US Kids Child Development Center
Operating Status Policy
Generally, US Kids follows the Federal government’s operating status for the Washington, D.C. metro
area, as determined by the Office of Personnel Management. See www.opm.gov/status
In general, on any day the Federal government is open, the Center will be open for its regular hours,
which are Monday - Friday, 7:00 am - 7:00 pm. If the Federal government is open but operating under a
modified schedule, the Center's operating hours will be as set out below.
You can always check the Center’s operating status by calling the Center at (202) 233-4623. If the Center
will not be open at its regular time, there will be an updated message by 6:00 am that day, or as early as
possible based on when OPM issues an announcement. In the event of an early closure announcement,
the Center will notify parents of the early closing time by email.
OPM Status
OPEN
Effect on Center’s Operating Status
Center follows regular operating hours,
Monday-Friday, 7:00 am - 7:00 pm, unless
Center specific conditions (e.g., power outage
or inability to be in required staffing ratio)
prevent it.
OPEN WITH OPTION FOR UNSCHEDULED LEAVE OR
The Center will open at 8:00 am and close at
UNSCHEDULED TELEWORK.
6:00 pm. We also recommend calling the
center to confirm the opening time.
OPEN WITH A XX HOUR DELAYED ARRIVAL WITH
OPTION FOR UNSCHEDULED LEAVE OR
UNSCHEDULED TELEWORK
OPEN WITH A XX HOUR EARLY DEPARTURE
MEASURED FROM AN EMPLOYEE’S NORMAL
DEPARTURE TIME
Center’s opening is delayed by the same delay
as the Federal government. For example, a 1hour delay means an 8:00 am opening and a 2hour delay means a 9:00 am opening. The
Center will close at its regular time unless
otherwise provided.
Center’s closure is advanced by the same time
as the Federal government. For example, a 1hour early departure means the Center closes
at 6:00 pm and 2-hour early departure means
a 5:00 pm closure.
EARLY CLOSURE AT A SPECIFIC POINT IN TIME (not
on OPM’s website but has happened in the past)
The Center closes one hour after the Federal
government. For example, if the Federal
government states that there will be 2 pm
closure, the Center will close at 3 pm.
CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC
The Center is closed.
On days when the Center must close early it is important to pick up your child(ren) by the early closing
time to help us ensure the safety of all Center employees.
Notification If Your Child Will Be Absent
Regardless of the Center’s operating status, if you choose not to send your child(ren) to the Center,
please contact the Center as soon as possible so that adjustments in staffing may be made.
The Director, in consultation with the Board, has the Final Authority on the Center’s Operating Status
Whether or not the Center can safely operate is specific to conditions at the Center and the ability to
have sufficient staff at work. Thus, at all times, the Director, in consultation with the Board, retains the
right to change the opening or closing time based on an assessment of conditions. In addition, in the
case of an emergency (i.e., earthquake) the Center may close early and parents will be notified by
email regarding when to pick up their child(ren). If there is any question as to the Center’s Operating
Status, staff and families should check the Center’s status by calling 202-233-4623. There will be an
updated message by 6:00 am on a day the operating status is changed, or as early as practical based on
when OPM issues an announcement.
Inclement Weather and Emergencies
If weather conditions prevent a parent or legal guardian from reaching the facility to recover a child, the
center staff will care for the child (maintaining proper child: staff ratios) until such time as the parent,
legal guardian, or emergency contact person can safely claim the child. The disaster supplies will be used
as needed.
When a child is not picked up due to emergency situations including, but not limited to inclement
weather or natural disasters, the center staff will begin calling the child’s emergency contacts. Any
arrangements to transport the child to the police or Child Protective Services care site will be
coordinated with local licensing.
Late Pick-Up Charges
If you do not leave with your child from the Center by closing time, you will incur late charges. A fee of
$1.00 per minute will be charged to your tuition account if you and your child remain in the center after
the closing time. Five minutes after the closing time, the charge will be $5.00 per minute. These fees are
payable upon the next tuition payment. At the time of departure, you will be required to fill out a “Late
Pick-Up Form.” Refusal to pay late fees and/or continued late arrival on early closing days may result in
withdrawal of the child from the center. In case of an emergency that will cause you to be late, please
notify the Center as soon as possible. However, even in the event of an emergency, you may still be
required to pay late fees.