A Gentle Place to Begin

Our infant program will offer a full-day program of 8-9 hours of care and a half-day program of 4 hours of care between 8:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Our infant program is designed to provide each child with a safe and nurturing environment that will stimulate learning. Along with the individual caregiving moments, teachers will also plan and organize their environments to provide experiences that enhance motor development – reaching, grasping, crawling in and out, throwing, pulling; cognitive development – object permanence, cause and effect experiences, language, listening and responding to sounds and voices, and problem-solving; social development – playing among others, positive peer interactions, and expressing emotions towards others.

Teachers actively chart the development of each child and provide parents with regular communication regarding their child’s personal care routine. Our infant program relies on low caregiver-to-child ratios to maintain quality, nurturing interactions. The caregivers are trained in PITC along with RIE practices (Resources for Infant Educators). These practices draw on research that demonstrates the benefits of responsive caregiving.

Tuition can be paid weekly, bi-weekly or monthly. 

Our infant program offers a full day program of 8-9 hours of care along with a half day program of 4 hours of care between 8:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.

Tuition covers enrollment in either our half day program or in our Full day program. Tuition for the A.M. program covers 4 hours of care daily.

Other Fees: Annual Art and Music Fee of $100 due in September. One time registration fee of $50 to reserve a space and paperwork.

Our Extended Day Infant and Pre-School Programs are offered Monday through Friday. We are open from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Tuition for the extended day program includes 9-10 hours of care per day as well as two snacks. Care over 10 hours a day must be approved by the program director.

There is no guarantee of refund, credit or reduction of tuition payment due to school closures due to natural disasters to include fire, earthquake, flood, pandemic such as COVID19 or if your child is out sick. Payment of tuition assures that your child’s place in our program is maintained. If Full Steam Ahead is shut down by a government agency such as: CDC, the Health Dept., the State or other government agency, tuition already collected may not be returned or credited to families. Tuition is Full Steam Ahead ’s only source of funds to cover operating costs including wages, rent, insurance, materials and supplies, etc.

Tuition represents the largest source of income for Full Steam Ahead and we rely on these fees to assure that we can provide quality early education and care for your child at the most affordable rates possible. Please refer to the current tuition rate schedule. Tuition fees are subject to change at any time with a 10-day written notice.

Since full and timely payment of tuition is critical to our ability to maintain our operations, we would like to outline our policies and procedures regarding the payment of fees to Full Steam Ahead as follows:

Unless paying monthly, the weekly billing period is from Monday to Friday. Billing is completed on Friday for the following week. Payment is due on Friday by 5pm and expected in full no later than Monday. If payment is not received by Tuesday, a $25 late fee will be assessed per day for each subsequent day tuition is late. If payment is not received in full (tuition + late fee) by Friday, the child will be discharged from the program until payment is received. 

A $75 re-enrollment fee will be required to re-enroll the child back into the program if space is available.

Tuition can be paid directly through Brightwheel. In addition, checks are accepted and can be placed in the tuition box when your child is dropped off on the first day of the month. Tuition may be paid by personal check or money order payable to Full Steam Ahead. Returned checks will be subject to a $35.00 fee for each returned check. If a check is returned, you will be notified and will be expected to obtain a money order for the original check amount and the retuned check fee. Henceforth, you will be required to pay your tuition with a money order. Checks will no longer be accepted as payment.

There is no reduction in payment in the tuition amount if your child is sick or on vacation. Payment of your tuition assures that your child’s place in our program is maintained during his or her absence. We cannot guarantee re-enrollment if you choose to take time off. We are a year-round program and as such draw from our current interest list to ensure that we remain fully enrolled year-round.

If your child is ill or the family is going on vacation, the Preschool should be notified so that your child’s place in the program is maintained. An absence of more than five (5) consecutive days when Preschool staff has not been notified or paid for services may result in termination of enrollment.

Parents are responsible for tuition until Full Steam Ahead has been notified that you plan to discontinue enrollment. If you wish to withdraw your child from the program, you are required to notify the Director by giving a written notice at least three (3) weeks in advance of your child’s intended withdrawal.

Late Policy and Fee

Please call as soon as you realize that you are going to be late for pick up. After Hours Fee: The Center closes at 6 pm. All children should be out of the Center by 6 pm. Parents should arrive no later than 5:55 pm to allow enough time to visit with the teacher, collect the child’s belongings, and sign out. Consequently, a $15 for each 10-minute period fee will be charged for each minute past closing time. In the event that parents cannot be reached after 15 minutes past closing time, the emergency contact person will be notified to come and pick up the child.

Full Steam Ahead reserves the right to discontinue services if the tuition and any late fees are not paid in a timely manner as detailed above.

Transitions

Children transition from their group based on many factors including developmental readiness, group dynamics, availability of space and age. We will notify parents three to eight weeks before a transition is likely to occur. The child’s primary caregiver will work closely to connect the child to their new group and set of educators. Toddlers who transition to the preschool room and are not toilet learned will continue to be charged the toddler tuition rate. The additional fee will help to offset the lower ratio needed to provide continued assistance with diapering in the preschool classroom. Preschool staff will work with parents to develop a toilet learning plan however Full Steam Ahead staff is not solely responsible for toilet learning a child. Note: parent/caregiver written authorization is required when toddlers transition to the preschool program.

Refund Conditions

There are no refunds for the tuition or registration fees (initial or annual). Please refer to the above stated policy, which requires at least three weeks written notice to discontinue your child’s enrollment.