Enrollment

For information on current openings please contact the Children's Center at (978) 369-3747 or email us at office@concordchildrenscenter.org.

Procedures

The Concord Children's Center encourages interested families to visit the Center with their child to meet with the program director and see the facilities. Enrollment at the Center is based on the entire school year, September through June. Occasionally children are enrolled during the year as space is available. Applications for September enrollment for new families are accepted after the January Open House. Continuing families submit applications in February. Acceptances are mailed to all families in March. Enrollment fees are due back to the Center early-April. Priority for enrollment is given to 1) current enrollees, 2) siblings of current or former enrollees, 3) new families who live and or work in Concord, and then applicants whose schedule requests fit the available openings. Summer enrollment takes place in April.

The Concord Children's Center does not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, sexual preference, religious beliefs, cultural heritage, politics, handicap or marital status in the administration of its admission policies, educational policies, tuition assistance programs, or its employment practices.

Individual Schedules

The Concord Children's Center offers a very flexible schedule to meet the variety of family needs. Parents may choose a schedule which varies between 3 to 5 days a week; however, hours must be the same week to week. Each family should work out their schedule with their Program Director. There is special enrollment policy in the 4/5 classes of 4 mornings minimum. All preschool children should be at school by 9:00 AM.

Our flexibility in changing schedules is limited. If a change of schedule is necessary for you, we will try to accommodate you if possible. Any changes of schedule must be discussed with the Program Director. If you wish to increase your child's schedule, and space is available, we will do it immediately. If you wish to reduce your child's schedule in any way, they must first speak to the Program Director. Once you have paid your enrollment fee to hold your child's placement, you will be responsible for the tuition for the first three months of the school year. Any schedule restrictions after September 1st are only considered for extraordinary circumstances. We do not refund for absences or sickness. It is not possible to substitute one day for another in case of absences.

Vacation Weeks

The three public school vacation weeks in December, February and April are not included in the regular school year. If you wish to have your child attend, you should sign up on a sheet which will be posted 6 weeks in advance of the vacation week. There are no cancellations since classrooms are staffed according to the number of children signed up in advance for the vacation weeks. Late additions may be done on a space available basis.

Tuition and Fees

Tuition is due on the 20th of each month for the following month. Tuition bills will be placed in your mailboxes the week preceding the 20th of the month. You will be charged a late fee if your payment is not in our office on the last day of the month in which it is due. The case of any family who has an outstanding balance of more than 30 days will be brought before the Administrative Team. That family will then meet with the Director, and a payment plan will be agreed upon. Parents with outstanding balances of more than two months will not have their applications considered for the summer program or for placement in the Fall.

Enrollment in the Center is based on the entire school year from September through June. Withdrawal during this time will result in the loss of your enrollment fee. Also you will be responsible for an additional month's tuition unless we are able to fill the space left vacant.

There is a separate tuition sheet explaining how your monthly tuition is reached. Please contact the Program Director if you have any questions. We are able to offer some tuition assistance through a grant from the Concord-Carlisle Community Chest. Any family who thinks they may qualify should contact in person or by phone the Executive Director or their Program Director.

Your monthly tuition amount does not include the three Concord Public School Vacation weeks in Dec., Feb., or April. These weeks are optional and will be billed at a separate hourly rate; please see the Tuition Schedule and Fees sheet.

At times families need additional hours. Any requests for extra hours, whether for early arrival or later pickup must be made in writing on the pink form and approved by the Program Director at least one day in advance. The additional tuition will be added to your next tuition bill. Extra hours are billed in 1/2 hour increments.

It is the responsibility of every parent to pick up their child by the time they have scheduled as we have staffed according to individual schedules to maintain our teacher/child ratios; however, we know that sometimes people are late. If you absolutely must be late, please call and let us know, so we can tell the teachers and your child. You will be billed for the additional time. If it becomes apparent that a later departure time is needed, a change in your permanent schedule may be requested by the program director, providing space is available. It is also important that children do not arrive before their scheduled time in the morning.