School Year Explorers Childcare | Minnetonka Community Education (2024)

Registration for 2024-25 School Year & Summer K-5 Explorers accepted on a space available basis

Explorers is a high quality, before-and-after-school childcare program for children, kindergarten to 5th grade. At Explorers, we provide children opportunities to learn through a wide variety of activities such as art, music, science projects, cooking, games, writing, reading, crafts, outdoor play, computers, practicing social skills, gym time, dramatic play and much more! There is a balance of activity options that includes large group, small group and individual choices.

$100per child registration fee – non-refundable

Benefits of Explorers

  • Flexible enrollment options including before and/or after school twoto five days per week.
  • Extended hours (6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.) to accommodate the schedule of working parents.
  • Full-day programming on non-school days and during the summer.
  • Conveniently located in all our elementary schools.
  • Low student-to-staff ratios allow staff to give individualized attention to each child.

Types of care available

  • Before and after school: For families who are seeking care beyond school hours. Register for care before school, after school, or both. Both school day options include a nutritious snack.
  • Non-school days: For families who are currently enrolled in the program when school is in session, but also need care on non-school days.
  • Summer: For families seeking care over the summer, when school is not in session.

Schedule

Parents are asked to enroll their children in Explorers on a consistent schedule, twoto five days, at the same increments each week for a minimum of four weeks. Changes to your schedule can be done online. Schedule changes will be accommodated on a space available basis. There is a $10 charge for any change to your child's schedule.

A ten-business day notice is required when withdrawing from Explorers.

Add-a-day requests require a 24-hour notice and must be made directly to your Site Supervisor. Add-a-day rates apply.

Registration Questions

  • How do I register for Explorers?
  • Can my child attend on a day not regularly scheduled (add a day)?
  • How do I change my child’s Explorers schedule?

How do I register for Explorers?

School Year 2024-25Registration Information

Registration for School Year 2024-25opened on March 12. Registration will be accepted on a space available basis There is a $100non-refundable registration fee due at the time of registration.

Minnetonka Community Education uses Eleyo for registering for Community Education classes, including Explorers. Eleyo allows you to manage your Explorers schedule online, register for all non-school days at once, pay with your credit/debit card or checking/savings account, view and print invoices, print tax and dependent care receipts throughout the year and sign up for text message notifications.

Using the steps below, you will create an account for yourself and a profile for all of your family members. Then you can register for Explorers or Junior Explorers. This process should take approximately 25 minutes to complete.

First create an account for yourself and then create a profile for your child(ren). Click this link: https://minnetonka.ce.eleyo.com and use the steps below.

Eleyo Login and Set-up

  1. Access the site by going to: http://minnetonka.ce.eleyo.com . NOTE: Eleyo works best when using the Google Chrome browser.
    1. Select in the upper, right corner of the screen. If you already have an Eleyo Account, enter your email and password to log in and skip to Register for Explorers and/or Junior Explorers below. If you do not have an account, you will need to create one by selecting Sign Up.
    2. Complete the Register a New Account Form and select Create Account. Please note: The account should be created in the parent’s name.
  2. Next, log in using your email address and password. NOTE: An email will be sent from Eleyo with a link to verify your account.
  3. Once logged in, select Manage Relationships on the dashboard to add a family member.
  4. Select Add Family Member/Relationship to add family members. If you have an elementary-aged child, select your child’s grade from the drop down menu then select the current (or upcoming school year, depending on when you are registering) from the School Year drop down to indicate your child’s grade. If your child is preschool aged, you will select Kindergarten and the year they will start Kindergarten.
  5. Select Create Person to complete the profile. Add all family members.
  6. After you have finished setting up your account and created a Profile for your child, you have completed the Account set-up process and are ready to register your child(ren) in the Eleyo system.

ExplorersRegistration

  1. From your main page in Eleyo after logging in, select Explore All Programs in the right hand corner, then choose Explorers School Year Child Care: K-5, Explorers School Year Juniors: Age 3-5 for preschool students or Explorers Summer: Age 4 to Grade 5 for all eligible summer student registrations.
  2. Select your child from the list on the left. After verifying your child’s information, select Looks Good, Start Registering.
  3. Add at least three Emergency contacts for your child’s account and select Continue.
  4. Choose the location your child will attend Explorers and select Continue.
  5. Please read and agree to the Terms and Conditions and select Continue.
  6. Select your child’s start date and what days of the week they will be attending and select Continue.
  7. Next, answer all questions and select Complete Questions and Continue at the bottom of the page.
  8. Add saved Payment Method and enter your payment information. Please note: You will not be charged the registration fee until your contract is approved, usually in 2-3 days. Then, select Complete Registration.
  9. You will be led to a confirmation page. If you wish to register for non-school days at this time, select Register for Non-School Days. Non-school days will be approved closer to the non-school day dates. You may also register another child for Explorers from this page.
  10. You will receive an email confirming your schedule and notifying you that your contract is waiting for review. Once our staff has approved the schedule, you will receive another email with a confirmation. Please note: During the school year, you may change your schedule at any time; however, changes must be made at least 10 workingdays before the effected change date and are accepted on a space available basis.

