Explorers Fees

Minnetonka Explorers does not offer financial assistance. However, the county in which you live offers ongoing financial assistance to those who qualify. Please contact the Explorers office at 952-401-6832 for more information.

If your child will not be attending the program because of a scheduled appointment, or other planned absence, there will not be a credit for absence.

If your child is ill, there will not be a credit for absence. If your child will be absent from the program for an extended period of time due to illness; please notify Explorers Billing and Enrollment as soon as possible (952-401-6838) to request an adjustment to your monthly Explorers invoicing. Explorers continues to staff all sites. Therefore, if your child is absent from the program due to illness, we require payment as follows:

• 1 through 4 consecutive days missed from Explorers – parents/guardians will be financially responsible for 100% of the daily fees
• If 5 or more consecutive days are missed from Explorers - Day 5 and beyond parents will be financially responsible for 50% of the daily fees.

Illness or emergency

If your child becomes ill while at Explorers, you will be contacted and asked to pick them up within one hour. We will try to provide your child with a quiet area to rest until you arrive. School district policy requires that children have no fever, vomiting or diarrhea for 24 hours before returning. Please contact us if your child is diagnosed with a communicable disease so we can alert all families that their child may have been exposed.

In the event of an emergency, parents will be notified as soon as possible. If the parents cannot be reached, we will call the person you have indicated for us to call. If necessary, children will be transported to Methodist Hospital by a local emergency unit for treatment. The child will be transported at the parents’ expense. Children who receive minor injuries will be given first-aid and parents will be notified. All staff are trained in emergency first-aid procedures.

Vacations and other plans

There is no credit for missing regularly scheduled days of Explorers.

Fees are charged based on the days and program components you registered for, not on attendance. You will not receive credit for late arrival or early pick-up, nor when children leave Explorers to participate in other activities.

An email will be sent mid-month indicating that invoices are ready to be viewed online. The monthly fees will be charged to the credit card or checking/savings account we have on file.

A $15 fee will be added to your account if your payment method is declined for any reason. Please notify Billing and Enrollment or update your account online if there are any changes to your account. Past due accounts will be sent to collections and may incur legal fees.

Year-end payment summaries can be accessed online. Our Federal Tax Identification number is 41-6001402. This number is the number you need to complete your childcare expense forms.

If you are enrolled with your employer in a Flex Benefit Plan, forms will be signed only after payment has been received. Please contact Billing and Enrollment if you have any questions.

Explorers does not offer scholarships. However, financial assistance may be available for those who qualify through the county in which you live. Please contact the Explorers office at 952-401-6832 for more information.

Families can make a payment at any time to their Explorers Account. Please follow the instructions below:

• Log in to your Arux account at https://minnetonkaschools.arux.app/. Please note: Arux works best when using the Google Chrome browser.
• Select Explore All Programs.
• Select View Your Dashboard.
• Under Your Accounts, select your current Explorers Child Care account.
• Under Latest Invoice, select Pay.

Explorers families can go into their Arux account at any time and update their auto payments on file.

1. Log into your Arux Account at https://minnetonkaschools.arux.app/. Please note: Arux works best when using the Google Chrome browser.
2. At the upper right corner, select Explore All Programs.
3. Select View Your Dashboard on the upper right side.
4. Under Your Accounts, select your current Explorers Childcare account.
5. On your account page, scroll down to Auto Payments.
6. Select Choose a Different Payment Method.
7. Select Add Saved Payment Method, enter your information, and select Save the Payment Method.
8. Select the new saved payment method from the left side and select Use Selected Payment Method.

Explorers families can log into their Arux account at any time and download previous invoices. If you need signatures for reimbursement plans, please contact the Explorers office at 952-401-6832.

How to view and download invoices:

1. Log into to your Arux account at https://minnetonkaschools.arux.app/. Please Note: Arux works best when using the Google Chrome browser.
2. Explore All Programs.
3. Select View Your Dashboard in the upper right corner.
4. Under Your Accounts, select your current Explorers Childcare account.
5. Under Account Management, select View under Latest Invoice. From there, you are able to view previous invoices and print them. You will see the Tax ID on downloaded invoices.

Explorers families can log into their Arux account at any time and download year-end statements.

