Age of attendance
Children may attend from age 3 until starting Kindergarten.
Potty training
Potty-training should be well underway, but we do not expect children to not have occasional accidents. We use only cloth underwear at AlderWood. For more details, or advice on potty-training, feel free to ask.
What to bring to school
There’s nothing that needs to be hauled to school each day! A few items come with them their first day and stay at school.
Children are allowed to bring one small “home-toy” to school each day (it can be a comfort when transitioning into school and throughout the day, they can choose to share it or not share it, it goes home at the end of the day, no electronic toys allowed)
On a daily basis, we ask that NO bags or backpacks come to school (there’s nothing they need to bring, and our space is limited).
Clothing items
Children at AlderWood do lots of art and outside exploring, and will undoubtedly get dirty! Dirty clothes get washed at school and will eventually cycle back home.
Please label each article of clothing your child comes in! If unlabeled, clothing will likely get misplaced. Unlabeled clothes go in the lost-n-found.
We ask that children come to school in clothing appropriate for that day's weather. Rain-boots on rainy days, thick coats on cold days. Items cannot be stored at school (our entry space is small, and coming in what they need teaches preparedness)
Children must come dressed in items they can use on their own, no pants with buttons or zippers. Leggings or sweatpants are best.
Children must come in shoes they can put on and take off completely on their own.
Food
We provide morning snack, lunch, and afternoon snack. All food is additive free, fruit and vegetables are local and organic. We are happy to accommodate any food restrictions.
Drop-off/ Pick-up routine
At AlderWood we practice independent drop-offs. Our day is all about self-care and self-motivation, so we feel it's important for the day to start that way. Parents say goodbye on the front walkway, and children enter school on their own, through our one-of-a-kind child-sized door. There is always a teacher waiting to greet them and offer any assistance needed.
For pick-up, parents get the attention of a teacher by waving in a window (knocking or ringing the doorbell if needed). A teacher will look out of the window to identify the parent, help the child collect their things, and send them out. The teacher will again look of out the window to make sure the child is received!
Enrollment cost
The first month's tuition will include a $200 enrollment/materials fee. If reserving a spot for the future, a $200 nonrefundable deposit is required which serves as the enrollment/materials fee.
Yearly closures
We are closed:
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents Day, Memorial Day, Labor Day
Last 2 weeks of March, for Spring Break
First 2 weeks of July, for Summer Break
Thanksgivings Day
Last 2 weeks of December, for Winter Break
Schedule change or enrollment cancellation
A 30 day notice is required for enrollment cancelation. Extra days or schedule changes are allowed if possible.
Illness
Children should not be brought to school if they exhibit any signs of illness. Including, but not limited to: a fever of 100, cough, sore throat, lethargy, red or itchy eyes, itchy scalp, rash.
Children must be fever free without medication for at least 24 hours before coming to school.
If you have any concern of illness at all, you must contact the director before coming to school.
If a child becomes unwell and needs to be picked up, a parent will be contacted, and we trust that every effort will be made to come as soon as possible.
Family vacations
There are NO tuition credits for days missed due to illness, vacations, holidays, etc. An annual schedule of closures is available to use in planning your family’s personal schedules. We ask that you notify us of your vacation schedules as early as possible.
Extreme weather
In the event of inclement weather, AlderWood will follow the closures of Portland Public Schools, unless remaining open is determined safe and feasible, in either case parents will be notified by email.