Is my child ready for the Orchard Preschool?

 

Age

All Orchard School programs are open to children aged 30 months to 5 years.

  • Children may start attending FCS on the day they turn 30 months old.

  • Children may attend up until the day before they turn six. Children must withdraw from FCS on their sixth birthday.

Attending Multiple Preschools

The Orchard Preschool DOES allow students to enroll in other preschools concurrent to their enrollment in the Orchard Preschool.

Diapers and Potty Training

Children attending any FCS program do not need to be potty-trained and may still be in diapers. Parents will provide diapers and pullups for their children.

Please let us know when you are ready to begin potty training so we can be consistent with the methods you are using at home. We recommend that children know their bodies well enough to use the toilet while at school. Consistency and repetition will yield the quickest and best results.

While Potty-training:

  • Be prepared for frequent accidents as your child adjusts to their new routine.

  • Children may wear pull-ups as long as they pull apart at the hip and are easy to remove.

  • As they master potty training and have occasional accidents, children may progress to wearing underpants. Please send extra underwear during this time.

  • The training routine you use should be simple and replicable so your child can follow the same procedure while at school.

A lot can happen when they are ready, and they may surprise you!

Naps

Our Afternoon Program offers naps to children whose parents request this for their child. Parents will provide a blanket, and pillow, which FCS will send home weekly for cleaning. FCS provides napping mats, however we welcome parents to bring alternatives.

Full Day or Half Day?

We are currently accepting applications for all Orchard Preschool Half-Day Programs.

  • Summer & School Year Morning only: 3/4/5 days available

  • Summer & School Year Afternoon only: 3/4/5 days available

  • Summer Full Day - Morning Preschool at FCS 9 am to 1 pm/Afternoon Care at Tara’s Tots Songbirds 1 pm to 5 pm: 3/4/5 days - register per week

  • School Year Full Day - Morning Preschool at FCS 9 am to 1 pm/Afternoon Care at Tara’s Tots Songbirds 1 pm to 5 pm: 3/4/5 days - currently enrolling

Remember! We stay outside for the entirety of the program. Dressing appropriately for the weather is of the utmost importance when attending FCS, especially for children at school all day.

Visit our Pinterest page to see our favorite gear!

When to Start?

All applications received after the deadline for the 22-23 school year programs at the Orchard School are automatically placed on the waitlist. We will reach out to you if there is an opening available that meets your care needs.

The 24-25 new applicant admission deadline is Monday, January 15th, 2024.

Make sure to note your preferred start date on your child’s application!