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.
I am looking for places to enroll my infant starting next fall, and I was wondering what your policy is on diapers and breast milk. Are cloth diapers acceptable? Also, what do the children eat at your facility? Do you provide food, or do we?
Thank you very much, and I look forward to hearing from you.
Hi, Geri. Good questions!
Regarding diapers, we use disposable diapers during the day, but children who use cloth diapers at home can arrive at the center in one and go home in a cloth diaper.
You can read about our handling of breastmilk in our Purple Page on infant feeding, available here: http://www.gretchenshouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/InfantFeedingPP.pdf
Our menus are posted here: http://www.gretchenshouse.com/information-for-parents/menus/
(You can reach this page from the pull-down “Parents” menu above.)
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
I was wondering if you take toddlers for only one day a week? I’m a stay at home Mom but am looking for a break once a week and a chance for my daughter to have time with other adults and children her own age to socialize.
If so, how much do you charge for one day?
Thank you
Justine Richey
Hi, Justine.
Thanks for your interest. Based on our experiences, we ask that children attend Gretchen’s House a minimum of two days/week. If a child attends less often, the transition process can be more difficult because the days are too far apart for young children to be able to establish it as “routine.” Our minimum of two days not only allows more time for the child to become comfortable with their new surroundings and form new friendships in the classroom, but also allows adequate time for teachers to get to know him/her. The cost of toddler care for two days/week is currently $709/month, which includes breakfast, lunch, two snacks per day and diapers.
Michele Davis
Human Resources Director
Do you offer any half-day programs, e.g. mornings or afternoons five days per week? I’m most interested in the Mt. Pleasant and Stadium locations, but I’d be interested to know whether you offer them at any of your locations.
Thanks!
Hi, Steve.
Thanks for asking. We currently have half-day programs for preschoolers at Mt. Vernon, Traver, and Oak Valley. If you would like more info about any of our centers or other programs, please contact our Family Services Coordinator at info@gretchenshouse.com.
What is the age range for your toddler program versus your preschool program? Do you have one preschool program, and several, depending on age? (I saw the three active interest forms on the preschool page, and am wondering what the general age of preschool students is at Gretchen’s House). Also, I am a teacher, and am wondering if there is the ability to “take summers off,” or if enrollment and tuition must continue through the summer months. Thanks!
Hi, Karen.
Thanks for your interest.
Generally, our toddler programs are for children from 12-15 months to 30-36 months old. Our preschool programs are for children ages 30-36 months up through 5 years old. When children transition to preschool depends on a number of factors: individual development, the ages of other children in the group, and the availability of space. It might not make sense for a 30 month old child to start in a toddler room and have another transition to preschool a few months later, but a child whose never been in group care and/or who has other “tumult” in his life might benefit from starting in the toddler program and making a slightly slower transition to preschool. The director at each center will be able to help you understand our reasoning and recommendations for your child’s individual situation. Your question was a little unclear — I think maybe you meant to ask if there are several toddler rooms? Some of our centers (Stadium, Oak Valley, Dhu Varren) have separate spaces for younger and older toddlers.
If you are interested in having summers off, you can sign a contract for the school year and another following the summer, based on availability. We usually can’t “hold a spot” open during the summer for a fall return, but often it works out that another spot will open up close to the time needed. Discussing this need/option with the director well in advance is a good plan.
Please contact us at the general line (734.761.2576) if you would like to arrange a tour and don’t know which location is ideal for you, or you may contact the director at any center that you know you would like to view.
- Hope Vestergaard
web editor
I’m wondering if Gretchenshouse opens year-round or follows Ann Arbor public school calendar? If it’s the latter, how is the monthly tuition adjusted to reflect the public school break?
Another question is,”is sibling discount or discount for certain employers available?”
Thank you!
Hi, Lorraine.
Thanks for the question. We are open year ’round. Some families do not need care during the summer so they make arrangements for that during the enrollment process. Families pay tuition for the weeks they contract care for, distributed evenly over the months you need care.
Employees of the Washtenaw Intermediate School District who enroll at our W.I.S.D. location pay a reduced rate. We don’t have a sibling discount for tuition but there is only one registration fee per family.
Hope Vestergaard
Web Editor