about us

• Philosophy & Mission
• History
• Vision
• Board Members
• Awards & Recognition
• Girls Bill of Rights
• Facts
• FAQs
• Executive Director

What about 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 are required to undergo criminal background and fingerprint checks before hiring. Girls Inc. tries to maintain a 1 staff member to 15 girl ratio.

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 1:25.
When is Girls Inc. open?

• After School 2:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday
• Holiday and Summer 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday
• Office hours 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday
• Closed* On: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Friday, Christmas Day and the 4th of July. - See Calendar for specific dates
• Updated Girls Incorporated calendars are available at the front desk.
• *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. All girls return to the center via Girls Incorporated 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 ages six through fifteen are invited to join Girls Incorporated. Membership application forms must be completed and initial registration and program fees paid, before a girl may attend.

Upon registering, each girl will be placed in one of the following age appropriate groups:

• 6 - 7 year olds
• 8 - 9 year olds
• 10 - 11 year olds
• 12 - 15 year olds

Girls are also given the opportunity to sign up for special programs that are available.

How much does it cost to attend Girls Inc.?

• Registration $25 (non-refundable)

After-school program

• $115 per month

Summer program

• $90 per week
• $180 per 2-week session

We have financial assistance plans so that no girl is turned away due to inability to pay. We also offer a sibling discount.

What do fees include?

Fees include the afternoon snack program, transportation from area schools and the fees for some local field trips.

When are payments due?

During the school year payments are due on the 15th of each preceding month.

During the summer payments are due one week before the session starts (previous Monday).

Are any scholarships available?

Girls Incorporated provides full and/or partial scholarships for families who qualify for financial assistance. We also provide a sibling discount. Please contact the office on (941) 366-6646 for more information.

What if there is a short-term financial hardship?

Payment arrangements will always be considered. We ask only that you make the effort to communicate with us and to keep our program staff informed of your situation.

What if I'm late with a payment of program fees?

There is a $1.00 per day late charge for all payments made after the due date.

During the school year:

• If payment is late and late fees are not made by the first of the month, we will conclude that you no longer need our program services and your daughter will not be enrolled in our program or require Girls Incorporated transportation services.

During the summer:

• If payment is late and late fees are not made by the beginning of the following session, we will conclude that you no longer need our program services, and your daughter will not be enrolled in the next session.

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:

• 1-15 minutes $5.00
• 16-30 minutes $10.00
• 31-45 minutes $20.00
• 46-60 minutes $30.00

Late fees MUST be paid before the start of the next month or session. If late fees are not paid at that time, your daughter(s) will not be eligible to attend.

Can my daughter bring a friend who is not a member?

Yes. Girls Incorporated is always happy to have visitors at our center. A parent or legal guardian must complete a registration and permission form in advance of a visit. Visitor fees are $20.00 per day during school holidays and summer, and $10.00 per day during the school year.

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. For further information please review Girls Inc. Standards of Conduct.

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 a suspension 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 center. 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 Director of Program Operations.

What should she wear?

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. Bathing suits are to be worn in the pool area only. Swimsuits may not be worn under clothes at any time, due to possible infection. Girls who do not bring underclothes will not be allowed to participate in the swim program.

Can she attend if she is sick?

Please keep your daughter at home if she is ill. 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 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. Please call if your child has Chicken Pox, Pink Eye, Impetigo or Lice.

What if my child needs medication?

Girls Incorporated is a Well-Child Care Facility. A parent, legal guardian or Doctor must administer any medication. Girls Incorporated staff cannot administer medication to any child, and will not be held liable for any “missed” medication. Parents are welcome to designate an adult to come by the Center and administer medication at the appropriate time, provided that written notification is given to the Program Assistant ahead of time.

What about lice?

The Health Department of Sarasota County and the Program Committee of the Board of Directors of Girls Incorporated of Sarasota County have 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 at the Center?

Minor injuries will be tended to at the Center by administering basic First Aid. Accident reports will be completed for our records. 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 full days of program, should my daughter bring her lunch?

On full days, Girls Inc provides lunches to girls, unless otherwise noted for a special field trip. Girls attending for a full program day should bring a snack and drink (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 daughter's dietary needs.

What if there is a weather emergency during center hours?

When the County Civil Defense Office closes local schools 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 - Tuttle Elementary School. Parents will be responsible for pick-up at Tuttle Elementary.

What if my daughter needs to use the phone while at the center?

The telephone at the center is for business and emergencies only. Girls will only be allowed to place and receive calls in an emergency. Girls may not use cell phones at the center for any reason. All calls must be placed through the office.

Is Girls Incorporated responsible for my daugther's belongings?

Girls are responsible for their own property. Lost and found articles are stored in the backpack area and are recycled or disposed of on a weekly basis. Please mark your daughter's possessions with her name. This helps us in returning lost articles. We ask that valuable items be left at home.

Is transportation available from area schools to the center?

Girls Inc of Sarasota County has partnered with the local school district to provide transportation to our center from over 20 schools! We also use Girls Inc vans to transport girls on field trips. In order for a member to ride Girls Incorporated vehicles, parents must complete transportation permission forms and pay program fees in a timely manner. Seating is limited. Please read Guidelines for transportation behavior.

Where should I park when visiting the center?

The visitor and parent parking are located on the south side of the building. Parking in the front of the building is limited to 10 minutes. We encourage all parents to follow the flow of traffic and enter the building only through the front doors for purposes of safety and security.

How do I make sure that program staff is aware of when my daughter arrives at the center?

All members are responsible for observing the sign-in/sign-out process. All girls upon arriving at the Center are required to check-in at the front desk.

Can I drop my daughter off without entering the center?

We prefer parents to escort their daughter in to the Center to ensure she enters the building and checks in as required. However, if you choose to drop off your daughter, please wait and watch for her to enter the facility before leaving. Girls Incorporated is not liable for girls who are dropped off and do not 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. Membership cards and photo identification MUST be presented at this time. Check-out time is recorded and authorized signatures are secured for our records. A member may sign herself out if a “Member Self Sign-Out” permission form is completed by parent or legal guardian. 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. A membership card and photo id is required in order to release a child. An identification check will be made at the front office for those unable to produce cards.

Where are they now?