Fort Discovery

Fort Discovery aims to provide working families with the peace of mind that their child is in a safe, supportive, and enriching environment. We offer activities that address the social, emotional, and physical development of children, including:

• Homework help and tutoring
• Service-learning projects
• Group games and recreational sports
• Creative arts and special interest activities
• Computer use and enrichment opportunities

Our centers are open Monday through Friday:

Before school: 6:00 a.m. to the start of the school day

After school: Dismissal until 6:00 p.m.

We remain open on early dismissal days and most scheduled non-school days (e.g., parent-teacher conferences, staff development days, and snow days).

To enroll your child in Fort Discovery:

1. Contact the Director of Child Care Services at (816) 650-7651
    
2. Or complete the online enrollment form on our Fort Discovery webpage at www.fortosage.net under Programs/Groups
    

Enrollment is considered complete once:

●     You’ve received a confirmation email of your child’s acceptance

●     The enrollment fee has been paid

●     You’ve been given a start date by your Site Coordinator
 

Please notify your child’s teacher and the building secretary that your child will attend Fort Discovery. This ensures your child is released appropriately at the end of the school day.

If enrolling before the school year begins, select “car rider” on the transportation plan. Once enrollment and payment are confirmed, we will update the transportation record.

2026–2027 Enrollment Timeline

●     Opens: Wednesday, July 8, 2026
 

●     Temporarily Paused: Friday, August 21, 2026
 

●     Resumes: Wednesday, September 2, 2026

 Enrollment will remain open throughout the year, pending availability.

Note: Summer School rates match the school-year tuition. Summer Camp fees will be shared during Open Enrollment.

• The non-refundable enrollment fee is due at registration.
• Tuition must be paid weekly—checks, money orders, or online payments via the parent portal are accepted (no cash).
• Automatic weekly payments are processed every Monday.
• Make checks payable to “Fort Discovery” and include your child’s name in the memo line.
• Full-time families are charged weekly regardless of attendance unless using a vacation week.
• Part-time families pay a minimum of one day's fee per week.Weekly tuition is prorated only if the center is closed for 2+ days in a given week.

Late Payments & Delinquency

• Payments are due on Tuesdays of each week.
• A $5 late fee is added if payment is not received by Tuesday.
• Accounts 2 weeks overdue must be paid or have an approved payment plan with the Site Coordinator.
• Unresolved accounts will result in service termination and referral to Central Office for collections.
   

Returned Checks

• First incident: immediate replacement with a money order.
• Second incident: future payments must be made by money order only.
   

Vacation Policy

Each child receives 2 weeks of vacation (January–December) with no charge if a one-week notice is given. Vacation must be taken in full-week increments.

Families interested in using state child care assistance through the Department of Social Services (DSS) must apply directly and work closely with a caseworker to understand their eligibility and required contributions.

Please note:

• Parents are responsible for any amount not covered by DSS, including the difference between tuition and the DSS maximum reimbursement, plus any sliding fee scale.
• Families are responsible for knowing when their DSS coverage ends and for contacting DSS to renew if needed.
• Until we receive your DSS award letter, full weekly tuition is required.

To receive DSS reimbursement, the following guidelines must be followed:

1. Your child must be checked in/out daily using their QR code.
2. To claim a Full Day: Minimum attendance of 5 hours.
3. To claim a Half Day: Minimum attendance of 3 hours.
4. To claim a Part Day: Minimum attendance of 30 minutes.
5. Days with under 30 minutes of attendance cannot be billed to DSS.
6. DSS covers up to 5 absences/holidays per month.
7. DSS does not cover late pick-up fees.
8. Weekly sliding fee payments must be kept current.

DVN’s for each location

• Blue Hills 001114823
• Buckner 001114896
• Cler Mont 000271558
• Elm Grove 000181888
• Indian Trails 002188145

Each day, a parent, guardian, or authorized adult must scan their individual QR code to check in or out their child. This policy ensures safety and accurate attendance records.

Important Reminders:

●     Students must check in with staff within 5 minutes of school dismissal.
●     If a child needs to stay after school (e.g., with a teacher), they must first check in with Fort Discovery staff.
●     Only individuals listed as authorized contacts will be permitted to pick up your child and must show a photo ID.
●     If you have a custody arrangement, a copy of the court order must be on file with Fort Discovery.
Children will not be released to anyone who appears impaired due to drugs or alcohol.

After enrollment, all families must sign a Parent Door Access Agreement, outlining expectations for entering/exiting the facility. Failure to comply may result in the termination of childcare services.

Fort Discovery is open from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.We understand life happens; please give us a courtesy call if you will be picking up later than 6:00 pm.

●     Arriving before 6:00 a.m. or staying after 6:00 p.m. will incur a $1.00 per minute per child fee.
●     We use the center's clock for timekeeping.
If your child is not picked up by 6:00 p.m.:

●     Staff will call all parents and emergency contact numbers.
●     If no one can be reached, Family Services or the local police department will be contacted.
Repeated late pick-ups may result in termination from the program.

When school is canceled due to weather:

●     Fort Discovery will have a delayed opening time at 6:30 a.m. at our Indian Trails site.
●     If school is canceled after Fort Discovery has already opened, parents are responsible for transporting their child to the Indian Trails site.
Please Note:

●     You will be informed whether meals will be served or need to be brought from home.
●     Fort Discovery may close entirely in cases of severe weather.
Sign up for text alerts on the school website for Fort Discovery updates.

