What’s the application process?
You may apply as soon as your child is born. Once you submit your application, your child will be placed on our waiting list. We will invite you to an Open House information meeting the January before your child is eligible for Fall admission. Please note that priority is given to siblings of children who are attending or who have attended Piedmont Play School. Priority is also given to children of alumni. Sibling and alumni applications must be received by January 1st of the year that the child plans to attend. For example, if your child is three and planning to attend in the Fall of 2025, your child’s application must be received by January 1, 2025.
When can I tour the school?
We provide tours during January and early February. Tour sign-ups are available at the January Open House meeting.
When will I be notified about our admission status?
In late January, we begin to fill our spots for the following school year. The membership chair will notify families for which we have a place. If there is no space available, your child will stay on the waiting list.
Can I apply for a second year position?
Yes, we sometimes have openings for students who attend only the 4-year-old year.
Is there a chance of getting into the school even if I am not close to the top of the list?
Yes. Every year, plans change and we often make it quite a ways down our list, so don’t give up hope!
Do you offer extended care?
Our morning program hours are 9:00 to 12:00. We currently offer extended care on Tuesdays and Thursdays between the hours of 12:00 to 2:50 for a limited number of families (preference to yellowbirds). The extended care program will continue in future years depending on interest of families, as well as availability of the facility and teaching staff.
Do children need to be potty trained?
Yes, they need to be trained before starting school.
At what age may a child attend?
Children must be three years old as of December 1 for the school year in which they will attend.
Who is eligible to work on the parent’s participation day?
Parents (only) work twice a month at school. Nannies and grandparents are not eligible.
If I don’t want to attend all 5 days, is there some flexibility?
We encourage all children to attend 5 days, so they don’t miss out on themes and projects that continue throughout the week. By missing a day, they also don’t engage as fully socially with friendships. If there is a case where a child is having separation anxiety or some other issue, the director will meet with the parent and if they decide to skip one day a week, they will agree on a consistent day to skip every week.
Does the school stress academic-type subjects?
The school is a developmental preschool and uses various play activities to foster learning. The children are all at various stages of being able to write their names and recognize letters and numbers. Some of the games and activities involve letters and numbers, but there is no pressure to memorize them.
Do you offer enrichment activities?
Circle activities involve music and songs and occasionally instruments. We also welcome visits from Sulphur Creek Nature Center, the dentist, and musical talents from both inside and outside the school. Parents are also invited to contribute by demonstrating instruments, teaching the children about a country they are familiar with, or by bringing in the family pet for Pet week. Our field trips take us to the pumpkin patch, the fire department, Crab Cove beach, and the local park where we have our annual Teddy Bear Picnic.
How does the school handle conflict resolution?
When children get into a conflict situation, we bring the children together and encourage them to talk about the problem and describe their feelings. Adults describe the problem in a non-judgmental way and ask the children for their ideas on solving the issue. If two children are struggling over the same toy, we ask who had it first and then ask if the other child may have a turn when the first one is finished. We encourage children to use their words and speak up for themselves.