Miller Explorers Guidelines

MILLER EXPLORERS

2025-2026 GUIDELINES

1. INTRODUCTION

Welcome to the Miller Explorers Before and After School Program! As a part of Noblesville Schools, we are happy to have the opportunity to provide before and after school services for the students (K-6) enrolled in Noblesville Schools. Our mission is to inspire students to create, discover, and imagine. We cultivate a culture of inclusivity, community, connection, and respect through hands-on, exploratory-based learning experiences. We are pleased that you have chosen us to care for your student, and we pledge to take that responsibility very seriously.

2. ELIGIBILITY and LOCATIONS

The Miller Explorers Program is a service that provides before and after school care for students (K-6) enrolled in Noblesville Schools. Because the Middle School has a later start time, 6^th grade students are only eligible for after-school care; we do not provide before school care for 6th grade students. Your student(s) must attend Noblesville Schools to enroll in the Miller Explorers Program. Our program is offered at all seven elementary buildings. Each Miller Explorers site is staffed with a Site Manager and Program Assistants.

3. SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS

Noblesville Schools manage Miller Explorers and hire the Miller Explorers employees. However, the Miller Explorers staff may not have the same training, and the program does not have access to the same specialized staff support that some students receive during the typical school day. If you believe your child may require specialized support (i.e. safety, counseling, therapy, behavior), please contact the Miller Explorers Program Coordinator (salena_smith@nobl.k12.in.us) to set up a meeting. Miller Explorers strives to provide an accommodating environment for our students. The Miller Explorers Program Coordinator will collaborate with the family and appropriate staff to create a success plan for your child before their first day in the program. Some students may need specialized support that Miller Explorers cannot offer. To ensure the safety and care of all of our students, it is imperative to discuss if a success plan would allow your child to participate in Miller Explorers or if an alternate childcare program would be a better fit for your child.

4. REGISTRATION and WAITLIST

To enroll your child, please visit the Miller Explorers page on the Noblesville Schools website. Click on the Miller Explorers Registration tab and follow the directions for EZChildTrack.

A non-refundable registration fee of $45.00 per child is due upon acceptance into the Miller Explorers program. Throughout the process, all enrollments for the program are based on a first-come, first-served basis using the criteria above. If a program becomes full, a waiting list will be established. Families from the waiting list will be contacted as openings occur. For parents of sixth-grade children who wish to enroll their student in the Miller Explorers after-school program (reminder, before care is not available for 6^th grade students), contact Salena Smith at (317) 773-3171 ext. 10627.

If you wish for your child(ren) to continue with our program during subsequent years, you must

complete a new enrollment application each year.

5. WITHDRAWALS

When withdrawing a student from the Miller Explorers program, a written two-week notice must be emailed to miller_explorers@nobl.k12.in.us. Once enrolled, students are considered enrolled for the entire school year.

If a student is withdrawn without the required notice, the parent or guardian will be financially responsible for an additional two weeks of fees. Refunds of prepaid fees will only be issued when proper two-week notice is given.

If you withdraw from Miller Explorers at any point within two weeks before or after the start of the school year (July 16 – August 15), a $50 withdrawal fee will apply in addition to the tuition due for the required two-week notice period. Due to the high demand for our program, last-minute withdrawals at the beginning of the school year limit our ability to offer services to families on the waiting list. While we understand that plans can change, this policy ensures we are able to welcome as many students as possible at the start of the school year. Thank you for your understanding and partnership.

6. 2025-26 CALENDAR and HOURS OF OPERATION

The Noblesville Schools’ Miller Explorers Before and After School Care program will operate on the Noblesville Schools’ school calendar. The program is open from 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (excluding school hours). Miller Explorers will be available for seasonal intersession(s) during school calendar breaks (closed on holidays). Miller Explorers will offer programs throughout the school year and summer. The exceptions include but are not limited to holidays, staff development week before the first week of school, winter weather days, and teacher work days.

Please note that since we charge tuition based on the Noblesville Schools’ calendar, we do not offer

vacation freezes to tuition costs. We understand that your childcare needs may vary from week to week,

however, we cannot alter your enrollment options on a weekly or monthly basis.

