Frequently Asked Questions
Administrative
What is the class size?
Classes are capped at 15 students. We have one teacher and two parent teacher volunteers per class.
What is the class schedule?
Our school follows the Salem-Keizer school district schedule, except we finish our school year the second week of May. We also follow SKSD for school closures for inclement weather; however if weather forces SKSD to call a late-start then we cancel (we don't do late-start).
Can I stay with my child in class?
Yes, you are welcome to stay in class with your child. We love parent involvement!
Does my child have to be potty trained to attend class?
Your child does not need to be potty trained, but we require that a responsible caregiver stays with them if they are not fully potty trained.
Responsibilities
What is expected of me/what is involved?
Participate as one of two rotating parent volunteers ("parent teacher") in the classroom (after passing background check).
Everyone is required to also have a parent job. Some jobs require you to be at a certain place at a certain time (in class, for example; or at a monthly board meeting). Some can be done entirely on your own time, from home.
Have to help with the annual fundraising efforts (usually the auction).
Our school is a cooperative preschool, where families work together as volunteers to run the school. Unlike a traditional school where you can drop off your child and you have no additional responsibilities, a co-op is structured around the premise that everyone participates and has a job.
The involvement of your family is essential to our program. We simply cannot function without the willing participation of each enrolled family. We look forward to getting to know your child’s entire family, so any family member (grandparents, aunts, uncles, family friends, etc.) who is invested in the life of your child is welcome to fulfill the requirements for participation in the co-op. We function as a community and we understand you do too!
How often do I have to work in the classroom?
Depending on class size, plan to volunteer an average of once or twice per month.
Do I need to provide snack for my child?
For Toddler Time, Yes: you bring your own snack for your child.
For mixed-age/Pre-K, one parent volunteer brings snacks for the whole class.
Tuition and Enrollment
What does tution cover?
Tuition goes toward paying the teacher and operating expenses (rent, phone, insurance), but nothing else (no supplies, no equipment, etc.); so fundraising is very important.
If I start later, will my tuition be pro-rated?
Yes, we will pro-rate tuition if you start mid-month.
We missed a class, do I have to pay for it / is there a make-up?
Our tuition is based on averaging the number of school days starting in September and ending in May. So yes, you still have to pay the same regardless of missed classes (whether for illness, school holidays, or the the school year ending mid-month). For this and other reasons, we regret that we cannot offer make-up classes.
Do I have to wait for the new semester/year to begin enrolling?
No, you can enroll and start at any point within the year, as long as there is space available within the class.
Can my baby come to class with my older child who is enrolled?
Yes, if you have one child is enrolled in class, then an under-18-month child is free to attend.
How do I schedule a tour?
You can schedule a tour using the Calendly link. If there is a technical problem, you can use the contact form or email hello@creativediscoveriespreschool.com
I'm ready to sign up, how do I register?
How do I know that my spot has been secured?
As long as there are open spots, once you pay the registration fee your spot is confirmed and you will receive an email confirmation. Feel free to reach out to hello@creativediscoveriespreschool.com if you have further questions.