FAQ - Orchard

What age does Orchard Serve?

  • 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.

Would my child be able to attend other school?

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

Does my child need to be potty trained?

  • 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!

Would my child be able to take a nap at Orchard?

  • 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.

How should I dress my child for school?

  • 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!

What is the application like?

  • You can refer to our Forms Page that contains our application plus more forms that can be useful for families to reference.

What is the Rhythm of Day?

  • Waldorf believed children thrive with strong rhythms. Every day has a rhythm, as well as every week and throughout the year. You can refer to our Rhythm of Orchard page for more detailed information.

When would my child be able to start?

  • All applications received after the deadline for the 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!