1^st Semester
July 30th	First day of Miller Explorers
August 25th	Professional Development Day – Care is offered from 6:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. at two locations. Families must be registered to attend.
September 1st	Closed for Labor Day
September 2nd - 29th	Registration for Fall Break Camp & Parent/Teacher Conferences
September 25th & 26th	Parent/Teacher Conferences - families must register to attend on these afternoons
October 13th – 17th	Fall Session Week 1
October 20th – 24th	Fall Session Week 2
November 12th	Professional Development Day – Care is offered from 6:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. at two locations. Families must be registered to attend.
November 24th- December 15th	Registration for Winter Break Camp
November 26th - 28th	CLOSED for Thanksgiving Break
December 22nd & 23rd	Winter Session Week 1
December 24th - 26th	CLOSED for the Christmas Holiday
Dec. 29th, 30th, & Jan. 2	Winter Session Week 2
2^nd Semester
December 31st & Jan. 1st	CLOSED for New Year’s Eve & Day
January 5th	CLOSED for Teacher Work Day
January 19th	CLOSED for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
January 26th	Professional Development Day – Care is offered from 6:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. at two locations. Families must be registered to attend.
February 16th	CLOSED for Presidents’ Day
February 17th – March 16th	Registration for Spring Break Camp
March 2nd	Registration for Summer Camp Opens (current families)
March 9th	Registration for Summer Camp Opens (non-M.E. families)
March 18th	Professional Development Day – Care is offered from 6:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. at two locations. Families must be registered to attend.
March 30th – April 3rd	Spring Intersession Week 1
April 6th – 10th	Spring Intersession Week 2
May 4th	Registration for 2026-27 Miller Explorers Care Opens to CURRENT Families
May 14th	Registration for 2026-27 Miller Explorers Care Opens to NEW Families
May 26th	CLOSED for Memorial Day
May 29th	Last Student Day
June 1st and 2nd	Closed for Summer Staff Training
June 3rd – July 17th	Summer Intersession Weekly

7. WEATHER DELAYS and EMERGENCY CLOSINGS

When a two-hour delay is called due to inclement weather or emergency conditions, the Miller

Explorers program will be open on a one-hour delay. On two-hour delay mornings, Miller Explorers will

open one hour later at 7:30 a.m. at all seven locations. Miller Explorers students not registered for AM care may drop in on a 2-hour delay morning for an additional fee of $25.

The Miller Explorers program will also be closed when Noblesville Schools are closed due to inclement weather or emergency conditions. We do not offer refunds for days the program is closed due to these unique and rare situations. We apologize for this inconvenience.

For additional information about weather-related delays and closings as they happen, please check local radio and television stations or check the Noblesville Schools Facebook and Twitter pages.

8. CURRICULUM DESCRIPTION

Our curriculum is implemented by trained staff and guided by the Indiana Standards and Specialty Standards for before- and after-school programming. The curriculum for Miller Explorers will be an extension of our innovative educational culture, focused on enrichment activities like learning games, STEM activities, Art, Music, and more. Homework assistance will also be available.

9. 2025-26 RATES

Rates are subject to change.

Non-refundable deposit (due upon acceptance)	$45.00 Registration
Weekly Rates (includes morning snack and afternoon snack) AM hours: 6:30 am – 7:35 am (8:15 am Wed only) PM hours: 2:35 pm – 5:30 pm	5 Days a Week	3 Days a Week	2 Days or less
AM & PM	$140.00	115.00	$95
AM Only	$60.00	$50.00	$40
PM Only	$120.00	$95.00	$60
Additional Fees:
Credit Card Transaction Fee	3.5% per transaction
eCheck Transaction Fee	$1.75 per transaction
There is no additional fee for paying by check. Checks must be mailed or delivered directly to the Educational Service Center building at 18025 River Road. Please ensure checks are made payable to Noblesville Schools, Attention Miller Explorers.

A written one-week notice is required for a change in the attendance plan. The change in the attendance plan can be made in EZChildTrack or emailed to Miller_Explorers@nobl.k12.in.us.

