Frequently Asked Questions

Registration FAQs

1. When is registration? 
   Applications for the Summer session are accepted beginning April 1 of each year. Applications for the upcoming School Year are accepted beginning June 1. Rolling admissions continue throughout the year based on class availability. The Registration Priority and Timeline process is described below.

2. How can I register?
   For the upcoming School Year, registration is available online starting June 1. Visit the How to Register page for more information. If you have any additional questions regarding the registration process, please contact the Registrar.

3. Can I register for the Spring semester?
   The school does not have an official Spring semester registration period, but you can still sign up after the school year has begun. Contact preview@littlewonders.org or call (650) 348-0736 for more information. Please note that the non-refundable registration fee still applies to mid-year applications.

4. If my child attended Summer Term, are they considered a returning family for the next year’s registration?
   No. Returning families are those families that have had a child previously enrolled in a Standard Class in a School Year and fully participated in the co-op.

5. How much does Little Wonders cost?
   Please see our Tuition & Fees page for information. Tuition is prorated if a family joins after classes have begun.

6. Are there any payment plan options or scholarships available?
   Yes. Payment plans for tuition payments, as well as partial and full scholarships, are available. Please see the Tuition & Fees page, email the Board President, or call (650) 348-0736 for more information.

7. Is the registration fee refundable?
   No. This is a non-refundable fee which covers registration costs. All enrolled families must pay this fee, including those on the wait list.

8. If I start the program and need to withdraw, is my tuition refundable?
   School Year - All families must notify the Registrar of their intent to withdraw. Based on the date of your withdrawal, you may be required to complete your co-op obligations including your Annual Job and School Wash. Tuition deposits are non-refundable, and the remaining tuition will be prorated based on your withdrawal date and completion of co-op requirements. Refunds are not contingent on filling your space in class. No tuition will be refunded after March 1. 
   Summer Term - If withdrawing before the start of the Summer Term, families must notify the Registrar of their intent to withdraw. Tuition is refundable until one week before classes begin, however the Registration Fee is non-refundable. No refunds will be given after this deadline.

9. If I have twins or two children in the program, do I take more than one job and pay two fees?
   If the parent/child(ren)/twins are enrolled in the same class, there is one registration fee, one school wash requirement, and one job requirement. Please refer to the Tuition & Fees page for details.  
   If a parent enrolls in two different classes with two different children, there will be two registration fees collected as this is treated as two different registrations. Sibling discounts will be applied for a family registering two (non-multiple) children for two separate classes. We do give the family a break and only require participation in one school wash. However, we do ask that the parent considers taking on a pre-registration job or a standard job with some additional volunteer hours. 

10. Can I register my child in more than one class?
    Families interested in registering for more than one class for their child may sign up for one class during the registration period in June, then may submit a separate application for the additional class after July 1. The second application will place the family on the wait-list for the second class. If there are openings in the second class as of August 31, the family may be enrolled in the additional class. Each family that registers a child for more than one class will pay a registration fee per class, be required to perform only one school wash, and is requested to take on a Pre-Registration Job, or take a Standard Job plus volunteer some extra hours at the school throughout the year. Tuition for the second class will be discounted by 10%.

11. Are the School Year and Summer Session registrations related?
    No. The School Year registration process and the Summer Session registration process and registration forms are completely separate. The School Year Registration Priority and Timeline process are described in more detail below. Summer Session registration is handled on a first-come, first-serve priority basis.

12. Registration Priority and Timeline:
    Starting on June 1, class assignment priority will be given to Board Members and Pre-Registration Job holders, followed by returning families, and then new families based on the timestamp of the registration form submission. A lottery will be held for any class with more registrants than spots as of July 1. Standard Job assignments will be made after registration. Rolling admissions continue after July 1 based on class availability.

Classroom FAQs

1. Who can enroll at Little Wonders?
   For the Baby Play Class, parents with children 4 to 10 months old.
   For the Standard Classes, parents with children 10 to 36 months old as of September 1st of each school year.
   For the Mixed Ages Support Class, parents with children 9 to 36 months old as of September 1st of each school year.
   For the Preschool and Elementary Support Class, parents of children 3-10 years of age.

