Get in touch
Reach out to the admissions team by phone or email to start the conversation. Share your child's age and the days you need. You can also submit an inquiry form online. They will follow up with next steps.
How enrollment works
Tour the room
Book a tour to see the classroom your child would join and meet the teachers. Tours are the best way to see the school in action. You will walk through the spaces and ask questions. After the visit, the admissions team will talk with you about fit and timing.
Enroll and settle in
Complete the enrollment forms and plan a first week that suits your child's routine. Before the first day, you can ask about drop-off, pickups, and how the first weeks are handled. The school will confirm what to bring and any health records needed.
What to have ready
Most families have enrollment forms, a health form with immunization records, emergency contacts, and a list of people authorized to pick up. The school will tell you exactly what it needs. Keep copies for your own records. If you are unsure about any form, ask the admissions office.
Pack a change of clothes that can get messy, outdoor gear for the season, and any nap items your child uses. A small comfort object from home can help at rest time. Label everything with your child's name. A water bottle and lunch are part of the daily bag.
Before the first day, decide who will drop off and pick up, and make sure the school has that list. Talk with your child about what the morning will look like. You can also tell the teacher how you prefer to hear about the day, whether at pickup or another way. The more the teacher knows, the smoother the start.
The first weeks
The first days are often shorter, with a gentle goodbye and a teacher who greets your child by name. A familiar object from home can make the classroom feel safer. Children may watch for a while before joining an activity. That is normal and teachers give them time.
At pickup, teachers usually share one or two concrete things: what your child played with, how they ate, when they rested. Ask questions if you want more detail. Most children settle into the rhythm within a few weeks. You can check in with the teacher as often as you need.
Before you call
Ages
Hours
What families ask
What about tuition?
Ask about current rates when you call or tour. They depend on your child's age and schedule.
What ages do you take?
Children from 6 Weeks to 18 Months, 18 Months to 3 Years, 3-6, 5-6, 6 to 9, 9 to 12.
Can we visit before deciding?
Yes, a tour is how most families decide. Children come along and can see the rooms, the materials, and the other children at work.
What should my child bring on the first day?
For a first day, families usually pack a change of clothes, a comfort item, and anything labelled with the child's name. Diapers, wipes, and bottles if needed. The school will tell you if it provides any of these.
How do you handle the first weeks?
Settling in often starts with shorter days and a familiar object from home. A teacher greets your child by name and stays close during the first activities. At pickup, you can ask how the day went and what your child enjoyed.
What does a typical day include?
A day is built around arrival and drop-off, an uninterrupted work cycle in the morning, then recess and lunch. Afternoons include nap prep or dismissal prep, afternoon work time, and dismissal. Outside time and meals are part of the rhythm. Your child's teacher can tell you the exact schedule for their age group.
How will I know how my child is doing?
Parents usually hear about the day at pickup, when teachers share a few concrete details. You can also ask questions directly. The school will let you know the best way to reach your child's teacher.
Do you offer part-time or flexible schedules?
Schedules depend on your child's age group and what openings are available. The admissions team can tell you what is possible for your family.
What if there is no place right now?
Families can ask to be notified when a place opens for their child's age group. The admissions office will keep your inquiry on file.
What should I ask on the tour?
Ask about hours, what meals and snacks are provided, and how pickups work. Ask how the first weeks are handled and what the day looks like for your child's age. The answers will help you picture your child's day.
Ask about a place
Call (610) 649-1761 or email gshangle@gladwyne.org