2 or 3-day-per-week Enrollments: Depending on the program’s capacity, families enrolled for 2 or 3 days per week may have the flexibility to select which days their child attends, with the option to vary those days each week. To make changes, families must notify the Site Manager via email by the Sunday prior to the upcoming week. Without prior notice, attending on days other than those originally scheduled will result in a drop-in fee. On weeks with fewer than 5 school days, no credits will be issued if a closure falls on a day the child is typically scheduled to attend. It is the family's responsibility to adjust their selected days accordingly in order to maximize their allotted days. To ensure safe staff-to-student ratios, the Site Manager and/or Program Coordinator may deny requests to attend on an unscheduled day if the program is at capacity.

Drop-In Rate: Students enrolled in a weekly attendance plan may drop in on an unscheduled day for an additional fee up to 5 times per semester before being required to register for an additional weekly program (as long as space in the program allows). The afternoon drop-in rate is $40 per session, and the morning drop-in rate is $25 per session. Only students enrolled in a Miller Explorers weekly plan may utilize the drop-in option. Please notify the program Site Manager and your child’s teacher on the days your child attends.

Breaks and Summer: Miller Explorers operates full-day sites during fall, winter, spring, and summer

breaks at select locations. A different fee applies to breaks. Programming for breaks will be held at one

or two locations, and these locations may rotate throughout the year. Information and directions for

registration will be posted on the Miller Explorers webpage. We do not offer drop-ins or daily rates. Registration closes two weeks before the start of the break. Once the registration window closes, families are still expected to pay for weeks their child(ren) is enrolled in a break. Due to low enrollment, Miller Explorers reserves the right to close or combine sites over breaks. Discounts are not available during breaks or summer.

Professional Development Days: Noblesville Schools have scheduled four professional development days for the 2025-26 academic year: August 25, November 12, January 26, and March 18. Students will not attend school or have eLearning activities on these specific days. However, the Miller Explorers program will provide a childcare option for K-5 students at two locations to accommodate families and staff. The fee for attendance is $60 per student per day, covering care from 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., with tuition due upon registration. Registration is mandatory for attendance, and registration closes one week before each Professional Development Day. Due to limited space, priority registration will be given to current Miller Explorers families starting in July for all Professional Development Days. A waiting list will be established once capacity is reached.

Multiple Child Discount: Families with more than one child registered with Miller Explorers may be eligible for a 10% discount for each additional child enrolled in Miller Explorers. The discount applies to the weekly fees for before- and after-school care only. The multiple-student discount cannot be combined with any other discounts, and no refunds will be provided for previous payments if a multiple-student discount is applied later.

Military Discount: Miller Explorers offers a 10% discount for direct dependents of military service

members. To apply for this discount, the individual must provide Miller Explorers with a copy of his/her

current military ID. The discount applies to the weekly fees for before and after school care, summer,

fall, winter, and spring programming. The military discount cannot be combined with any other

discounts, and no refunds will be provided for previous payments if a military discount is later

applied.

Noblesville Schools Employee Discount: Miller Explorers offers a 10% discount for direct dependents of

Noblesville Schools Employees. To apply for this discount, the individual must provide Miller Explorers

with the employee's name, job title, and the building where he/she works. The discount applies to the

weekly fees for before and after school care, summer, fall, winter, and spring programming. The

employee discount cannot be combined with any other discounts, and no refunds will be provided

for previous payments if an employee discount is applied later.

Financial Assistance: Financial assistance may be available and is based on the government funding

guidelines. Any family currently seeking financial assistance must apply and qualify for the Free/Reduced Lunch Program to be eligible for financial assistance. You must reapply for financial assistance each school year within 30 days of the first day of school, and there will be no refunds for scholarships awarded for previous payments if the scholarship is later applied. Please contact Donna Hess at 317-773-3171 ext. 10604 for more information. Miller Explorers does not accept CCDF vouchers. Families receiving financial assistance are not eligible for any other discounts.

10. FEE PAYMENT POLICY

PLEASE NOTE THAT FOR INTERNAL AUDIT PURPOSES, WE DO NOT ACCEPT CASH PAYMENTS.

1) Your responsibility for payment begins with the first day your child attends and extends to two weeks after notification of withdrawal. To maintain a high-quality standard, we must budget for the daily cost of compensating our staff. Therefore, your account will be charged for the plan you have registered for, including dates when your child may be absent.