Can my child attend on a day not regularly scheduled (add a day)?

Currently enrolled Explorers children have the option of attending on days for which they are not currently enrolled. Care is available on a space available basis. Requests must be received by the site supervisor at least 24 hours in advance. A cancellation of an add-a-day must be received with a 24-hour notice or charges will apply. Please call your child’s site with your request.

Explorers Site Phone Numbers

  • Clear Springs 952-401-6975
  • Deephaven 952-401-6917
  • Excelsior 952-401-5631
  • Groveland 952-401-5582
  • Minnewashta 952-401-5481
  • Scenic Heights 952-401-5464

How do I change my child’s Explorers schedule?

Families can request a change in their child’s schedule at any time via Eleyo. Please remember that ten business days are required to make a schedule change.

Please note: Eleyo refers to a student’s schedule as their “Student Contract.” Make sure to do this for each child.

  • Log on to https://minnetonka.ce.eleyo.com. Please note: Eleyo works best when using the Google Chrome browser.
  • Select Explore All Programs.
  • Select View Your Dashboard.
  • Under Your Accounts, select your Explorers Child Care account.
  • Under Current and Upcoming Contracts, select your current contract.
  • Select Change Schedule.
  • Select your new schedule and select Submit Contract Schedule Changes.
  • If you are looking to add-a-day, please contact the Explorers Supervisor at your school.

Payment Questions

  • How much does Explorers cost?
  • Is tuition assistance available for Explorers?
  • How does billing work for Explorers?
  • How do I make a payment for Explorers?
  • How do I update my Explorers auto pay?
  • Is there credit for illness or absence?
  • How do I get copies of my invoices?
  • Can I get year-end summaries of Explorers payments?
  • Extended Absence Policy

How much does Explorers cost?

Explorers Daily Fees:2024-25School Year

Explorers K-5
Deephaven & Excelsior ElementaryDailyAdd-a-day
Before School (6:30-8 am)$13.17$14.17
After School (2:40-6 pm)$18.86$19.86
Before & Afterschool$32.03$33.03
Full Day (6:30 am-6 pm)$62.18$64.18
Clear Springs, Groveland, Minnewashta & Scenic Heights Elem.DailyAdd-a-day
Before School (6:30-8:40 am)$15.23$16.23
After School (3:20-6 pm)$16.80$17.80
Before & Afterschool$32.03$33.03
Full Day (6:30 am-6 pm)$62.18$64.18

**A $100 non-refundable registration fee for Grades K-5 is due at the time of contract approval.

    Non-School Days and Summer
    Non School Days & Summer$62.18

    Currently enrolled Explorers children have the option of attending on days for which they are not currently enrolled.

    Care is available on a space available basis, and requests must be made to the Site Supervisor at least 24 hours in advance. A cancellation of an Add-a-Day must be received with a 24 hour notice or Add-a-Day charges will apply. Please call your child’s site with your request.

    Is tuition assistance available for Explorers?

    Minnetonka Explorers does not offer financial assistance. However, the county in which you live offers ongoing financial assistance to those that qualify. Please contact the Explorers office at 952-401-6838.

    How does billing work for Explorers?

    Fees are charged based on the days and program components you registered for, not on attendance (see prolonged illness for exceptions). You will not receive credit for late arrival or early pick-up, nor when children leave Explorers to participate in other activities.

    An email will be sent mid-month indicating that invoices are ready to be viewed online. The monthly fees will be charged to the credit card or checking/savings account we have on file.

    A $15 fee will be added to your account if your payment method is declined for any reason. Please notify Billing and Enrollment or update your account online if there are any changes to your account. Past due accounts will be sent to collections and may incur legal fees.

    Year-end payment summaries can be accessed online. Our Federal Tax Identification number is 41-6001402. This number is the number you need to complete your childcare expense forms.

    If you are enrolled with your employer in a Flex Benefit Plan, forms will be signed only after payment has been received. Please contact Billing and Enrollment if you have any questions.

