New Parents Guide

Your First Day and Beyond

We know that changing or starting a new school isn’t easy. A child’s first day can be filled with excitement and anxiety over the unknown. We focus on making the transition as welcoming and worry-free as possible – for your child and for you. To ensure that’s the case, here are a few things to keep in mind for your first day – and beyond.

  • Keeping your child safe: On your first day (or before), you’ll get check-in instructions/codes for entering our secure school facility.
  • Getting you acquainted: Be sure to take a tour of your child’s classroom and get an overview of the daily routine. Visit:
    • Your child’s personal cubby – we’ll keep their personal belongings safe and place any take-home items here
    • Family Communication Center – we post lesson plans, your teacher’s name, announcements, and upcoming event info for every classroom
    • Documentation of Learning – we love watching them learn as much as you do, so we take plenty of photos of daily activities and post them around our school
  • Keeping you in the know: On day one, you’ll receive your first update about your child’s experience, plus a few photos. After that, we’ll start sending you regular reports to keep you informed and involved every day that your child is with us.

And here are a few things to keep in mind when coming to school:

  • Please dress your child in comfortable, washable, weather-appropriate play clothes (including all accessories). Note: flip-flops, sandals, and open-toe shoes not permitted.
  • For a child who will be napping, please provide a small blanket.
  • For infants, a favorite toy and a family photo to keep by the crib is a good idea.
  • For all kids, please provide one change of clothes (add your child’s first and last name on all clothing and personal items in permanent ink).

Spread the Word. Share the Love.

We want your help to grow our family.

You love us. Your child loves us. And now we want you to share that love. Tell your friends, family, neighbors—everybody—about the nurturing care and creative learning you’ve experienced in our safe environment. We can’t wait to meet them. Remember, we have schools all across the country, so don’t forget about your friends and family in other states.

Plus, we’re offering great rewards for successful referrals. So register online and start referring. It’s simple: Our digital referral program enables you to refer by email, Facebook, Twitter, and more. And you’ll have your own personal account to track the status of your referrals.

The more friends you refer, the more rewards you earn. So start spreading the word.

Parenting Articles

No parent has all the answers. Even the best of us need some help and guidance from time to time. So use the child care, childhood development and upbringing articles and reference materials below whenever life — or your little one — throws you a curveball.

Health and Safety

Tips for a Safe and Happy Halloween
Car Seat Safety
Family Vacation Tips
Is My Child Getting Enough Sleep?
Is Your Child Over Scheduled?
Summertime Safety

Guiding Your Child’s Behavior

Seven Activities to Instill Gratitude this Holiday Season
Dealing with Your Child’s Challenging Behaviors
Help Your Child Make Good Choices
Helping Children Cope with Stressful Times
Is Conflict Healthy for Children?
Punished by Rewards Part 1
Punished by Rewards Part 2
The Fine Art of Sharing

The Art of Parenting

Helping Children through Life’s Transitions
How Do I Potty Train My Child?
Loving Children Unconditionally
Talking with Your Child about Difficult Subjects
The Importance of Community for Young Children

Understanding Your Child’s Development

Promoting Healthy Cognitive Development in Your Child
Promoting Healthy Language Development in Your Child
Promoting Healthy Physical Development in Your Child
Promoting Healthy Social-Emotional Development in Your Child

Your Child’s Educational Journey

How To Help Promote Literacy Development in Young Children
Help Us Celebrate Literacy Month
Back to School Shopping Checklist
Tips for a Smooth Transition into the New School Year
Family/School Relationship
How Does Your Child Learn?
The Answer Is Play
The Great Outdoors
The Importance of Imagination