FAQ's

• How long is the waitlist?

  Your waitlist time will depend greatly on the age of the child and your location, requests, or flexibility.  We do have a very long waitlist for children 0-3, but tend to have openings more often in the 3-5 range since those are larger classrooms.   There are quite a few factors that affect your waitlist time, so it’s difficult to give accurate predictions, but most children 0-3 will know if a spot will open for the fall by June of the preceding year.

• How do we handle behavior issues?

  At ELFE, we take a functional approach to behavior.  This means that we approach behavioral issues as a skill deficit, the same way we would approach a child having academic difficulty; by looking for ways to support their learning.  We don’t employ the use of punishments or coercion in order to shape behaviors. We do use a pyramid model of behavior support that involves creating appropriate supportive environments, explicitly teaching desired skills, and developing detailed plans to create consistent responses when behavior issues arise.  We consider parent communication key when it comes to addressing behavioral issues, and we work closely with parents when any classroom issues occur.  Our positive behavior support policy sets out clear guidelines for the steps we will take when there are any ongoing challenges. 

• Do you serve food?

  We serve fresh fruits and vegetables twice a day, along with a complementary item such as hummus or crackers. Students bring their own lunch.

• When are you closed?

  We try to avoid any additional closures to minimize stress for working parents. We are closed on 11 major holidays, but are open all weekdays beyond that. We do not follow school district closures for snow or weather. While the possibility exists that we have to close in times of very severe inclement weather, we have traditionally been able to stay open even during district ice or snow days.

• Do you have part-time options?

  We don’t have any part-time enrollment options at this time. Our 8:30-4:30 enrollment option allows parents who don’t need 7-6 care to enroll for 5 days a week at a lower rate. Parents are welcome to utilize care only when it’s needed.

• How often do you go outside?

  Except for the infant room, all our classes 1 year and up go outside twice a day, weather permitting.  We err on the side of gearing up properly and getting some fresh air for at least a little while, even when the weather is wet or cold.