    Explorersdoes not offer scholarships. Financial assistance may be available to qualifying families through Hennepin County and Carver County. Please contact the Explorers Enrollment and Billing Department at 952-401-6838 for additional information.

    How do I make a payment for Explorers?

    Families can make a payment at any time to their Explorers Account.

    Please follow the instructions below:

    1. Log in to your Eleyo account at https://minnetonka.ce.eleyo.com. Please note: Eleyo works best when using the Google Chrome browser.
    2. Select Explore All Programs.
    3. Select View Your Dashboard.
    4. Under Your Accounts, select your current Explorers Child Care account.
    5. Under Latest Invoice, select Pay.

    How do I update my Explorers auto pay?

    Explorers families can go into their Eleyo account at any time and update their auto payments on file.

    1. Log into your Eleyo Account at https://minnetonka.ce.eleyo.com. Please note: Eleyo works best when using the Google Chrome browser.
    2. At the upper right corner, select Explore All Programs.
    3. Select View Your Dashboard on the upper right side.
    4. Under Your Accounts, select your current Explorers Child Care account.
    5. On your account page, scroll down to Auto Payments.
    6. Select Choose a Different Payment Method.
    7. Select Add Saved Payment Method, enter your information, and select Save the Payment Method.
    8. Select the new saved payment method from the left side and select Use Selected Payment Method.

    Is there credit for illness or absence?

    If your child is ill, there will be no credit for absence. If your child will be absent from the program for an extended period of time due to illness; please notify Explorers Billing and Enrollment as soon as possible (952-401-6838) to request an adjustment to your monthly Explorers invoicing. Explorers continues to staff all sites. Therefore, if your child is absent from the program due to illness, we require payment as follows:

    • 1 through 4 consecutive days missed from Explorers – parents/guardians will be financially responsible for 100% of the daily fees
    • If 5 or more consecutive days are missed from Explorers - Day 5 and beyond parents will be financially responsible for 50% of the daily fees.

    If your child will not be attending the program because of a scheduled appointment, or other planned absence, please call your site number below and leave a message. If your child is ill, when you call the school to report the illness or pick up your child from school, please remember to also call Explorers before his/her normal arrival time. If you don't notify us in advance of your child’s absence and staff spends time trying to find your child, a $10 child search fee will be assessed.

    Explorers Site Phone Numbers

    • Clear Springs 952-401-6975
    • Deephaven 952-401-6917
    • Excelsior 952-401-5631
    • Groveland 952-401-5582
    • Minnewashta 952-401-5481
    • Scenic Heights 952-401-5464

    If a child does not arrive at Explorers as intended, the site supervisor will:

    1. Contact the school to see if the child was in attendance.
    2. Contact the parents.
    3. If the parents cannot be reached, persons listed as Authorized Pick Ups or Emergency Contacts will be called.
    4. If no one knows the whereabouts of the child, the authorities will be called.

    We take our responsibility to care for your child very seriously. If you neglect to notify us of your child’s absence and staff spends time trying to find your child, a $10 child search fee will be assessed.

    Illness or Emergency

    If your child becomes ill while at Explorers, you will be contacted and asked to pick them up within one hour. We will try to provide your child with a quiet area to rest until you arrive. School district policy requires that children have no fever, vomiting or diarrhea for 24 hours before returning. Please contact us if your child is diagnosed with a communicable disease so we can alert all families that their child may have been exposed.

    In the event of an emergency, parents will be notified as soon as possible. If the parents cannot be reached, we will call the person you have indicated for us to call. If necessary, children will be transported to Methodist Hospital by a local emergency unit for treatment. The child will be transported at the parents’ expense. Children who receive minor injuries will be given first-aid and parents will be notified. All staff are trained in emergency first-aid procedures.

    Vacations and other Plans

    If you know your child will be on vacation, at a play date, has a doctor appointment, or will be gone for any reason, please notify your Explorers site supervisor with the dates that s/he will be gone. There is no credit for missing regularly scheduled days of Explorers. However, you will not incur the additional $10 child search fee.

    How do I get copies of my invoices?

    Explorers families can log into their Eleyo account at any time and download previous invoices. If you need signatures for Reimbursem*nt Plans, please contact the Explorers office at 952-401-6838.

