We update the list of FAQs below to address as many of your questions as possible. If your specific question is not answered below, please email us at heather.thefirstschool@yahoo.com
• What are your hours of operation?
• What is your teacher/child ratio?
• What are your vacation days and holidays?
• Do you have a summer program?
• What are your application fees?
• Does my child have to be toilet trained?
• How do you help my child adjust to his first school experience?
• What is your sick child policy?
• Do you offer parent workshops and host events?
• How do parents receive school information?
• What kind of communication do teachers provide with regard to my child’s progress?
• Are you teachers CPR trained?
• Are Caregivers allowed to attend toddler groups?
• How can I find out more about your school?
• What are your hours of Operation?
Our 1st year campus (Ocean Park) for our 2 year, 9 month old – 4 year old children offers two programs. Morning Program is from 9:00am – 12:00pm and Afternoon Program is 1:00pm – 4:00pm. For those students who are ready for a longer school day, we offer an extended day morning program. Morning children may opt to stay until 2:00pm Monday – Thursday. Extended hours depend upon available space and require an additional fee payment.
Our 2nd year campus (Broadway) for our 4 – 5 year old children continues with the same hours for Morning and Afternoon Program. For those students who are ready for a longer school day, we offer an extended day program for both morning and afternoon school students. Morning children may opt to stay until 2:30pm Monday through Thursday and Afternoon children can start at 12:00pm Monday through Thursday. Extended hours depend upon available space and require an additional fee payment.
Our Pre-K campus (Pine St.) for our 5-6 year olds is Monday – Thursday, 9:00am-2:30pm and Friday 9:00am – 12:00pm. For those students who are ready for a longer school day, we offer an extended day program until 4:00pm Monday through Thursday. Extended hours require an additional payment.
• What is your teacher/child ratio?
There are no more than 14 children per group at our Ocean Park and Broadway campuses. There is 1 teacher for every 7 students. For our Pre-K program there is 1 teacher for every 10 children.
• What are your vacation days and holidays?
We generally follow all Santa Monica Unified School District designated holidays, and we close two weeks for Winter Break and Spring Break, and about two months for Summer Break. Summer session is offered for approximately 6 weeks during July and August at an additional fee. There are also two special days set aside during the year for parent/teacher conferences. All these dates, along with planned school events, will be posted on a calendar which will be given to you during the first couple weeks of school.
• Do you have a summer program?
We offer an optional summer program at each site. Summer session is offered for approximately 6 weeks during July and August at an additional fee.
• What are your application fees?
There is a one time, non-refundable fee of $75.00 for each child to be included with your application.
• What are your tuition fees?
Ocean Park Campus – Morning Program, Monday through Friday, 9am to 12 noon; Tuition $950/month. Afternoon Program, Monday through Thursday, 1pm to 4pm; Tuition $800/month. Extended Day Program is offered for an additional fee.
Broadway Campus – Morning Program, Monday through Friday, 9am to 12 noon; Tuition $950/month. Afternoon Program, Monday through Thursday, 1pm to 4pm; Tuition $800/month. Extended Day Program is offered for an additional fee.
Pre-K Campus – Monday through Thursday 9:00am – 2:30pm and Friday 9:00am – 12:30pm; Tuition is $1,150/month. Extended Day Program is offered for an additional fee.
For all programs there will be no refunds nor can a child make up missed days.
• Do you offer scholarships?
Yes. The First School Financial Aid Trust, a non-profit created in 1999, makes financial aid available to eligible students in all programs at The First School, from Toddler Class through Pre-K. Aid is awarded in amounts up to 98 percent of full tuition based upon assessed financial need. Additionally, the Trust generally makes funding available to eligible children during each year of their participation in programs at The First School, subject to continuing need as assessed each school year. For more information, please contact Irma Breakfield at Irma.tfsfat@yahoo.com.
• Do you do any fundraising?
In the spring we hold our annual fundraiser to benefit The First School Financial Aid Trust, a non-profit created in 1999. The event is completely run by parents eager to volunteer their time, effort and expertise. The fund is relatively unique among preschools. All the money raised goes exclusively towards aid for qualifying families. It has helped to make us a very special, inclusive community.
• Does my child have to be toilet trained?
No.
• How do you help my child adjust to his first school experience?
The First School considers separation a very important part of the preschool experience for both parents and children. We ask that parent or an important caregiver plan to be available for the first two weeks of school during this separation process. The teacher/child bond gradually begins to form in these first few weeks. Soon after your child starts school, your child’s teacher will arrange a convenient time to come to your home for a ten to fifteen minute visit. We find this brief visit to be a very useful part of the separation process because it helps your child understand that his or her teacher is a family friend.
• What is your sick child policy?
The health of children, as well as staff, is important to us so each child must arrive at school with no symptoms of illness. If your child should become ill while at school, you will be notified to come pick him or her up.
• Do you offer parent workshops and host events?
Yes. We offer a wide variety of excellent Parent Enrichment evenings throughout the school year with a variety of topics, many of which are supported by guest speakers. Topics include child safety, discipline, diversity, private and public elementary school choices. If you would like to hear about them, please email heather.thefirstschool@yahoo.com to be added to the distribution list.
• How do parents receive school information?
Notices containing upcoming activities are sent out weekly via email and are posted at each site. Newsletters highlighting various activities at each site are sent out throughout the school year.
• What kind of communication do teachers provide with regard to my child’s progress?
Our teachers are available for meetings with parents as needed throughout the year as issues come up for you. We ask that you please keep your teachers informed if there are issues at home that could affect your child at school (such as sibling rivalry, a new baby, an impending move, parental stress with work or family, etc.) The teachers can provide some great insight into how to handle certain situations, and make a plan to best meet your child’s needs. In addition to informal meetings needed, there are two formal conferences each year, one in the fall and one in the spring. Here the teachers for your child’s group provide one-on-one time to go over a written evaluation documenting the child’s small and large motor skills, social skills, writing, reading comprehension, speech, and much more. You may also request additional meetings with the teacher or school director as needed.
• Are you teachers CPR trained?
Every year, all staff members are required to successfully complete CPT/First Aid Training at the Red Cross.
• Are Caregivers allowed to attend toddler groups?
We want to get to know the parents of each of our preschool children so we encourage parents to attend whenever possible. However, caregivers are welcomed and considered part of the First School family.
• How can I find out more about your school?
The easiest and best way for you to find out all about The First School is to come to a tour. Tours are scheduled once a month. To schedule a tour please call (310) 450-5022 and take a look at our Admissions Page for more information.