Frequently Asked Questions

​​

How is a Cooperative Childcare Center different from a typical childcare center?​

​​​​

Little Redwoods School (LRS) is a cooperative childcare center. A cooperative childcare center like ours depends on each family member sharing the responsibility for the school's welfare and progress. Our goal is to provide a values-driven, family-first, community-focused experience for enrolled children and their caregivers. Our program fosters an environment where paid staff and family members collaborate to create a high-quality, developmentally appropriate experience for every child. 

Families are asked to contribute two to five hours per month to the maintenance of the care center. We endeavor to provide and coordinate participation in a flexible range of tasks that can be used to satisfy this requirement, such as participating in community cleanup days, prepping classroom materials, organizing a garden planting day, becoming a member on the Board of Directors or one of its committees, or donating in-kind labor or goods.

 

What does Caregiver Mean? ​​

​

“Caregiver” refers to parents, guardians, or other close family members/friends who provide care for LRS students and play an active role in the school community. We use this term to recognize that parents are not the only adults who are important in our students’ lives, and we welcome caregivers’ participation in our cooperative community. 

​

What are your Schedule Options?

​

• Full time: Monday through Friday

• Part-time (3-Day): Monday, Wednesday, and Friday only.

• Part-time (2-Day): Tuesday and Thursday only

​​

How often is tuition billed, and when is it due?

​

Tuition is billed monthly and due on the 1st of the month through the Brightwheel
.

Do I still have to pay regular tuition if I go on vacation or if the school is closed?

​

Yes. LRS is funded by your tuition, fundraising, and grant finding efforts. Tuition andfees are not prorated for family vacations, illness, holidays, or other school closures. We are acooperative community, and we all share the expense and responsibility to keep the school running.In the event of an unforeseen, temporary closure, no refunds will be given for tuition already paid

​

What is your Food Policy?

​

Upon opening, LRS will provide a morning and afternoon snack, and caregivers will provide lunch for their child. All food brought from home must comply with nut-free policy and be clearly labeled with the child’s full name. For infants, caregivers must provide all food (including breast milk or formula) from home until LRS receives a signed copy of the sample menu acknowledging their child has tried these foods at home and is ready to join the school food.

 

As our school grows, we plan to explore the addition of an on-site chef who will prepare fresh, wholesome lunches for children.

​

How do I check my child in and out?

​

Caregivers check their child in and out through the Brightwheel application where they receive updates on their child’s day (i.e., diaper times, meal times, photos, etc.)

​

What security does the school have?

​

The doors of our school can only be opened with a badge. Caregivers receive a badge to enter the school upon enrollment. EPA security personnel check the doors and monitor the premises consistently throughout the day

​

How do I communicate absences?

​

You can inform us of absences by sending a message on the Brightwheel application. If your child will be absent for the day, please let us know by 8:00am so we can adjust accordingly. When you have a vacation planned, please let us know the dates as soon as possible.

​

What is your sick policy?

​

LRS is only licensed to provide care to children who are not ill; children must be well enough to participate in group care. Additionally, any child showing the following symptoms of illness must be kept at home:

• Diarrhea or vomiting within the past 24 hours. 

• Fever greater than 100.4 degrees that has not broken without the aid of medications such as Tylenol, Motrin, or Advil. 

• Productive cough where child cannot catch their breath. 

• Runny or stuffy nose with thick yellow or green mucus. 

• Strep or Staph infection on antibiotics less than 24 hours.

• Conjunctivitis (pinkeye) with thick white, yellow, or green tinted discharge. 

• Rash that has not been determined by a physician to be non-contagious.

​

Does my child need to be fully potty trained to enroll in preschool?

​

While full potty training is not required, a child’s openness to using the toilet is an important readiness sign for preschool, supporting hygiene routines and growing independence.

​

How do I know my child is ready for their classroom?

​

To ensure a safe and developmentally appropriate group care environment, infant readiness requirements include the following: (1) ability to feed from a bottle, (2) ability to hold head up steadily, (3) tolerates tummy time, (4) beginning to roll over from stomach to back, and (5) cleared by a pediatrician for group care.

​

Toddler readiness requirements include the following: (1) walks steadily; (2) uses gestures, words, or signs to express needs; (3) ready to feed themselves, drink from a cup, and sit in a chair for group mealtimes; (4) ready to participate in simple routines, like washing hands with assistance; and (5) can transition to a single midday nap.

​

Preschool readiness requirements include the following: (1) uses words or short phrases to express wants, needs, and ideas; (2) can understand and follow simple directions; (3) walks, climbs, and moves with increasing coordination; (4) can hold and use basic classroom tools; (5) can follow basic routines with guidance; (6) shows interest in potty training; (7) shows interest in self-care tasks, like dressing themselves; and (8) beginning bodily interoception skills, such as recognizing hunger, third, and temperature.

​

LRS staff can provide interested families with complete age readiness requirement information for each classroom upon request.