    How to view and download invoices:

    1. Log into to your Eleyo account at https://minnetonka.ce.eleyo.com. Please Note: Eleyo works best when using the Google Chrome browser.
    2. Explore All Programs
    3. Select View Your Dashboard in the upper right corner
    4. Under Your Accounts, select your current Explorers Child Care account.
    5. Under Account Management, select View under Latest Invoice. From there, you are able to view previous invoices and print them. You will see the Tax ID on downloaded invoices.

    Can I get year-end summaries of Explorers payments?

    Explorersfamilies can log into their Eleyo account on January 1 or later to download year-end statements for the previous year(s).

    Procedure to view/print Year End Payment Summary:

    1. Log in to your Eleyo account at https://minnetonka.ce.eleyo.com
    2. Select Explore All Programs
    3. Select View Your Dashboard
    4. Under Your Accounts, select your current Explorers Child Care account
    5. Under Account Management, select Download Tax Information
    6. Download, view and/or print your year-end statement. The Federal Tax ID Number will be on your downloaded year-end statement.

    Extended Absence Policy

    If your child is absent from the program due to illness, we require payment as follows:

    • 1 through 4 consecutive days missed from Explorers - parents will be financially responsible for 100% of the daily fees (this includes non-school days)
    • If 5 or more consecutive days are missed from Explorers:
      • Days 1 through 4 parents will be 100% financially responsible
      • Day 5 and beyond parents will be financially responsible for 50% of the daily fees

    Program Questions

    • Where is Explorers located?
    • Is Explorers in session on non-school days?
    • What is the security system for child pick-up?
    • Do I need to notify Explorers if my child will miss a regularly scheduled Explorers day?
    • Will my child have a snack at Explorers?
    • How does Explorers handle children with food allergies?
    • What if I am unable to pick up my child by 6 p.m.?
    • How do I authorize new people to pick my child up from Explorers?

    Where is Explorers located?

    Explorerschildcare for children in grades K-5 is offered before and after school at each of the six elementary schools.

    School Year ExplorersSites:

    • Clear Springs Elementary School
    • Deephaven Elementary School
    • Excelsior Elementary School
    • Groveland Elementary School
    • Minnewashta Elementary School
    • Scenic Heights Elementary School

    Is Explorers in session on non-school days?

    Explorersis offered on most school release days from 6:30 a.m.-6 pm. These days offer a variety of activities and field trips. Any Non-School Day is taken out of the regular Explorers calendar for billing purposes and families that register for Non-School Days will be billed the daily Non-School Day rate.

    How to register for non-school days on Eleyo:

    1. Log-in to your Eleyo account at https://minnetonka.ce.eleyo.com
    2. Click Explore All Programs in the upper right corner; a drop down menu will appear,
    3. Select your Explorers School Year Childcare Account Number on the right side of your screen,
    4. Select the blue button on the left that says “Register for Non-School Days” under Account Management,
    5. Choose the Attending Child and click on Continue,
    6. Select the school year (under Choose Season) that you are registering for and click continue,
    7. Select your Non-School Days or Late Start/Early Release Day and click continue.
    8. Please note: Eleyo denotes whether it is a non-school day or a Late Start/Early Release Day on the next screen.Dates with a gray triangle exclamation pointmean you have already registered for them.
    9. Select the Location your Child Attends Explorers on a Daily Basis from the drop down menu for each date.

    How to confirm/remove non-school days:

    1. Log-in to your Eleyo account at https://minnetonka.ce.eleyo.com. Please note: Eleyo works best in the Google Chrome Browser
    2. Explore All Programs
    3. Select Explorers Childcare
    4. Select Current and Upcoming Contracts and click on your child’s contract
    5. Scroll down to Non-school Days

    As long as they are still pending they can be removed. If they have been accepted, you will not see a “Remove” option and will need to call 952-401-6838to have them removed as long as it is before the cancellation deadline.

    Please note: You will not be charged the regular rate for any day that a student is regularly scheduled to attend that is also a non-school day. The system cannot take more than one daily rate and the non-school day rate overrides the regular rate. Therefore, a student has to register for that day in order to be able to attend (and charged the rate).

    Explorers is offered on most school release days from 6:30 a.m.-6 pm. These days offer a variety of activities and field trips. These days have a separate registration to accommodate individual family’s schedule needs. Any Non-School Day is taken out of the regular Explorers calendar for billing purposes and families that register for Non-School Days will be billed the daily Non-School Day rate.

    What is the security system for child pick-up?

    Drop off & Pick Up

    Sign in and sign outAll children must be signed upon arrival and signed out upon departure.

