FAQ
How and when do I register my child at the Academy?
Registration for the 24-25 program year will open to the community on December 1st. Our new application will be available for download soon. Completed applications (one per child) and the $100 application fee can be dropped off at the Rotunda Entrance of First Church beginning at 7:30 am on December 1st. Applications will not be accepted before this date. We will process applications as quickly as possible and reach back out to you to either confirm we have a space available in the program of your choice, OR let you know we do not have a space and will add you to the 24-25 program year waitlist.
How does the waitlist work?
Once a program is filled, we will start a waitlist with families in the order of their inquiry. You can be placed on the waitlist by either calling or emailing us. There is no fee or deposit to join our waiting list. If a space opens, we will contact you and give you the option of taking the space or remaining on the waitlist. Once you have confirmed your interest, we ask for either a $300 (part time) or $500 (full time) deposit if your start date is more than one month away. This deposit is deducted from your 1st month tuition installment once your child starts with us.
The waitlist is not perpetual. Names remain on the waitlist for the current program year. At year end (August) names are removed and the list begins again. If you would like your name to remain on the list for the next program year, please reach back out to us.
How are classrooms staffed?
Staff are chosen for their qualifications, their love of children, and their passion for early childhood education. Each of our programs is staffed to meet or exceed ratio. We have a staggered staffing pattern to accommodate a 10-hour day and teacher breaks.
Why do children stay in the same classroom for 12 months?
Positive interactions and relationships with adults provide a critical foundation for successful learning. The full year allows ample time for children to fully bond with their caregivers, for teachers to understand their unique needs, and for teacher-family partnerships to form. Classroom environments are changed frequently to meet the changing developmental needs of the children.
You use a play-based curriculum, are my children really learning?
YES! Our curriculum is research and evidence based. Researchers have long recognized the importance of play as a critical component to a child’s early development. Constructive and purposeful play supports self-regulation skills, memory development, language and literacy skills and math skills.
How many children are in each classroom?
There are 5 classrooms at the Academy. Three rooms serve children under 3 years of age: one infant and toddler room, one toddler/twos, and one two-year-old room. The maximum number of children in each of these rooms on a given day is 8. The ratio of children to teachers is 4:1.
There is one PreK 3 classroom (must turn 3 by Jan. 1 of the program year) and one PreK 4 classroom. The ratio of children to teachers is 10:1. The Academy makes every effort to staff beyond ratio and keeps class sizes small to best meet the varying needs of the children.