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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the youngest age you accept into the program?:
For the 2007-2008 school year, the child must be 16 months or older in September 2007.
What should I know about the enrollment process?:
Applications are accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis, and priority consideration is given
to families who have children currently enrolled at St. David's (please refer to the enrollment page
for application deadlines).
Additional consideration for enrollment is given to the following factors: children of staff, children of formerly enrolled families, children of board members, children with a relationship to St. David’s through one of our other programs, children who have been on the waiting list for the program, a gender balance within a class room, availability of slots in each age grouping, and a balance between Three-Hour slots and Half-Day or Full-Day slots.
What requirements are there for enrollment?:
First, an application must be completed. A completed application must have all of the white pages filled out, a signed Permission Form, a signed Tuition Agreement, two Emergency Cards, and it must include a registration fee. Applications will be dated and processed only if they are complete and accompanied by a registration fee.
For new families a program tour with Jan Foss, the Early Child hood Program Co-Director, or Shawn Rowan, the Admissions Coordinator must be completed before the first day of the program.
When will I know if my child has been accepted into St. David's?:
Enrollment for each program year is generally determined by the end of March. Parents will be notified by letter if their child is enrolled or if their child has been placed on the waiting list.
How much is the registration fee/deposit, and is it refundable?:
The registration fee is non-refundable, unless the program cannot provide you with an opening. This fee is
currently $30/per child for currently enrolled famillies, and $50/per child for all other families
(including Alumni families).
A $200 deposit, in addition to the registration fee, is required for each child enrolled. This deposit, which is non-refundable after May 1, is an advance tuition payment that will be applied to your tuition charges in May of 2008.
What are the daily hours for the program?:
Center hours are 7:00 A.M. - 6:00 P.M. The 3-Hour Morning Option runs from 8:45 A.M. - 11:45 A.M.
What are the age ranges for the rooms?:
As of September 2007, they will be:
| Toddler Classes (Half-Day or Full-Day Option Only): | 16 - 33 months of age |
| Toddler (3 Hour Class): | 24 - 33 months of age |
| 3-Year Old Classes (AM options): | 34 - 48 months of age |
| Pre-K Classes (4’s & 5’s grouped by age): | 46 - 67 months of age* |
* We may put younger children (46-48 months) in these rooms.
Do you offer any foreign language classes?:
Yes! We offer an English/Spanish class. The class is offered for children in our Pre-K program and it will have a four (M-R) or five day option. The class is open to children with a Three-Hour, Half Day, or Full Day schedule, but the Spanish component will take place from 8:45 to 11:45. (Similar to our other Pre-K classes, children with an extended day schedule may be placed in a different room during the afternoon.) There is a box on the application for you to check if you want to be considered for this class. An additional monthly fee will be charged for this class. The Four-Day Option will cost an additional $25.00 per month and the Five Day Option will cost $30.00.
Do you offer a hot lunch or any snacks?:
Unfortunately, we do not offer a hot lunch. Parents of children enrolled in our Half-Day or Full-Day Option will need to provide a healthy cold lunch for their child. The program will provide milk or juice with lunch. The program will also provide your child with a nutritious mid-morning snack and/or a mid-afternoon snack.
Do you have any toilet training requirements?:
Children in any of our Toddler Options do not need to be toilet trained. If your child is in one of the 3-Year Old classes we encourage parents to look for signs of readiness to begin the toilet training process. We will work with you towards achieving this goal. The Pre-K classes require that children be toilet trained by the time they start the program. If this is a concern, you must inform us before your child starts the program.
If I needed my child to stay early/late one day, would that be possible?:
Drop-In Extended Day is a quality extended day service offered up to twice a month to families of children currently enrolled in the Early Childhood Program and only on days the child is contracted to attend. Drop-In Extended Day is available when space permits during the early mornings from 7:00 a.m. - 8:45 a.m. and during the afternoon from 11:45 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Drop-In is charged on an hourly basis (see tuition rate sheet) and is billed monthly on your tuition statement. In order to maintain the quality of our Half-Day and Full-Day Options there are, at most, only 1 or 2 spots available in most classrooms. Reservations must be made at least two days in advance by filling out a Drop-In Request Form, found by the Parent Information boards.
Do you offer any tuition or financial assistance?:
Tuition and payment policies are fully described on the Tuitions Rates and Tuition Policies webpages. Please review these policies carefully. If you feel you may need financial assistance, a limited number of partial scholarships may be available through the Ayse Tanberk Memorial Scholarship Fund. You may inquire about financial assistance with our Finance Department.
How do you determine which child will be in which classroom?:
Classrooms are divided into age groupings. We try to maintain a gender balance in each group and maintain a specific balance of children with special needs in our classrooms.
How does inclusion work in the St. David's Early Childhood Program?:
St. David’s has a long-term commitment to providing developmentally appropriate, inclusive, educational services for young children. Inclusion is children of all abilities learning, playing and working together. We include children with typical needs and children with special needs in our Early Childhood classes. Our program reflects the diversity of children in the community. We believe programming for children with diverse abilities has a positive influence on all children. One way children with special needs are included is through our Hennepin County Respite Care Program. Other funding sources may also be available through specialized service contracts or private pay tuitions. Please contact Jana Rasmussen, the Special Services Director, if you feel your child has special educational needs.
Inclusion is a process, not a placement. Within successful inclusion all children have the opportunity to actively participate in a natural preschool setting. Inclusive classroom enrollment can only be successful when the inclusion process is tailored to meet the needs of the child and the program. In order for this to happen, parents are actively involved by sharing information, including assessments (e.g. IEP’s, Therapies, Special Education, etc.), and working with staff to develop a program plan so additional supports can be put in place if needed. Ongoing assessment and collaboration may be needed during the program year to ensure the inclusion process is a successful experience. Additional tuition may be necessary depending on the child’s needs. Please request assessment information if you have any concerns about your child’s development. Parents of children who are currently on an Individualized Education Plan (IEP), or who are placed on an IEP with their school district during the program year, are required to make an appointment with Jana Rasmussen, the Co Director of the Early Childhood Program, before enrollment can be finalized. This ensures planning will be done to provide a successful experience for each child.
When will I know which classroom my child is in? Can I arrange a visit with the teacher?:
Class lists are finalized in August. St. David's teachers will contact parents before the program starts to arrange a visit with the parent(s) and child. Please do not assume or tell your child that he or she will be in a particular classroom or have a specific teacher.
How can I arrange a tour of the ECP program?:
Call the Admissions Office at 952-548-8771 for additional information or to arrange a program tour. We thank you for your interest in and support of St. David's Early Childhood Program!
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