Procedure to view/print Year End Payment Summary:

1. Log in to your Arux account at https://minnetonkaschools.arux.app/
2. Select Explore All Programs
3. Select View Your Dashboard
4. Under Your Accounts, select your current Explorers Childcare account
5. Under Account Management, select Download Tax Information
6. Download, view and/or print your year-end statement. The Federal Tax ID Number will be on your downloaded year-end statement.

Requests for enrollment will be approved on a space available basis and enrollment in the program is not guaranteed. There is a $50 non-refundable registration fee due at the time of registration. 

Minnetonka Community Education uses Arux for registering for Community Education classes, including Summer Explorers. Arux allows you to manage your Explorers schedule online, pay with your credit/debit card or checking/savings account, view and print invoices, print tax and dependent care receipts throughout the year and sign up for text message notifications.

Using the steps below, you will create an account for yourself and a profile for all of your family members. Then you can register for Explorers, Summer Explorers or Junior Explorers. This process should take approximately 25 minutes to complete.

First create an account for yourself and then create a profile for your child(ren). Click this link: https://minnetonkaschools.arux.app/ and use the steps below.

Eleyo Login and Set-up

1. Access the site by going to: https://minnetonkaschools.arux.app/. NOTE: Arux works best when using the Google Chrome browser.
2. Select in the upper, right corner of the screen. If you already have an Eleyo Account, enter your email and password to log in and skip to Register for Explorers and/or Junior Explorers below. If you do not have an account, you will need to create one by selecting Sign Up.
3. Complete the Register a New Account Form and select Create Account. Please note: The account should be created in the parent’s name.
4. Next, log in using your email address and password. NOTE: An email will be sent from Eleyo with a link to verify your account.
5. Once logged in, select Manage Relationships on the dashboard to add a family member.
6. Select Add Family Member/Relationship to add family members. If you have an elementary-aged child, select your child’s grade from the drop down menu then select the current (or upcoming school year depending on when you are registering) from the School Year drop down to indicate your child’s grade. If your child is preschool aged, you will select Kindergarten and the year they will start Kindergarten.
7. Select Create Person to complete the profile. Add all family members. After you have finished setting up your account and created a Profile for your child, you have completed the Account set-up process and are ready to register your child(ren) in the Eleyo system.

Explorers Registration

1. From your dashboard, select Explore All Programs in the right hand corner, then choose Explorers Childcare or Summer Explorers and select Registration.
2. Select your child from the list on the left. After verifying your child’s information, select Looks Good, Start Registering.
3. Add at least 3 Emergency contacts for your child’s account and select Continue.
4. Choose the location your child will attend Explorers and select Continue.
5. Please read and agree to the Terms and Conditions and select Continue.
6. Select your child’s start date and what days of the week they will be attending and select Continue.
7. Next, answer all questions and select Complete Questions and Continue at the bottom of the page.
8. Add saved Payment Method and enter your payment information. Please note: You will not be charged the registration fee until your contract is approved, usually in 2-3 days. Then, select Complete Registration.
9. You will be led to a confirmation page. You may also register another child for Explorers from this page.
10. You will receive an email confirming your schedule and notifying you that your contract is waiting for review. Once our staff has approved the schedule, you will receive another email with a confirmation.

Your child's name will be placed on a waitlist and families will be notified about a week ahead of the waitlisted date to let them know if a space opened up.

We recommend registering for all days you think you might need so that you you are guaranteed the spot.

Changes will be approved on a space available basis and are subject to our standard change fee of $10 per request. Please note that your registration fee is non-refundable should you choose to remove your summer contract. 

Please call the Explorers Enrollment and Billing Department at 952-401-6832 for more information.

Additional days will be accepted on a space available basis. If the day is full, your child will be put on a waiting list and you will be notified the week before the requested date.

To request the additional day online, follow the steps below:

• Log on to https://minnetonkaschools.arux.app/
• Click on “Your Account” to manage your child’s Explorer’s account
• Click on “Current and Upcoming Contracts” to request a contract change. 

Please call Billing and Enrollment at 952-401-6832 with questions.

Changes will be approved on a space available basis and are subject to our standard change fee of $10 per request. Please note that your registration fee is non-refundable should you choose to remove your summer contract. 

Please note: Arux refers to a student’s schedule as their “Student Contract.” Make sure to do this for each child.

• Log on to https://minnetonkaschools.arux.app/. Please note: Arux works best when using the Google Chrome browser.
• Select Explore All Programs.
• Select View Your Dashboard.
• Under Your Accounts, select your Explorers Childcare account.
• Under Current and Upcoming Contracts, select your current contract.
• Select Change Schedule.
• Select your new schedule and select Submit Contract Schedule Changes.

