Frequently Asked Questions
Is there really a Gretchen?
Yes, Virginia, there is! You can read all about her here.
How do I enroll?
Our enrollment page spells out this process, including tuition, contracts, waiting lists, and reserving a spot.
How do I know which Gretchen’s House if right for my child?
All our centers share curriculum and staff training requirements. Some parents choose a center based on personal preferences (small vs. large, or new vs. old); others choose a center close to home or work. If your preferred location does not have an opening when you need it, you may enroll at another center until space becomes available.
Are you hiring?
We are always on the lookout for enthusiastic, qualified staff! Please view our Employment Opportunities page before contacting us if you are interested in applying for a position.
Do you have an open-door policy?
Parents of currently enrolled children are always welcome to visit their child at the center. If a child is having transition issues, teachers work with parents plan visiting times that will enhance the transition rather than impede it. Parents of children who are interested in enrolling may schedule observation time with the center director. Parents of newly enrolled children may visit their child’s program with the child prior to the start date; this will also be scheduled with the center director for everyone’s convenience.
What makes Gretchen’s House different from the national childcare chains?
Our curriculum is engaging, developmentally appropriate, and individualized. Our centers are clean, beautiful, and home-like. Our programs and facilities demonstrate respect for and appreciation of the natural environment. And our staff are highly trained and fairly compensated, which means we have less staff turnover than less expensive centers, which often scrimp on compensation. Most families believe college is an important investment; we believe the early childhood years are even more critical for raising children who are confident, competent, and enthusiastic learners.
Do you conduct staff training for other centers?
Many of our staff present workshops at NAEYC affiliate and national conferences. We also provide customized on-site training on a variety of subjects. Contact Heidi McFadden for more information.
I have a question you haven’t answered.
Please ask your question in the comments section below and or email us and we will either direct you to the information you seek or answer the question here.
How much of a priority is diversity at Gretchen’s house? And by diversity I mean: racial, economic, physical ability, culture, religion and ethnicity. Do you offer any type of financial assistance so that parents of a lower economic means are able to afford the kind of quality childcare the Gretchen’s House offers?
Thanks for you answer.
Kenya Hunter
Program Coordinator
Peace Neighborhood Center – Satellite Centers
Hi, Kenya.
Gretchen’s House is very committed to diversity of all sorts…so much so that it occurs to me now that we haven’t taken time to highlight it in our materials. It’s very much a matter of business as usual for us, but your question makes me realize that we can do a better job of showing the community what we do to encourage diversity. Our executive editor will do a better job than I can explaining the specifics so you can expect a follow-up from her in this space soon.
Hope Vestergaard
web editor
Hello, Kenya.
When people speak of diversity, they often mean race or ethnicity – the attributes that are easily visible. You are correct, however, that there are many aspects to the topic of diversity that need to be recognized in order to provide an environment where similarities and differences are appreciated and celebrated.
The most important thing any adult can do to promote diversity is to maintain an attitude of respect and openness with all people. Our curriculum approach and program philosophy are based on mutual respect between children, parents and teachers.
We are fortunate to be located in communities where the population itself offers diversity. We have many families who have moved to our area from other countries, and they bring with them the traditions, foods, clothing, and habits of daily family living that enrich our smaller Gretchen’s House community. Of the hundreds of families we serve, some include mom, dad and a couple of children. Others are made up of grandparents raising children, or families with two moms or two dads. We value the partnership we have with all parents, and we promote open communication with families.
We address the issue of diversity on a very practical, concrete level because that is how children process ideas in the early years. We avoid the “tourist” approach to diversity, because that view often relies on stereotypes and gives children a false, often inaccurate view of another culture. In other words, you won’t see us doing “Mexico week” in our programs. As with any curriculum topic, children only learn from meaningful experiences that allow them to explore their interests at their own developmental level.
So instead, we invite families to share their traditions with us. This could mean a simple cooking project for a holiday, but it could also be as simple as bringing in empty food boxes to be used in the house area. We decorate our rooms with artwork families bring from other countries, and we make sure that our books, toys and other materials represent people of many races, genders or capabilities in a variety of roles. Our parent manual has been translated into several different languages, including Japanese, Mandarin, and Hindi. Our assessment tool is also available in a Spanish translation.
Our Teacher Support Coordinator provides resources to parents and teachers, as well as materials or adaptive equipment for children with special needs who are enrolled in our program. We participate with Champions for Children and Child Care Network to provide care for children who are receiving state or private scholarships to attend our programs.
Thanks so much for addressing this topic – it’s important for parents to know the many ways they can promote diversity with their children.
Heidi McFadden
Executive Director
How many toddler and preschool students do you have in each room?
Thanks,
Tatiane
Hi, Tatiane.
The number of children in each room depends on the space at each particular center. In most of our buildings, infants and toddlers are in groups of 8. In most of our buildings, preschool rooms have up to 24 children. You can read detailed descriptions of each program under the pulldown menus above: About Us/Child Care Programs/select the age you’re interested in.
If you have a question about a particular center, please feel free to call or email the director of that location.
Thanks for your interest!
Hello,
I am looking for cost of attendance for each of the schools. Thanks.
Hi, Stephanie.
Tuition information, as well as steps for enrollment, is included on this page: http://www.gretchenshouse.com/information-for-parents/policies/enrollment/
Look for this link: 2013 Fee Schedule
- Hope