Please understand that payment credit cannot be given for illness, vacation, or absences.

2) All payments must be made through our online payment system, EZChildTrack. The online payment system accepts credit cards and e-checks.

● Payments are due by 5:00 p.m. each Friday before the week’s attendance.

● If your account is in arrears, we reserve the right to withdraw your child from the program and place him/her on a waiting list until the account has been paid in full. Upon receipt of your payment, your child can be reinstated only if space is available. Outstanding balances that are not paid promptly will be transferred to the State of Indiana, at which time additional charges will apply.

3) All accounts are subject to periodic audit. Please note that you will be held responsible for any unpaid charges discovered during an audit.

For any questions regarding payments or fees, please contact Donna Hess at 317-773-3171 ext. 10604.

11. SNACKS

Miller Explorers provides a morning snack and an afternoon snack daily. Snacks are included in the fees for all students. Food may be supplied from home; however, we ask that you follow the guidance given by your Site Manager regarding life-threatening allergies in your child’s program.

If your child has any food allergies or special dietary requirements, please list this information in EZChildTrack and communicate this important information to the Site Manager.

12. DRESS

All students must be dressed appropriately for the day’s activities. We encourage parents to dress students appropriately for outside play, depending on the weather.

13. ARRIVAL and DEPARTURE

Students attending the Miller Explorers Program must be brought to the designated door by an adult no earlier than 6:30 a.m. Students must be signed in and out in EZChildTrack using the designated pin number.

At all Miller Explorers program locations, entrance doors are always secured. Please do not hold any door open for others – each family must enter independently.

Students will only be released to a parent, or to those people who have been listed on the student’s enrollment form as authorized to pick up. Identification will be required of anyone with whom our staff is not familiar.

14. LATE PICKUP

Our program closes at 5:30 p.m. We realize that, on rare occasions, traffic or weather conditions may prohibit you from arriving on time to pick up your child. However, we will assess a late pick-up fee of $25.00 every 10 minutes, beginning at 5:31 p.m. This fee will help to offset the extra expense to our budget when our staff must stay beyond closing time. Multiple late pick-ups (3 or more) could result in the student’s dismissal from the program.

15. ACCIDENTS and EMERGENCY PROCEDURES

In the event of an accident or emergency, our staff must be able to reach a child’s parents or an emergency contact. Please promptly report any change in address or daytime telephone number to our staff and provide emergency contact numbers where someone can be reached during our program hours.

16. THREAT ASSESSMENT

At Noblesville Schools, we take the safety of our students very seriously. Each school has a safety team that works with you to figure out the best plan for each student. If a student makes a threat during Miller Explorers, your child cannot attend Miller Explorers morning care, ride the bus to school, or go straight to class the next school day. Your child will need to meet with a member of the school safety team first thing the next school day. If your child makes a threat during Miller Explorers afternoon care, you will receive a phone call from the Site Manager as well as a letter when you pick up your child.

17. ILLNESS

A student must be free from all symptoms of illness for 24 hours before returning to our program. Please do not send a sick student to the program. If you are unsure, we invite you to call us to discuss the situation first. If your child becomes ill during the program day, we will isolate him/her, make him/her as comfortable as possible, and contact you to pick up your child. Students who are ill should be picked up promptly. The decision regarding whether or not an ill student may remain at the program is entirely at the discretion of the program staff and/or the school nurse.

The following are signs and symptoms identified by Noblesville Schools as reasons students must be kept at home and taken to a doctor if they warrant such action.