• 33 Months-Age 4: Minnetonka Community Ed Center
• Incoming RSK and Kindergarteners: Minnetonka Community Ed Center
• Incoming 1st-5th Graders: Excelsior Elementary or Scenic Heights Elementary

Summer Explorers for children ages 4 through grade 5 is open from 7 a.m.-6 p.m. The following is a typical day of Summer Explorers. Families will be emailed a monthly newsletter and calendar with all the specific information for their child’s grade level.

• Explorers opens at 7 a.m.
• Breakfast snack is served mid-morning (7:30-8:30 a.m. depending on grade level)
• Morning rotations including a planned activity, gym time, outside time and free play
• Lunches are between 11:15-12:45 p.m. based on grade level
• Afternoon rotations including a planned activity, gym time, outside time and free play
• Afternoon snack is served mid-afternoon (2:30-3:30 p.m. depending on grade level)
• Explorers closes at 6 p.m.

An Explorers t-shirt, which is required on field trips, can be purchased for $10. If your child forgets his or her t-shirt on a field trip day, he or she will be given a new one and a $10 charge will appear on your next invoice. T-shirts should be labeled with the child’s name. If your child will not be enrolled on activity days or water days they will not need a shirt. Explorers shirts from previous years can also be used.

Morning and afternoon snacks are provided for your child. Please be mindful of the drop-off time and pick-up time so your child can participate in the designated snack times.

A breakfast and afternoon snack menu will be provided on a monthly basis. Both breakfast and afternoon snacks include the option for juice, milk, or water.

Breakfast snack is typically served between 8-9 a.m. It varies from day to day, but there is always a cereal and fruit option. The second option could include a muffin, yogurt, bagel, and breakfast bar.

Afternoon snack also offers two options plus a fresh fruit option. The snack options vary daily, but could include animal crackers, Sun Chips, popcorn, fresh fruit boats, chips and salsa, and whole grain bars.

Please pack a bag lunch for your child each day. Milk is available free of charge during snack. For a one-time $5 milk fee, your child can also drink milk during lunch.

If your child has a food allergy, parents must bring your child’s Allergy Action Plan, a Medical Release form and their medications to the site on their first day. Explorers has a peanut/tree nut free table your child can sit at during meals and snacks. Hands are washed before and after each meal and snack.

Signing In and Out

• For your child’s safety, we require that you or an authorized adult sign your child in at drop off and out at pick up of the program daily.
• If you arrive when the group is away from the sign-in area, you are responsible for escorting your child to join the group.
• Sign your child in upon arrival and be sure that a staff person is aware of your child’s arrival before you leave the site.
• Release of Children – Your child will be released only to people listed as Alternative Pick-Ups. Staff are required to ask for identification from anyone unfamiliar attempting to pick up a child. If an unauthorized person attempts to pick up your child, you will be contacted. If you can’t be reached, your child will be held until you or your emergency contact person arrives. Please notify the Explorers office in writing if you want to authorize additional adults to pick up your child.
• We will release a child to either parent unless we have a written restraining order and/or a court order document which clearly states a parent is not to have contact with a child.

Explorers closes at 6 p.m. All children must be picked up no later than 6 p.m. according to the time on the iPad at the sign out table. If an emergency delays you and you are going to be late picking up your child, make plans for someone you have designated as an authorized pick-up person to pick up your child on time, and call the program staff immediately.

• For K-5 families that select a 4:30 p.m. pick up time during the summer, the same policies apply if their child us picked up after 4:30 p.m.

In the event that your child is still at the program after closing and we have not heard from you, we will take the following steps (in order):

1. Attempt to reach you on your home, work or cell phone number.
2. Call the people you listed as authorized to pick up your child.
3. If you are more than 30 minutes late, and there has been no communication, the police will be contacted for assistance.

A late fee of $10 is charged for each five minutes (or portion thereof) that parents are late picking up a child. Repeat instances may result in suspended childcare services.

From your computer:

1.Login to your Arux account at https://minnetonkaschools.arux.app/
2.Explore All Programs
3.Select Explorers Childcare
4.Select Account Management
5.Select Managed Authorized Pickups
6.Select Add Authorized Pickup
7.Save Authorized Pickup to save their information
8.To remove an Authorized Pickup, select the red button on the right side of their information.