• DO YOU ACCEPT CHILD CARE SOUTH? Unfortunately, at this time, we do not accept Child Care South.

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• WHAT IS YOUR ENROLLMENT PROCESS? From our website, click the "Schedule a Tour" tab and complete the form. We will then follow up (please allow 24 hours) to confirm your tour date. Once you and your family have toured we will set up a date for your child to spend a few hours with us. This is called a trial day and it is completely optional and of no charge to you. Lastly, you will secure your child's spot, in our program, by paying tuition and applicable Fees via Brightwheel. (Don't worry we will walk you through this.)​

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• Explain your "Baby Steps" Program: We know that every child's first experience with preschool will be different, and that's ok. With that in mind we have designed a program that protects the child's emotional experience and feelings of leaving their family, sometimes for the first time. This gentle program has been created to help little ones who aren experiencing separation anxiety a way to ease or "Baby Step" into our program. 

  • This is how it works: ​

  • Week One; Monday-Friday 9am-10am 

  • Week Two; Monday-Friday 9am-11am

  • Week Three (if necessary) 9am-12pm

  • Now children have become familiar with their teachers, classroom and daily routine. As confidence grows children begin participating in ore classroom activities and making new friends. Some children are ready after two weeks and some need just a little more time.  We follow each child's individual pace because every child deserves a successful start.                                                                                                                              

• ARE YOU CURRENTLY ON WAIT-LIST?  Some of our classes currently have a wait-list, while others do not. However, all of our classes are very close to being full. Please feel free to contact us regarding availability. Please Note; if we have scheduled you for a tour there is currently at least one spot available for the nest 24 hours post tour. 

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• WHAT ARE YOUR SCHOOL'S HOURS?  Preschool begins at 8:30 and ends at 12:30. After School Care begins at 12:30 and ends at 4:30. For after school children, everyone is awake by 3pm and most are going potty (or having their diaper/Pull changed. changed) and starting with their afternoon snack.

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• HOW MUCH ARE YOUR REGISTRATION FEES AND TUITION? We offer parents several options, including number of days attended, as well as half (8:30-12:30) or full (8:30-4:30) days. On our website please click whichever session you are interested in (Preschool or Summer Camp) and scroll down. At the bottom of the page you will find all prices for fees and tuition.

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• WHEN IS TUITION DUE AND HOW IS IT PAID? Tuition is due the first of each month. Tuition is paid through Brightwheel (ACH Debit) or cash. We are unable to accept checks or credit cards at this time.​

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• DOES MY CHILD HAVE TO BE POTTY TRAINED?  We begin potty training all students when they enter K2. We require our students to be potty trained for K3 and K4.​

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• ARE THERE SEPARATE ENROLLMENT FEES FOR PRESCHOOL AND SUMMER CAMP? Yes, there are separate fees for both sessions. This allows parents the option of their child participations in one session or both sessions. Fall Session begins the middle of August and ends at the end of May. Summer Camp begins the first week of June and ends the middle of August.

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• ARE YOU A LICENSED FACILITY? Under Alabama state laws we are a licensed exempt child care facility. However, once you complete a tour with us, you will see that almost everything we do is well beyond the state's requirements.

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• WHAT ARE YOUR REQUIREMENTS OF YOUR PRESCHOOL TEACHERS?  All staff members love children and are passionate about what they do. We require a trial period to ensure all teachers will fully embrace our program, as well as have the kind, loving, nurturing spirit of a Mom. After a trial period, they will undergo extensive hands-on training before they are given a classroom assignment. Furthermore, we require an in-depth background check as well as an annual certification of Pediatric CPR. 

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• DO YOU ACCEPT CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS?  Yes, we do in some instances. At the Watermelon Patch Preschool, our top priorities are to ensure the safety, happiness and well-being of each student. We recognize that our school will not meet the needs of every child. Therefore, each child is evaluated to be sure that our program and staff have the best training and resources available for all children to thrive. 

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• DO YOU PROVIDE MEALS?  We believe that each family has a particular interest in preparing meals that are familiar and nutritious for their child. Considering the diversity of our students, we do not provide meals or snacks.​

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• DO YOU TAKE FIELD TRIPS?  For the safety of our students we do not take trips off of school property. However, we frequently have visiting guests throughout the school year; such as community helpers, leaders and artists.

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• HOW SECURE IS YOUR BUILDING? We take the safety of our children very serious. All doors are kept locked at all times with the exception of a ten minute window during drop off and pick up. In addition, our facility has 37 cameras with vision and audio. *Parents may request to see footage at any time. However, if other students are in the footage we are required by law to have the other parents sign off before anyone else may view it.

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• WHY DO YOU NOT ALLOW TOURS DURING THE DAY? Our children's safety is one of our top priorities. Therefore, we do not allow strangers in the building during school hours. Tours are scheduled after hours.