Fever (over 100 degrees)	Students must not return until they have had a normal temperature for 24 hours without fever-reducing medication. Students on antibiotics for contagious diseases such as tonsillitis, bronchitis, or pneumonia must not return to school until they have taken medication for 24 hours or as specified by a medical provider.
Vomit and/or Diarrhea	Students must stay home if they’ve had vomiting/diarrhea more than twice in the preceding 24 hours.
Sore throat (pustules and/or blisters in throat)	Students must be fever free for 24 hours. Diagnosis by a medical provider will determine if student is contagious or not. If medication(s) are prescribed, student must take for 24 hours or as specified by a medical provider before returning to school.
Rash	Diagnosis by a medical provider will determine if student is contagious or not. If student is contagious, he/she cannot return to school until prescribed treatment has been started or as specified by a medical provider.
Pink Eye or Discharge from Eyes	Students must stay home until a medical provider has made a diagnosis, antibiotic has been taken for 24 hours, and drainage from eye(s) has stopped.
Open/draining sores	A medical provider needs to confirm if contagious or not. Appropriate treatment should be started before student returns to school. Keep open wounds covered at all times while in school.
Ringworm	Diagnosis by a medical provider must be made and anti-fungal treatment needs to be started. While in school the site must be covered.
Communicable Diseases	If a student is ill, has a communicable disease that is transmissible through normal school contacts, poses a substantial threat to the health and safety of the school community, or is infested with parasites, the school nurse may send the student home. The nurse will communicate with the student’s parent and describe the nature of the illness or infestation. The student may return to school when the following criteria is met: ● The student's return to school meets the guidelines in the current edition of the Indiana State Department of Health Communicable Disease Reference Guide for Schools, and if recommended, ● The student or family provides a medical provider’s letter stating it is safe for the student to be readmitted.

18. DISPENSING MEDICATION

During days when school is in session and to safeguard the transportation of medication to and from school, all prescription and over-the-counter medication should be brought to the school nurse by a parent or guardian during school hours. The school nurse will administer all prescription and non-prescription medications to students. Students are not permitted to carry any medication without a physician’s written statement.

During school breaks, when school is not in session, Miller Explorers staff cannot access the nurse clinic medication cabinet. Therefore, parents may bring the prescription medication needed that day and sign in with the Miller Explorer staff. All prescription and non-prescription medications will be administered to students by trained Miller Explorers program staff if they meet the requirements below.

In accordance with Indiana law and with the Noblesville Schools’ policy, medication may be dispensed to Miller Explorers participants only when the following conditions are met:

Medication at school must include:

● A labeled prescription container with the child’s name and instructions

● A written order from the medical provider

● A signed parent permission form on file

● Non-prescription medication in the original container

If any medication remains at school when it is no longer to be taken, it must be picked up by the parent/guardian. Medication that has not been picked up by the end of the school year (or the end of a break) will be destroyed. Any decision on the administration of medication will be made by Noblesville Schools administration.

19. ACCESS TO TECHNOLOGY

When Miller Explorer program participants use school computer equipment, the Noblesville Schools’ Technology and Internet Acceptable Use Policy applies. Violations of this Policy may result in consequences ranging from restrictions or loss of technology privileges up to and including suspension or expulsion from the program.

20. PERSONAL BELONGINGS

Please do not allow your child to bring personal items from home. On special occasions, the Miller Explorers staff may invite students to bring an item from home as part of a particular activity. Parents will be notified in advance of those times. Miller Explorers and Noblesville Schools are not responsible for lost or stolen personal items.

21. BEHAVIOR PHILOSOPHY

The purpose of discipline in our program is to positively guide students in developing socially acceptable ways of expressing their needs and feelings. The program staff first accomplishes this by modeling respect for self and others. Staff members will set consistent routines, procedures, and choices in student-directed activities in the learning environment. When disruptive behavior endangers the safety of others, the student(s) will be redirected toward acceptable behaviors or activities. Appropriate behaviors are encouraged through praise and a variety of reinforcers. Occasionally, the Miller Explorers Site Manager and/or Miller Explorers Program Coordinator may feel it is in the best interest of the student(s) to send a student home and/or suspend a student from the program. The length of the suspension may depend on the severity of the behavior and/ or the number of previous disruptive behaviors. There will be no adjustment to weekly tuition due to suspensions. If misbehavior continues, a parent conference will be necessary to develop a plan for appropriate behavior. If disruptive behaviors do not improve, the student may be withdrawn from the Miller Explorers program. A child may be immediately dismissed from the program if the student’s behavior is detrimental to the child or to the well-being of others in the program.

22. PARENT COMMUNICATION and INVOLVEMENT

Miller Explorers staff members strive to maintain close communication with parents through various avenues, including notes, electronic communications, phone conversations, newsletters, and conferences. Parents are welcome and encouraged to visit any time during our hours of operation. All program visitors and volunteers must have the appropriate background check approved to spend time in the Miller Explorers program. Please check with our staff in advance to see how you can volunteer or help.

