Who are the program staff who work with the girls?
Girls Inc. staff members are selected because of their special interest in helping girls develop independent life skills, self-acceptance, confidence, healthy bodies and minds – all within a safe and nurturing environment. Staff members participate in on-going training to improve these skills in working with girls and understanding age appropriate activities for each age group.
All staff members are required to undergo local and national criminal background and fingerprint checks before hiring.
All staff members are required to undergo local and national criminal background and fingerprint checks before hiring.
How many staff members are there on site?
We maintain an average staff-to-girl ratio of 1:15. However, depending on the activity and age of the girls, the ratio may range from 1:10 to 1:18.
When is Girls Inc. open?
| Office Hours | 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. | Monday through Friday |
| GirlSMART | 3:00 p.m to 6:00 p.m | Monday through Friday |
| Summer | 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. | Monday through Friday |
*Closed On: New Year’s Day, MLK Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Friday after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve.
*Subject to change with ample notification to parents.
Do the girls go on field trips?
Yes. A permission slip must be completed by the parent or legal guardian. Parents may not pick up their daughters at a field trip site unless there is an emergency. All girls return to the center via Girls Incorporated provided transportation. Field trips are a privilege at Girls Incorporated. Inappropriate behavior of a member may result in the immediate suspension of her field trip privileges.
How do I register for Girls Inc.?
All girls grade k-3 are invited to participate in our GirlSMART program if they attend the schools that we service. See school list HERE. Girls grades 6-8 are invited to participate in our Girls Inc Identity programs if they attend the schools we service. Please call our office to inquire. Registration and application must be completed before a girl may participate.
Is there a penalty fee for picking-up my daughter after closing?
Yes, Girls Incorporated schedules staff to be available only during normal operating hours. If staff are required to stay after hours a penalty fee will be assessed. The following late charges apply:
$1.00 per minute per child for every minute after the official closing time and your child(ren) will not be able to return to Girls Inc. until the fee is paid.
How is my child expected to behave?
In order for Girls Incorporated to be a community, each girl must be aware of her responsibilities and the consequences of her actions – both for herself and for others.
What are the consequences if she misbehaves?
At Girls Incorporated an emphasis is placed on fair discipline, acknowledging positive actions, and defining clear limits. An important part of growth is learning from mistakes and discussing them, as well as taking corrective action. This may result in a conference with a staff person, a “time out” or a referral from the appropriate administrative staff. Continued violations could result in suspension or expulsion from the program.
Will I be notified if my daughter is having difficulties?
The staff is accessible for scheduled conferences to discuss the needs of your daughter and we encourage parental involvement at the centers. Staff may request a parent conference in the event of a serious violation or if your child is having constant behavioral problems. If the executive staff concludes that the member’s behavior is destructive, or that the member’s presence in the center infringes on the rights of other members, membership may be terminated at the discretion of the site director.
What should she wear?
All clothing should fit properly and be appropriate for the activity in which your daughter is involved in. All caps, sweaters, coats, and other personal items should be clearly marked with your child’s name. Shoes must be worn at all times except during swimming. Closed-toe shoes are preferred and sometimes required depending on the activity plan for the day.
Can she attend if she is sick?
Please keep your daughter at home if she has a fever, strep throat, severe cough, diarrhea, rash, pink eye, lice, skin infections, or a contagious illness. With so many girls through our doors each day, the chance for illness to spread is high if it is not handled properly.
How is it handled if she gets sick while at the center?
If your daughter becomes ill at the Center, or shows signs of having a contagious illness (i.e. Chicken Pox, Mumps, Measles), you will be called to pick her up immediately. Girls Incorporated has a 24-hour sickness policy stating that if your daughter is sent home ill, she will not be permitted to return to Girls Incorporated for 24 hours, unless accompanied by a Doctor’s note. Parents are expected to provide Girls Incorporated with a “30-minute pick up” contact – an individual able to retrieve your daughter within 30 minutes in case of an emergency.
What if my child needs medication?
Girls Incorporated is a Well-Child Care Facility. Girls Incorporated staff can administer medication to any child provided that written notification is given to the Program Assistant ahead of time with instructions on the amount and time medications are to be given. Only prescribed medication(s) in the original container with your daughters name and medical information will be given and only according to the directions prescribed by the doctor. It is the responsibility of the parent to pick up any unused medication within 30 days or the medication will be discarded.
What about lice?
The Health Department of Duval County has mandated that we enforce a “no nit” policy regarding head lice. To monitor this, we check for head lice regularly. Should your daughter have nits, you will be called to pick her up immediately.
What if my daughter gets injured?
Minor injuries will be tended to at the site location by administering basic First Aid. Accident reports will be completed for our records and a copy will be provided to you. If it appears that your daughter might need medical attention, we will contact 911 and you. Updated residential, business, and emergency contact telephone numbers are essential for prompt emergency communication.
For summer programs, should my daughter bring her lunch?
Girls Inc. does provide lunch, courtesy of Kids Café®, during summer. Your child can bring a lunch (packed for room-temperature storage) whenever she is at the center or on a field trip during lunch hours.
Does Girls Incorporated provide a snack?
Yes. Our Kids Café® program provides a healthy snack to all girls every afternoon but this should not be considered in place of an actual meal.
What if my daughter has food allergies?
Girls Incorporated asks that parents list any known food allergies on the enrollment form prior to a girl starting at the Center. The Kids Café® coordinator is then notified of the listed allergies and will make a healthy alternative that meets your child’s dietary needs.
What if there is a weather emergency during hours?
When local schools close due to hazardous weather conditions, Girls Incorporated will also close. If hazardous weather conditions occur during program hours, girls will be transported to the nearest hurricane shelter – Parents will be responsible for pick-up at that shelter.
What if my daughter needs to use the phone during program hours?
The telephone at the center is for business and emergencies only. Girls will only be allowed to place and receive calls in an emergency.
Is Girls Incorporated responsible for my daughter's belongings?
Girls Inc. is not responsible for any items that are lost, misplaced or damaged. Personal belongings such as toys, games, and electronic devices (i.e. gameboys, ipods, etc) should not be brought to the center. Children are responsible for their own property. Lost and found articles are disposed of every three months. Please mark your child’s possessions with her/his name. This helps us in returning lost articles. We ask that valuable items be left at home.
How do I make sure that program staff is aware of when my daughter arrives to program?
All members are responsible for observing the sign-in/sign-out process. All girls, upon arriving at the location, are required to check-in.
How do I check my daughter out?
Parents or designated persons must sign out members at the front desk when leaving the facility. Check-out time is recorded and authorized signatures are secured for our records. Members who leave the premises without permission will be suspended. Please exit through the front of the building. This allows us to monitor traffic on the property and provide a secure environment for the girls.
Can anyone check my daughter out?
No. Only those individuals listed on the application may pick your child up. Proof of identification is required in order to release your child.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us at (904) 731-9933.