How enrollment works
- 01
Get in touch
Call 206-625-0842 or email lesa@pikemarketkids.org. Tell us your child's age and the days you need. Lesa is our contact for families and will talk through what is open and what tuition support looks like. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis with no deadline.
- 02
Tour the room
See the classroom your child would join and meet the teachers who run it. Watch how the room is set up and how the day moves. Ask about the routines, the meals, and the other children. Time in the room tells you more than any brochure.
- 03
Enroll and settle in
Complete enrollment and plan a first week that suits your child's routine. Children enroll year round as space is available, though most openings come in summer and fall. When you are matched, we contact you with a timeline to accept. After that, we plan settling-in together.
What to have ready
Most families fill out enrollment forms, a health form and immunization record, and a list of emergency contacts and people authorized to pick up. Bring these when you enroll so we have them before your child's first day. If anything changes later, tell the office so we can update your child's file.
Pack a full change of clothes, outdoor gear for the season, and nap items for children who rest here. A comfort object from home is welcome. Label everything with your child's name, including jackets, water bottles, and bags.
Before the first day, talk with us about how drop-off will go and who will pick your child up. Decide how you want to hear about the day, and we will match that. Knowing these small things ahead of time makes the first morning calmer for everyone.
The first weeks
The first days are usually shorter, and they build up as your child gets comfortable. A familiar object from home can help bridge the morning. A teacher greets your child by name at the door. You can stay a little longer if that helps, then step away when your child is engaged.
At pickup, teachers tell you what your child did, what they ate, and how they rested. They will also tell you what was hard, honestly and kindly. Most children settle within a few weeks, and some take longer. Either is normal.
Before you call
- Ages
- 4 months to 5 years
- Enrollment
- Open year-round
What families ask
What about tuition?
Ask about current rates when you call or tour. They depend on your child's age and schedule.
What ages do you take?
Children from 4 months to 5 years.
When can my child start?
Enrollment runs throughout the year. Call 206-625-0842 to ask about a place.
Can we visit before deciding?
Yes. A tour is how most families decide, and we encourage you to bring your child so they can see the classroom. Teachers are happy to answer questions while your child explores.
What should my child bring on the first day?
For a first day, pack a spare set of clothes, outdoor gear for the weather, and nap items if your child rests here. A comfort object from home helps. Label everything with your child's name.
How do you handle the first weeks?
Most children start with shorter days and build up as they get comfortable. A familiar object from home, like a small blanket or stuffed animal, can help during those first goodbyes. At pickup, teachers tell you what your child ate, how they napped, and one moment from their day.
What does a typical day include?
A day is built around arrival, play and learning, meals, rest, and time outside. At Pike Market Child Care & Preschool, children eat home-cooked whole foods daily. Pickup closes the day, with a word from your child's teacher.
How will I know how my child is doing?
Teachers tell you about the day at pickup and answer your questions then. If something comes up during the day, we reach out. You can always ask for more detail.
Do you offer part-time or flexible schedules?
Schedules depend on your child's age group and what is open right now. Call or email and ask what days are available for your child.
What if there is no place right now?
If your child's classroom is full, you can join our waiting pool for future openings. Ask us to note your child's age and your schedule so we can reach out when a place opens.
What should I ask on the tour?
Ask about the hours your child would attend, the meals, and who can pick up. Ask how the first weeks are handled and what a typical day looks like. Ask what tuition support you may qualify for. Write your questions down before the tour so nothing slips.
