.

8. What type of curriculum do you have?
We have weekly themes and the teachers do lesson plans according to developmental levels for their age group.

9. What are your ratios?
Lewis Children's Center uses a 1-4 ratio for infants through young toddlers under 16 months, a 1-5 ratio for older toddlers 16-24 months, a 1-8 ratio for a 2 year old, a 1-10 ratio for a 3 and 4 year old, and a 1-18 ratio for a school age child.

10. Are your teachers certified?
Some of our teachers have college degrees, and some have CDA certificates. All of our teachers have in-service training annually.

11. Do you provide religious education?
No, Lewis Children's Center is nonsectarian. We welcome people of all faiths, and we do not provide religious education of any kind.

12. Can I stop by anytime to see your facility?
Yes, but if you can make an appointment, we will be have information ready for you and we will be available to talk with you and show you around. Mornings are the best time to observe activities since we eat lunch at 11 am and nap from 12-2.

13. What does St. Joseph's Villa do?
Our mission is to serve children and their families. We have various programs for different ages and needs for children on campus plus in house support from our services on campus.

14. How long has the staff been there?
Some of our teachers have been at LCC for as long as 5, 10, or even 20+ years, while others have been with us for less than 2or 3 years.

15. Do you offer a sliding scale for payment?
No, sorry, we do not.

16. Do you have any scholarships?
On occasion, we are able to offer scholarships. However, funds are frequently limited, so please do not count on receiving a scholarship.

17. Do you accept DSS funding?
Yes, we do accept DSS funding, but when DSS does not pay the full price, the parent must pay the difference in fee, plus their co pay (if any).

18. Do you serve children with special needs?
Other programs at St. Joseph's Villa serve children with profound special needs. Our program will consider any request on a case by case basis and see if we can accommodate and be the best fit for the child.

19. Do children at LCC interact with children from other programs on campus?
No.

20. Do you still have a swimming pool?
No.

21. If you don’t have a pool, where do the children swim in the summer?
For the last few years we have gone to the North Richmond YMCA on Old Brook Road.

22. Do you serve meals or do I have to bring my child’s food?
We serve breakfast, lunch, and an evening snack.

23. What type of meals do you serve?
Our Culinary Department serves various child-friendly meals that are USDA approved.

24. Do you have a security system?
Yes, a new security system was just installed at Lewis Children's Center.

25. Can anyone pick up my child?
Only people authorized by you are able to pick up your child. We will check their ID and document the information for your child’s file.

26. Do you offer any part time child care?
We offer plans for 2 days a week (Tuesday and Thursday) or for 3 days a week (Monday, Wednesday, and Friday).

27. What type of field trips do you take?
It depends on the age group. The 3’s and 4’s go to the pumpkin patch, to the airport, and to area parks. The school age children go bowling, roller skating, ice skating, putt putt, area parks, zoo, movies, museums, etc.

28. Do you offer a discount for vacation or sick time or have any vacation time?
No.

29. What holidays are you closed?
Lewis Children's Center is closed on New Year’s Day, President’s Day, Memorial Day, July 4, the Friday before Labor Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and the day after, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day. Two of those days are for staff training. When a holiday falls on the weekend, we are closed on the “day observed” by most other businesses.

30. Do you offer drop in care?
We offer drop in care for school age children only.

31. Can you accommodate a special diet?
Yes, but we need documentation from a doctor.

32. Can you administer medicine to my child?
Yes, but we need documentation from the doctor on a specific form required by DSS.

33. Can my school age child attend just in the summer?
Yes, many children do each summer.

34. What do I need to provide for my child?
Parents need to provide diapers and wipes for children who are not potty trained. Please provide a change of clothes for infants through preschool and a blanket and sheet for 2’s through preschool.