Frequently asked questions
Please contact us if you have any questions not addressed here.
Please contact us if you have any questions not addressed here.
When a contract requires monthly payments for a specified period, it is common practice to place a deposit upfront. Likewise, we require a deposit in May which is our assurance that you intend to fulfill our contract. If the contract is fulfilled, the deposit will then be applied to the final installment of tuition.
Your tuition is based on an annual amount. When you register before the school year begins, you can make 10 smaller payments. We break down the tuition into 10 installments rather than nine monthly payments. (For example, if your annual tuition is $3800, your monthly installments are $380×10, but if we were to break it down into nine monthly installments, your tuition payment would be rounded to $425.)
The “Monthly” plan applies to children who register after the school year has already begun, and you no longer have an opportunity to make 10 smaller payments. Your monthly payment is determined by the annual tuition, divided by 9 months, and rounded to a whole number. (For example, if your yearly tuition is $2100 divided by 9 months, it would be $233.33, then rounded up to $235). You will only pay tuition for the months your child is enrolled in school. The “10 Month” plan is the annual tuition divided by 10 months (see question above regarding 10 payment requirements) and applies to registered children before the school year begins.
Your first payment is a deposit that will be applied to the annual tuition (see question regarding the May payment above), and the second payment is scheduled for August 1st. With this plan, your payments will end before school is out. The remaining eight payments are due on the 1st of each month from September through April. (see the question regarding 10 tuition payments above)
This payment is not tuition for August but 1 of 10 installments of the annual tuition. (see question above regarding 10 tuition payment requirements)
An electronic monthly newsletter will be sent out to all families, with a reminder that your tuition is due by the 1st of the month and late after the 7th. We do not send individual reminder notices.
Yes, you may pay by credit card, but a 3% convenience fee is applied. You may also pay by check or cash or set up online bill pay through your bank. (see question regarding bill pay below)
We do not do automatic drafts from your bank. The best way to have your payment sent to us automatically is by using an online bill payment method through your bank. (see question regarding bill pay below)
Online bill pay, offered by your bank, is a service that sends money out of your bank account to whoever you wish. This convenient service will cut and mail a check. You will set this up through your bank and can schedule one payment or recurring monthly payments. Be sure to plan and add extra time for bank processing; five business days or more is usually necessary for the check to be cut and mailed.
The book and supply fee you paid at registration will pay for your child’s school bag, curriculum, and daily supplies such as construction paper, craft supplies, etc. The supply list includes additional supplies not included in your fee at registration.
Due to limited parking, we have had to stagger our starting times. However, we ask that you allow us to choose the start time for your child. Your child’s schedule will be determined by the teacher they are placed with. Their age determines your child’s placement (we try to group them within 3-4 months of each other), and we try to keep the boy/girl ratio balanced. Our goal is to optimize your child’s learning environment.
If you notify us at registration that you will be carpooling with another family, we will try to place the children on the same schedule.
You will learn who your child’s teacher is at our “Open House.” We aim to ensure every child is in the best learning environment for their age and developmental level. We also take into consideration the boy/girl ratio for each classroom. Due to the many changes that occur over the summer, class lists are finalized shortly before the new school year begins.
It is not always possible for your child to be placed with your favorite teacher. Their age determines your child’s placement (we try to group them within 3-4 months of each other), and we want to keep the boy/girl ratio balanced. Our goal is to optimize your child’s learning environment.
At Open House, you will be provided with a tote bag for your preschooler through kindergarten to keep their lunch box and any other materials that they need for school. This bag is provided as it is the appropriate size for take-home items to be sent in and is easily manageable for your child. 1st grade and above will bring their backpack.
We do not have a food service, so you must send a lunch and water bottle with your child each day.
We do send out monthly newsletters. They may go to your spam or blocked mail if you are not getting them. Please add our email address (steffani@firstfoundations.com and info@firstfoundations.com) to your contact information so it doesn’t get blocked. If you are still not receiving them, please notify the office. Also, let us know if you have changed your email address so you don’t miss our correspondence.