On days when school is not in session:

●     All Fort Discovery sites will combine at Indian Trails.
●     Families must register in advance for each no-school day via the parent portal. Enrollment for no-school days will open after the start of the school year.
●     Drop-off cutoff is 9:00 a.m., unless you’ve made arrangements with the Director.
Note: Unexpected snow days do not require registration.

Fort Discovery provides full-day care during July and August.

●     Summer Camp requires separate enrollment.
A dedicated Summer Camp Handbook will be provided during Open Enrollment near the end of the school year.

Breakfast is not served during Fort Discovery hours on regular school days, but students may bring their own and eat on-site before school.
 

A nutritious snack (hot meal) is provided to all students in the afternoon.

To maintain a healthy environment, Fort Discovery follows universal health precautions:

Children will not be admitted if they:

●     Have a fever of 100°F or higher
●     Are vomiting or having diarrhea

Return Policy:
 Children must be symptom-free (without medication) for 24 hours before returning.

Injuries:

●     Parents will be notified of any injury.
●     In case of a serious injury, your child will be transported to the nearest hospital, and you will be contacted immediately.
●     Parents are responsible for any medical expenses.
The Fort Osage School District does not provide accident insurance.

If your child needs medication during Fort Discovery hours, you must complete a Medication Authorization Form and provide the medication directly to staff. Please note that we do not have access to the school nurse’s office before or after school hours.

Medication Guidelines:

1. Medications must be in the original container labeled with your child’s name, dosage instructions, and (if prescribed) the physician’s name.
2. Over-the-counter medication requires a signed authorization form and must be labeled with your child’s name.
3. Parents must hand the medication directly to a staff member. Medication may not be sent in your child’s backpack.
4. A separate medication form is required for each No School Day the medication is needed.
5. There is no registered nurse on staff at Fort Discovery.
6. Fort Discovery staff cannot transport medication to and from the Nurses’ office.

IMPORTANT: No medication will be administered unless these steps are followed.

Parents/guardians are responsible for transporting their child to and from their assigned Fort Discovery site each day.

During school hours, transportation to/from Fort Discovery and the student’s school building is coordinated through the Fort Osage Transportation Department.

If your transportation plans change:

Notify your Site Coordinator, your child’s classroom teacher, and the building secretary as soon as possible.

To support a focused and distraction-free environment:

●     Children must keep all personal items in a backpack or bag and store it in the designated space.
●     No toys, cell phones, or electronics should be brought from home.
●     Fort Discovery is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged personal items.

Please clearly label all belongings, including jackets, backpacks, and lunchboxes.

We value strong partnerships with families and encourage ongoing communication and involvement.

●     Parents are welcome to visit and participate in activities once they have completed the district volunteer application and background check.
 

●     If you have a special hobby, talent, or interest to share with the group, we’d love to include it in our programming!
 

We welcome feedback, suggestions, and ideas—please don’t hesitate to reach out to your Site Coordinator.

Students in 5th and 6th grade may attend Fort Discovery for both before and after school care at their “home” elementary school. Care is also available on No School Days.

●     Students are transported between Fort Discovery and Fire Prairie Upper Elementary by the Fort Osage Transportation Department.
●     Students may also attend Fort Discovery during the Summer School session.
●     Once a child completes 6th grade or reaches age 13, they are no longer eligible for Fort Discovery.
Your Site Coordinator will inform you of your child’s morning arrival time to ensure timely transportation to Fire Prairie.

At Fort Discovery, every child has the right to feel safe, valued, and respected. We are committed to fostering a positive environment where all children can thrive.

Children are expected to:

1. Use respectful language and behavior—no profanity, harassment, or gestures.
    
2. Treat others with kindness—no bullying, threats, or physical harm.
    
3. Respect property—no stealing, vandalism, or destruction of school or personal belongings.
    

Disciplinary actions may include:

●     Redirection: Helping the child choose a more appropriate activity.
●     Safe Spot: A space for the child to regroup and reflect.
●     Conflict Mediation: Staff-guided conversations to resolve conflicts using Conscious Discipline strategies.
●     Parent Notification: You’ll be informed of behavioral incidents and resolution steps.

In more serious cases, disciplinary steps may include:

Fort Discovery reserves the right to suspend or remove a student from the program immediately if behavior is severe, poses safety concerns, or violates school district policy.

●       Monday, August 10th- Monday, August 24th

●       Labor Day- Monday- September 7, 2026

●       Thanksgiving Break- Thursday & Friday November, 26  & 27 2026

●       Winter Break -Monday, December 21, 2026, through Friday, January 1, 2027

●       Martin Luther King Jr Day, Monday, January 18, 2027

●       Memorial Day- Monday, May 31, 2027

●       Juneteenth- Friday, June 18, 2027

**Buckner, Cler-Mont, & Indian Trails- 12:10pm

**Blue Hills & Elm Grove- 12:45 pm

●       Friday, December 18, 2026

●       Friday, May 27, 2027 **Last Day of School

**Please note - all day Fort Discovery days are held at our INDIAN TRAILS LOCATION!

●       Monday, October 19, 2026

●       Friday, October 30, 2026

●       Monday, November 2, 2026

●       Tuesday, November 3, 2026

●       Wednesday, November 25, 2026

●       Monday, January 4, 2027

●       Friday, February 12, 2027

●       Monday, February 15, 2027

●       Tuesday, February 16, 2027

●       Spring Break- Monday, March 22, 2027-Friday, March 26, 2027

●       Monday, April 12, 2027