Wait List Form — click underlined link
Wait List/Slots/Programs FAQ’s (please read thoroughly before completing):
Entry points:
Toddler classroom– 15 months (we prioritize older toddlers; children who will be 21 months by 9/1 will spend one year in the toddler classroom, which is our enrollment goal)
Preschool program (we have 4 classrooms) -2 years 9 months (but may be anywhere from 2.9 to 4 years 11 months)
Children First Kindergarten – must be 5 yrs old by 9/1 to attend
School-Age program – must be within 2 weeks of attending kindergarten and children are no longer eligible when attending 7th grade
**We do not offer infant care.
PLEASE READ THOROUGHLY BEFORE COMPLETING INTAKE:
1.) Because we tend to be 100% full at all times, we have to wait for someone to give up their slot in order to offer one to a new family. We have strict ratios that we may not exceed.
2.) Annual contracts run from 9/1 to 8/31. As a result, we know that slots will open by 9/1. Some families may end before 8/31, and open slots will be offered based on info collected at time of enrollment.
3.) We do not offer tours until we know a slot will be opening. We are typically offering tours and slots 6-8 months ahead of actual slot openings.
4.) Our toddler and kindergarten programs are full-time only. Our 4 preschool classrooms have a majority of full-time slots. While we do have limited part-time slots in our preschool and school-age programs, our responsibility is to ensure that there are no enrollment “holes.” Therefore, preschool (and, to some extent our school-age programs) will work to “match” part-time requests to create a full slot (i.e., a M/W/F matched with a T/Th or a M/W with a T/Th/F, for example).
5.) We are a year-round program for toddlers and preschoolers. There is no formal option for taking a summer off and retaining your slot. Families that wish to reduce over the summer may inform the main office when that information is being collected, and those requests will be considered as the summer plan gets constructed. THERE IS NO GUARANTEE OF REDUCTION.
6.) If your child does not get a slot in a younger program, they will automatically be moved up to the Wait List for the next program for the following year unless you request to be removed from the Wait List (see separate link on website).
7.) You should receive an email generated by the Google form, confirming that you are on the Wait List.
8.) You will remain on the Wait List until you indicate otherwise (either formally through the removal link or by ceasing contact with us).
FAQ’s:
1.) Where am I on the list and how long is it?
Great question! Not an easy answer! To start with, Children First prioritizes siblings and children who are currently attending for all programs. We first ask current families if they want to change their slot request for the upcoming enrollment year (Sept. to Aug.) and then place siblings in available *matching* openings. Finally, we look at any open slots in each classroom and search for matching requests by age. A scenario might by that your child is 6th on the “born in 202X year” looking for a full-time slot. The slot opening is full-time. The previous 5 people in that same age-bracket are all looking for part-time spots. That scenario means that your child is 1st for *that slot* even though they are 6th for that age (and may be 30th on the all-school Wait List).
Meaning – it’s complicated and changes as people change their requests, siblings get on the Wait Lists, etc.
2.) When will I hear from you?
As soon as your child is next on the Wait List for a slot that will open up in their age-appropriate classroom (that opening will likely be 6-8 months away). We typically start this process in mid-winter.
3.) Are we able to take a tour once called from the Wait List or before?
We do not offer tours until your child’s name gets up to the top of the Wait List and we have a matching opening forecasted (that opening will likely be 6-8 months away).
4.) Should my child come on the tour?
For toddlers and young preschoolers, it can often be distracting for parents to have to watch their child and listen to the information being shared. The tour is a decision-making opportunity for the parent/guardian. For families interested in our private kindergarten, it is important for us to meet the child and ensure that we are an appropriate placement for their individual needs.
NOTE: All children who get slots are offered a visit just prior to their start date that allows them to meet their teachers and see their classroom before their first day.
5.) Will you accommodate rotating schedules?
Unfortunately, we cannot accommodate rotating schedules. You would need to “own” all of the days that you might use.
6.) Is it required for my child to be potty-trained to attend the toddler/preschool programs?
No – being potty-trained is not required.
7.) Do children start on any specific date?
While we technically have rolling admissions, we do have a typical enrollment window which is around mid-August to the first week of September. We sometimes have one or two earlier summer spots open up. We also try to stagger starts so that there are not too many students starting in any classroom or across the center on any given day.
8.) What are the hours of the center?
Our Toddler program is open 7 AM to 5:00 PM.
Our Preschool program is open 7 AM to 5:30 PM.
Our School-Age program is open 6:30 AM-5:30 PM.
Our CF Kindergarten-only program runs from 8 AM to 2:50 PM. This group can also add on Before School care and/or After School care to extend the day as early as 6:30 AM (Before School) and as late as 5:30 PM (After School).
9.) What are the drop off and pickup windows?
Drop-offs should be completed by 8:45 (unless other arrangements have been made). Children may not be dropped off before their program opens (see above).
Pick-ups typically happen between 2:30 and 5:30 (unless other arrangements have been made). Children must be picked up before their program closes (see above). Late fees will be assessed for pick-ups after a program closes.
10.) How many hours per day could a child be there?
While we do not have a formal policy, most children will be with us 8-9 hours a day. For longer periods, we will discuss with the family the impact on the individual child of a longer day.
WE WILL ADD TO THIS LIST AS OTHER QUESTIONS COME UP.
Sibling Waitlist Form — click underlined link
FOR:
Siblings of any child currently or formerly registered with us. It is critical that the information about siblings be shared by you in writing (this form) to ensure the accuracy of the information that guides decision-making.
TIMING:
Children can be added to the Wait List as early as birth.
By December, we will ask families to be sure that they have put any siblings on the Wait List (but they can be added at any time).
Once currently attending children are accommodated for their requested schedules for the upcoming year, we will use the information on the Sibling Wait List Form to offer slots to sibs (typically January).
OTHER:
Because our toddler room is for older toddlers, we will offer slots to toddler siblings according to age (descending order).
IMPORTANT:
Being on the Sibling Wait List does NOT guarantee you a slot. We do our best to prioritize siblings whenever possible.