Comet Care
Comet Care is a Mason City Schools offering for families who need their kindergarten child cared for during the other half of the school day when their child is not attending school at MECC.
The lottery for Comet Care for the 2025-2026 School Year is now open! Comet Care is extended daycare for Kindergarten students before or after their kindergarten session at MECC. Although not registered with a curriculum through the State of Ohio, our Comet Care staff will work with students to cultivate Kindergarten learning with themed weeks, activities, crafts, and group activities. Our department hopes that Comet Care will further enrich Kindergarten students with activities and play relevant to their school learning. Registration for Comet Care will be done via a lottery system. You must complete this form by 11:59pm on February 28th to be entered into the lottery. The lottery drawing will take place on Mondday, March 3, 2025. Parents will receive a notice via email by 3:00 pm on the 1st of status (accepted or waitlisted). Registration fee ($75 per family), refundable deposit ($165), and supply fee ($25) will be due within 72 hours of notification to reserve your Comet Care spot.
This program will take place at the Mason Central Office and is offered to students enrolled in Kindergarten at MECC. Our service hours are from 6:30am - 6pm and will coincide with the current Extended Care program. Lunch must be brought from home for Comet Care students. Comet Care will follow the Mason City Schools academic calendar.
Questions can be directed to howardl@masonohioschools.com 513.398.5025 ext. 39230
AM Kindergarten Students
If care is needed prior to the start of the school day (9:20am) students enrolled in Comet Care will attend the extended care program at MECC, located at Mason Early Childhood Center, 4631 Hickory Woods Drive. This student activities program is open from 6:30am - 9:20am. There is not a separate charge for this service.
If before school care is not needed, students will ride the bus, or be dropped off as a car rider to MECC for their morning Kindergarten class.
After their AM Kindergarten class at MECC (12:05pm), students enrolled in Comet Care will be bused to Mason Central, 211 North East Street, for the remainder of the day. Parents/guardians will need to pick up no later than 6pm from Mason Central.
PM Kindergarten Students
Comet Care students will be dropped off by a parent/guardian to Mason Central, 211 North East Street, by 9am. The school bus will pick the students up and take them to MECC for their PM Kindergarten class that starts at 1:05pm. Comet Care students will remain at MECC until they are picked up by a parent/guardian no later than 6pm.
Tuition & Fees
Tuition is $165 per week paid in advance. Payment is due weekly on Friday for the following week. A $75 registration fee will be due within 48 hours of acceptance into the program. Payment and registration details will be provided to those that are notified of acceptance. Other fees, a $165 refundable deposit will be required before the start of school as well as a $25 supply fee. The first week’s tuition will be due on or before Friday, August 5th. Part-time tuition is not offered. However, if you are looking for a part-time option you can always look at the student activities extended care program.
Transportation
Transportation to and from MECC and Mason Central will be provided via Mason City Schools transportation department. The transportation department will determine what bus number each student will ride. Bus information will be available first of July. All staff will work with transportation to ensure all students make it safely to their destination.
Snacks & Food
Lunch must be provided from home each day. A light breakfast and an afternoon snack will be offered by the program. We do follow the guidelines set forth by the MCS food services department. If your child has food allergies or sensitivities, you are welcome to send in your own breakfast/snack.