    Release of ChildrenYour child will be released only to people listed as authorized to pick up. Staff is required to ask for identification from anyone unfamiliar attempting to pick up a child. If an unauthorized person attempts to pick up your child, you will be contacted. If you cannot be reached, your child will be held until you or your emergency contact person arrives. Please notify billing and enrollment in writing or add them online if you want to authorize additional adults to pick up your child. Copies of legal documents regarding child custody must be provided to the program office before any staff person can actively prevent non-custodial parents from picking up their child.

    Late Pick-Up PolicyExplorers closes at 6:00 pmAll children must be picked up no later than 6:00 p.m. according to the time on the iPad. If an emergency delays you and you are going to be late picking up your child, make plans for someone you have designated as an Authorized Pick-Up person to pick up your child on time, and call the program staff immediately.

    In the event that your child is still at the program after closing and we have not heard from you, we will take the following steps (in order):

    1. Attempt to reach you on your home, work or cell phone number.
    2. Call the people you listed as authorized to pick up your child.
    3. If you are more than 30 minutes late, the police will be contacted for assistance.

    A late fee of $10 is charged for each 5 minutes (or portion thereof) that parents are late picking up a child.

    6:01 pmto 6:05 pm: $10

    6:16 pm to 6:20 pm: $40

    6:06 pmto 6:10 pm: $20

    6:21 pmto 6:25 pm; $50

    6:11 pmto 6:15 pm: $30

    6:26 pm to 6:30 pm: $60

    After the third instance of late pick up, childcare services may be suspended or terminated.

    Do I need to notify Explorers if my child will miss a regularly scheduled Explorers day?

    If your child will not be attending the program because of a scheduled appointment, or other planned absence after school, please call your Explorers site number below and leave a message. If your child is ill, when you call the school to report the illness or pick up your child from school, please also call Explorersbefore his/her normal arrival time.

    Explorers Site Phone Numbers

    • Clear Springs 952-401-6975
    • Deephaven 952-401-6917
    • Excelsior 952-401-5631
    • Groveland 952-401-5582
    • Minnewashta 952-401-5481
    • Scenic Heights 952-401-5464

    If a child does not arrive at Explorers as intended, the site supervisor will:

    1. Contact the school to see if the child was in attendance.
    2. Contact the parents.
    3. If the parents cannot be reached, persons listed as Authorized Pick Ups or Emergency Contacts will be called.
    4. If no one knows the whereabouts of the child, the authorities will be called.

    We take our responsibility to care for your child very seriously. If you neglect to notify us of your child’s absence and staff spends time trying to find your child, a $10 child search fee will be assessed.

    Will my child have a snack at Explorers?

    A breakfast snack is provided for morning Explorers.

    Healthy after school snacks are provided by Nutrition Services. This may include fruits or fruit juice, crackers, cheese sticks, vegetable sticks, etc.

    Snack menus are posted on the Nutrition Services website and are posted at each Explorers site.

    How does Explorers handle children with food allergies?

    If your child has a food allergy, parents must bring your child’s Allergy Action Plan, a Medical Release form and their medications to the site on their first day. Explorers uses Nutrition Services and some processed snacks may include cross contamination at the manufacturing site. Please call Nutrition Services for additional information for Explorerssnack options or encourage your child to always choose the fresh fruit option.

    What if I am unable to pick up my child by 6 p.m.?

    Late Pick-Up

    Explorers closes at 6 p.m. All children must be picked up no later than 6 p.m. according to the time on the iPad at the sign-out table. If an emergency delays you and you are going to be late picking up your child, make plans for someone you have designated as an alternate pick-up person to pick up your child on time, and call the program staff immediately.

    In the event that your child is still at the program after closing and we have not heard from you, we will take the following steps (in order):

    1. Attempt to reach you on your home, work or cell phone number.
    2. Call the people you listed as authorized to pick up your child.
    3. If you are more than 30 minutes late, the police will be contacted for assistance.

    A late fee of $10 is charged for each five minutes (or portion thereof) that parents are late picking up a child. After the third instance, childcare services may be suspended or terminated.

    How do I authorize new people to pick my child up from Explorers?

    From your computer:

    1.Login to your Eleyo account at https://minnetonka.ce.eleyo.com
    2.Explore All Programs
    3.Select Explorers Child Care
    4.Select Account Management
    5.Select Managed Authorized Pickups
    6.Select Add Authorized Pickup
    7.Save Authorized Pickup to save their information
    8.To remove an Authorized Pickup, select the red button on the right side of their information.

    School Year Explorers Childcare | Minnetonka Community Education (1)

    School Year Explorers Childcare  |  Minnetonka Community Education (2024)

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