2. Can I enroll my child in a class outside of her age group? She has an older sibling and is very advanced.
   We cannot accommodate requests to schedule a child outside of their age cohort. Classes are grouped by age to account for the usual stages of development, including nap times. This strategy keeps the discussion topics age-appropriate and highly relevant to the entire group.

3. When is the School Year and how long does it last?
   School Year classes start the last week of August and run to the end of April. With holidays during the year, there are 30 weekday sessions for most classes. Note: Each class has a required night orientation in August.

4. When is the Summer Term and how long does it last?
   The first Summer session typically starts in May and lasts six weeks. The second Summer session typically starts in June and also lasts six weeks.

5. Can I start classes in the middle of the School Year or after the Summer Term has begun?
   Yes, if space becomes available. Contact the school at (650) 348-0736 or schedule a visit.

6. What happens during class time each week?
   Our in-person classes offer children a chance to explore a very “yes” environment, play and socialize. Parents alternate between being responsible for a teaching station in which they interact with children in a specific area of the classroom, and participating in a teacher-facilitated discussion. During the summer, children may participate in a 1-hour in-person playtime or 15-minute virtual circle time, and adults are offered a 75-minute parent education/discussion time in the evening. In the Fall, some classes will be hybrid, while other classes operate according to our usual model with supervised play, teaching parents, and parents on discussion. All virtual classes are held over Zoom.

7. What are my co-op obligations outside of the classroom?
   School Year - Please see the Co-op Requirements.
   Summer Term - There are no co-op obligations outside of the classroom for Summer Term families. In non-COVID times, there are no required night classes for returning families (i.e. no orientation). During the pandemic, there will be a mandatory safety orientation via Zoom before classes start. All parent education/discussion occurs in the evening over Zoom.

8. Are there any parent education classes outside of the classroom?
   Yes, we offer optional parenting classes in the evenings. Topics, times and locations vary and are posted in the classroom in advance.

9. Can I visit before applying?
   Yes! In fact, we require all interested new families to visit the school for a preview prior to submitting an application. You may arrange a visit by filling out our Preview a Class form.

EVENT FAQs

1. Do you have any upcoming events?

   Full details are available on our school calendar (password required).

Fundraising FAQS

1. How can I make a donation?

   Those interested in making a direct donation may fill out our Donation Form and send funds through PayPal or personal check. If you have an employer that offers corporate matching gifts, you may search for our Tax ID # 94-3212702 (Little Hands North). Whenever possible, please make checks payable to Little Wonders. Donations can be made throughout the year and are tax-deductible.

2. Are there other ways to support Little Wonders?

   Of course! Check out our Support Us page for details on other ways to support our school.

Vaccination FAQs

1. Does my child need to be vaccinated to attend Little Wonders?

   In accordance with California state law, we do require children to have received certain immunizations in order to attend, and we will also request immunization records to comply with the law. More details can be found on the California Department of Public Health website. We encourage everyone in our community to stay up-to-date with their vaccinations, including those against influenza and COVID-19.

Tuberculosis (TB) Testing FAQs

1. Can I start school without my TB forms completed?
   Participating adults may not start at Little Wonders without a completed TB Clearance Form. This is a California state law.

2. Where does an adult get a TB test?
   Your doctor's office or a CVS Minute Clinic. You will need two appointments––one to place the skin test, and another one 48-72 hours later to look for a reaction on your arm.

3. My TB test came out positive, what do I do?
   The healthcare provider who administered your TB test will need to do further testing. For many adults, a positive test means that you been infected with the TB bacterium at some point in your life. Other adults who were born outside of the United States may have simply received the BCG vaccine. For more information, please refer to the CDC’s pages on Testing for Tuberculosis and Diagnosing Latent TB Infection & Disease.

4. I’m pregnant or nursing. What do I do?
   TB skin testing is considered both valid and safe throughout pregnancy and nursing. For more information, please refer to the CDC’s page on Testing During Pregnancy.