Should a parent have concerns or be upset about a situation, we are more than willing to address the matter through discussion. However, our parents must treat our staff with respect and dignity. In the event that a parent exhibits disrespect or unruly behavior via email, phone, or in-person interactions, please be aware that Miller Explorers reserves the right to withdraw your child from the program immediately.

23. MORE INFORMATION & PROVIDING FEEDBACK

More information about Miller Explorers can be found on the Noblesville Schools website on the Miller Explorers page. If you cannot find answers on the website, please feel free to contact our office at 317-773-3171 ext. 10604 or miller_explorers@nobl.k12.in.us.

We value feedback from our parents and guardians to evaluate and improve our program. Parents are encouraged to address concerns or share ideas openly with program staff. Should you have a question, suggestion, or area of concern, please bring it to the attention of your Miller Explorers Site Manager. If any issue remains unresolved, please contact Salena Smith (Miller Explorers Program Coordinator) at 317-773-3171 ext. 10627 / Salena_smith@nobl.k12.in.us or Kayla Van Hook (Director of Early Learning and Care) 317-773-3171 ext. 10609 / kayla_vanhook@nobl.k12.in.us for assistance.

ADDENDUM: MILLER EXPLORERS SUMMER CAMP POLICIES

Eligibility Your student MUST have completed kindergarten to attend the Miller Explorers Summer Camp. Incoming kindergarteners are not eligible to attend.
Enrollment Deadline: Weekly camps are open for enrollment until two weeks (Sunday at 11:59 pm) prior to the start date of each week. Please keep in mind that we have limited enrollment and a waitlist may occur. Providing the family account is current, camp enrollment will be filled on a first come/first serve basis.
Cancellation Policy: Camp withdrawal notice must be received by email to miller_explorers@nobl.k12.in.us two weeks (Sunday by 11:59 pm) prior to start of the camp. Failure to provide cancellation notice by the deadline dates will result in your account being charged for that week’s camp.
Field Trips:

● To participate in the field trip a permission form and liability waive signed by the parent/guardian must have been returned before the trip.

● Attire must be appropriate for the occasion.

● Sunscreen can be supplied by parent. Please make sure students know where the sunscreen is in their backpacks and is labeled with your students name. Staff are not permitted to rummage through students' backpacks.

● Wear seat belts if provided and adhere to any safety instructions specific to the mode of transportation (bus, van, etc.).

● Remain in designated areas and avoid restricted or unsafe areas.

● Treat all venues, facilities, and equipment with care and respect.

● Keep personal belongings secure and organized throughout the trip.

● Avoid bringing unnecessary valuables or large money.

Field Trip Behavior Expectations*:

● Miller Explorers reserve the right to prohibit students from attending field trips because of behavior concerns or other concerns about student safety*.

● Respect all instructions from Miller Explorer staff and employees at the field trip location.

● Always stay with the group and avoid wandering off without permission.

● Use appropriate behavior and language that reflects positively on the camp and its participants.

To ensure the safety and well-being of all participants and maintain the integrity of the camp's rules and expectations, we have a procedure in place for addressing behavior issues. If a child does not follow the field trip rules despite our staff’s best efforts and interventions, we may need to ask parents to pick up their child as a last resort. Please rest assured that our staff is dedicated to supporting students using best behavior practices. The steps typically involved include:

*Parental Involvement in Case of Rule Violations:

Notification: Parents will be promptly notified by camp staff or counselors regarding the rule violation and the need for them to pick up their child.
Discussion: Camp staff will discuss the incident with parents, providing details of the behavior and any previous interventions attempted.
Arrangements: Parents will be informed of the location and time for pick-up, ensuring that they are able to retrieve their child in a timely manner.
Follow-Up: Camp administrators may schedule a follow-up meeting with parents to discuss the incident further, review behavioral expectations, and determine any necessary next steps. Camp admin. or ME manager will document incidents on a spreadsheet.

All families must read through and agree to the Miller Explorers Guidelines and Miller Explorer Summer Camp Guidelines prior to enrolling in Summer Camp.