Common questions
The questions families actually ask.
Our parent handbook runs to twenty-five pages, because the state requires it to. Here are the answers families ask for most, in plain language. Anything we have not covered, please just ask.
Before you enroll
Does my child need to be potty trained?
No — and no child can be turned away for it. Under a recent change to state regulations, children do not need to be potty trained to attend, and a program may not exclude them on that basis. Our teachers change diapers as a matter of course, without fuss and without shame. If your family uses cloth diapers, we will send them home with you in a sealed bag at the end of the day; state law does not allow us to launder them here.
What ages do you serve?
Little Ivy is a mixed-age center serving children ages 2.9 to 5, across our two groups — The Oaks, our older children in the year before kindergarten, and The Ivys, our youngest.
What are your hours?
Our program runs 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday. A 30-minute morning drop-off and a 30-minute afternoon pick-up extension are available for an additional fee, scheduled in advance. Availability may be limited.
Do you offer part-time schedules?
Yes. Families choose five full days, Monday/Wednesday/Friday, Tuesday/Thursday, or five half days. Half days run 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM.
How do I learn about tuition?
We share tuition and schedule details during your tour or upon request. Schedule a visit and we'll walk you through everything.
Your child's day
What time does the day actually begin?
Doors open at 7:30, or at 7:00 with a morning extension. The day formally begins at 9:00 with our morning meeting, so we ask that children arrive by then — arriving mid-meeting is a hard way for a small person to start a morning.
How much time do children spend outside?
Children go outside twice a day, for at least thirty minutes each time — roughly an hour of fresh air and gross-motor play. Our outdoor space is a second classroom, with a mud kitchen, chalk, and room to dig and build, rather than a playground to be supervised on.
What is your teaching approach?
Reggio-inspired, with Montessori woven through: the child leads, and play is how learning happens. We are not a licensed Montessori school by choice — we keep what serves children and leave the rules that do not. Our curriculum is aligned with the local district, so what your child learns here is what waits for them in kindergarten.
Do children nap?
Yes. After lunch there is a story, then quiet and rest. Half-day children head home at 1:00, and many others are collected after rest.
Enrollment
When can we enroll?
Enrollment is offered on a rolling basis as space becomes available. Families are encouraged to tour and join the waitlist early.
What happens if a classroom is full?
Families may ask to join the waitlist. When a space opens, families are contacted in the order they were added, and placement depends on available classroom space, your child's age and group placement, and schedule availability.
What do we need to provide before the first day?
Completed enrollment forms, emergency contact information, a signed parent handbook acknowledgement, your child's most recent physical examination, up-to-date immunization records, authorization for pick-up and emergency contacts, and any required health care plans or medical documentation. Children may not attend until all required documentation has been received and reviewed.
What if the first few weeks are hard?
They sometimes are, and that is normal. The first 30 days are an adjustment period for both the child and the program. Teachers and families work closely together to support a smooth, confident transition.
Do you follow the school district calendar?
Yes. Little Ivy follows the Hampden-Wilbraham Regional School District calendar. When the district schools are closed for holidays or vacation weeks, our program is closed too. Families receive an updated yearly calendar at the start of each school year.
Still wondering?
Bring your questions to the door.
A tour answers more in twenty minutes than any page can. Walk the rooms, meet the space, and ask us anything.