So mANY QUESTIONS!
My child is too old for the class, can I still sign them up?
YES! I have to set some parameters for an age range. However, I have many kids who are "too old" who still want to come back! Please keep in mind that projects are still geared slightly to younger kids. So curriculum and general feel of the environment will be appropriate for the age listed. Some kids do not like being the oldest in the class, some love it! Talk to your child and see how they might feel. A good option is to bring a friend—that guarantees another child their age! My one rule is that they must be appropriate and kind to the younger children.
My child is too young for the class, can I still sign them up?
For preschool classes they need to be four. I have occasionally allowed in children who are almost 4. My absolute requirement is they must be completely independent. This includes toileting, cutting, gluing, writing their name, etc. Of course, I am here to help them! But they need to be able to do most things themselves. Most importantly they need to be able to focus for 2 hours. We do take a snack break but it is a lot of sitting! Please use your judgment, you know your child best! Send me an email if you think your child is a good fit and I can give you the “OK!” on a trial basis. We will refund your money for the remaining weeks of the class if I feel the child is not a good fit yet.
For my summer camps and after school classes my requirement is that they are currently in or have completed kindergarten. So in the fall, a kindergartner is welcome to come to an after school class. But I cannot take summer campers who have not yet completed kindergarten. The projects are geared towards older kids and the schedule is too demanding for their bodies that aren't used to it. It ends up being too long of a week for all of us!
Can parents stay?
No, sorry! Having parents in the room completely changes the tone of the environment. I know that some kids feel anxious and prefer a parent to be with them until they feel comfortable. I kindly ask that you say goodbye at the door and let them come in alone. I have been teaching for 15 years and I have NEVER had a child who didn’t warm up within 10 minutes! I promise that I will do my best to make this a comfortable and fun experience! Please note this also applies to preschool classes. These are NOT mommy and me style.
Do you provide a snack?
For my preschool classes, summer camps and workshops I do!
For after school classes I do NOT. But please feel free to send them with one!
I do ask that you send in a water bottle.
We do not have a drinking fountain—I just pour them drinks from a pitcher into a cup. This often causes spills on our lovely artwork! So water bottles are ideal! The snacks I provide are peanut/nut free. We do our best to check all labels. Typically, snack will be pretzels, popcorn, goldfish or animal crackers. You are more than welcome to send in your own snack if you prefer!
Will projects be different for each class?
Yes and No. I plan different things as much as possible. I have some kiddos who have come to every Tuesday night class for the past 3 years, I will say I am sure they occasionally repeat projects! I try my best but I cannot promise with complete certainty. With that said, for the most part, yes they will do many different things!
On the other hand, the theme camps such as Glitter Camp, Travel the World Camp, etc. will have mostly the same projects each year.
What should my child wear?
Please send your kids in clothes that can get messy! I do have art shirts but it is the child's responsibility to remember to put them on. I assume what they are wearing is appropriate for art class :) For the most part we rarely use staining paints. When we do, I try to alert them in advance.
Pick up/Drop off
Summer camp pick up and drop off will be at the front of the building each day. School year classes come directly to the classroom. Please be prompt. I almost always have back to back classes and needed every minute in between to prepare, clean up, take a breath, etc.
YES! I have to set some parameters for an age range. However, I have many kids who are "too old" who still want to come back! Please keep in mind that projects are still geared slightly to younger kids. So curriculum and general feel of the environment will be appropriate for the age listed. Some kids do not like being the oldest in the class, some love it! Talk to your child and see how they might feel. A good option is to bring a friend—that guarantees another child their age! My one rule is that they must be appropriate and kind to the younger children.
My child is too young for the class, can I still sign them up?
For preschool classes they need to be four. I have occasionally allowed in children who are almost 4. My absolute requirement is they must be completely independent. This includes toileting, cutting, gluing, writing their name, etc. Of course, I am here to help them! But they need to be able to do most things themselves. Most importantly they need to be able to focus for 2 hours. We do take a snack break but it is a lot of sitting! Please use your judgment, you know your child best! Send me an email if you think your child is a good fit and I can give you the “OK!” on a trial basis. We will refund your money for the remaining weeks of the class if I feel the child is not a good fit yet.
For my summer camps and after school classes my requirement is that they are currently in or have completed kindergarten. So in the fall, a kindergartner is welcome to come to an after school class. But I cannot take summer campers who have not yet completed kindergarten. The projects are geared towards older kids and the schedule is too demanding for their bodies that aren't used to it. It ends up being too long of a week for all of us!
Can parents stay?
No, sorry! Having parents in the room completely changes the tone of the environment. I know that some kids feel anxious and prefer a parent to be with them until they feel comfortable. I kindly ask that you say goodbye at the door and let them come in alone. I have been teaching for 15 years and I have NEVER had a child who didn’t warm up within 10 minutes! I promise that I will do my best to make this a comfortable and fun experience! Please note this also applies to preschool classes. These are NOT mommy and me style.
Do you provide a snack?
For my preschool classes, summer camps and workshops I do!
For after school classes I do NOT. But please feel free to send them with one!
I do ask that you send in a water bottle.
We do not have a drinking fountain—I just pour them drinks from a pitcher into a cup. This often causes spills on our lovely artwork! So water bottles are ideal! The snacks I provide are peanut/nut free. We do our best to check all labels. Typically, snack will be pretzels, popcorn, goldfish or animal crackers. You are more than welcome to send in your own snack if you prefer!
Will projects be different for each class?
Yes and No. I plan different things as much as possible. I have some kiddos who have come to every Tuesday night class for the past 3 years, I will say I am sure they occasionally repeat projects! I try my best but I cannot promise with complete certainty. With that said, for the most part, yes they will do many different things!
On the other hand, the theme camps such as Glitter Camp, Travel the World Camp, etc. will have mostly the same projects each year.
What should my child wear?
Please send your kids in clothes that can get messy! I do have art shirts but it is the child's responsibility to remember to put them on. I assume what they are wearing is appropriate for art class :) For the most part we rarely use staining paints. When we do, I try to alert them in advance.
Pick up/Drop off
Summer camp pick up and drop off will be at the front of the building each day. School year classes come directly to the classroom. Please be prompt. I almost always have back to back classes and needed every minute in between to prepare, clean up, take a breath, etc.