FAQsAnswers to Your Questions: Everything You Need to Know
General FAQs
Every child should bring:
- Socks. We are a shoe-free facility, so socks are required at all times.
- A water bottle
For diapered children, please bring:
- Diapers or pull-ups
- Wipes
- A labeled sippy cup
- A spare change of clothes
Storage cubbies are available for shoes, jackets, and other belongings. And don’t forget to label all of your child’s items!
Forgot something? No worries! We have diapers, socks, snacks, and water cups available for purchase, so you can drop in anytime, even if you forgot something.
Yes! It’s really that easy. At Kids Garden, we’re here for those moments when you need time to run errands, focus on work, or take a break.
Our center provides a safe, engaging, and creative environment where your children can learn, explore, and play. Drop them off with confidence and return to happy, inspired kids.
Comfortable clothing that can get messy! They’ll be learning through sensory activities, arts, and organized crafts that may involve anything from paints and glue to sand and mud. While they’re sure to have fun, there’s no guarantee their clothes will remain clean, so please dress them accordingly.
We serve balanced, nutritious meals and snacks every day at Kids Garden. We do not permit outside food. Healthy (organic when possible) meals of sandwiches, fruits, veggies, and whole grains are available daily for a small fee. If your child has dietary needs or restrictions, please speak with a team member.
For safety and health reasons, we do not allow any outside toys or food. Small children may bring a soft blanket or other small comfort item, but we ask that you leave all other possessions at home or in a storage cubby in our welcome area.
Kids Garden has dedicated extensive research to sourcing the best, non-toxic toys and products for our eco-friendly center. Our play space is a time for discovery, and we encourage children to engage in new activities and experience natural materials.
Art Classes/After School FAQs
Our art class curriculum is geared for children ages 3 and up. If your child is under the age of 4, they can still drop in! We always have differentiated learning opportunities for children of any age during our Art Lab & Studio Programs.
No material fee is required! Just come prepared to get messy, create, and explore new activities.
Children explore painting, drawing, sculpture, STEAM, recycled and eco art, and more. Everything is designed to inspire imagination, build artistic skills, and encourage self‑expression. Depending on the session, projects may combine guided instruction with open‑ended creative time to nurture technique and individual ideas.
Yes! Children usually bring home many of their creations. Art classes focus on meaningful projects that help kids grow creatively and proudly share their work with family.
We invite children to explore materials and themes in a playful but supportive setting. Our educators introduce new techniques while allowing space for personal expression. There’s no “right” way to be creative, and we encourage experimentation and curiosity as part of the learning process.
Kids enjoy a mix of activities tailored to their interests and developmental needs:
- Art labs and studio time
- Snack and play time
- Games, movement, and social play
- Outdoor time
Our after‑school program is meant to be flexible! Sessions like the structured art and STEAM labs are often scheduled for a multi‑hour block (for example, 3:30–5:30 pm), but drop‑in times are also available in four-hour blocks.
Careers FAQs
The qualifications vary by location, but generally, you will need a high school diploma or equivalent. A college degree is required for some positions, but many teachers begin working with us while they are still attending college. We require additional certifications like CPR + first aid training, and a background check.
Teachers are responsible for supervising and caring for children, including teaching, facilitating, feeding, and changing diapers. Our Kids Garden team has extensive training to help a new Kids Garden employee. Our teachers also organize activities, help children with stations/work, and ensure the safety of all children in their care.
Yes, there are opportunities for advancement in the education field with Kids Garden. With additional education and experience, you can advance to roles such as lead teacher, assistant director, or director of a Kids Garden center.
Working in a creative arts learning center can be rewarding but also challenging. It requires patience, empathy, and a genuine love for working with children. If you enjoy helping children learn and grow and are passionate about making a difference in their lives, a career in a learning center could be right for you.
Daycare & Drop-In Childcare FAQs
Our drop-in childcare is designed for flexibility. Once your family is registered, you can bring your child in whenever you need care, no contracts or set schedules required! We recommend calling ahead during peak hours or preschool times, as space is limited and spots fill quickly.
Hours may vary by location, but most Kids Garden centers are open Monday through Friday with extended hours to support working families. Please check your local booking page for exact times.
Children can stay for as little as one hour or for the full four-hour slot, depending on your needs and our availability. We offer flexible hourly rates and prepaid packages to help you create a plan that works for your family.
We welcome children ages 12 months (and walking) through age 12 for a variety of programs:
- Toddler drop-in care is available for children 12 months to 3 years old
- Drop-in services for ages 3 to 12, including creative play and enrichment activities
- Preschool programs are designed for children ages 3 to 5
- Seasonal camps, art classes, and after-school programs are available for ages 3 to 12, with children grouped by age
At Kids Garden, your child’s day is filled with hands-on learning, creative play, and guided exploration! Depending on the time of day, they may participate in arts and crafts, sensory stations, story time, enrichment classes, or free play in our indoor or outdoor areas.
Absolutely! At Kids Garden, children enjoy a balance of indoor and outdoor time year-round. Our holistic approach to early childhood education includes creative play, hands-on learning, and age-appropriate exploration in both environments.
No, potty training is not required. We welcome children at all stages of development and will work with your child based on their individual needs. Please be sure to pack diapers, wipes, and a change of clothes if your child is not yet potty-trained.
Packages & Pricing FAQs
Yes! Kids Garden provides a sibling discount when a family brings both children to the center together. If you choose to become a member, both children will receive discounted hourly rates and access to discounted hourly packages.
A Kids Garden membership unlocks exclusive perks designed for families who plan to visit regularly. Membership includes:
- Access to our lowest hourly rates
- Discounted pricing on seasonal camps, birthday parties, and special events
- Eligibility for members-only programs and preschool packages
Memberships are valid for 12 months from the date of purchase and require a non-refundable annual fee. It's a flexible, cost-saving option that gives your family priority access to our most popular offerings.
We offer flexible solutions while maintaining the quality and consistency of our programs.
- Preschool Packages: Prepaid monthly preschool packages are non-refundable. However, if your child misses a day due to illness or another unexpected absence, we offer makeup days within your current preschool plan whenever possible.
- After-School Packages: Prepaid after-school packages are also non-refundable, as we plan staffing and supplies based on minimum enrollment requirements. This allows us to keep our fees modest and our programming consistent.
- Unexpected Closures: In the event of widespread school closures, we will issue a credit for another Junior Explorers day.
We’re always happy to talk through your options.
No package is required. Our discounted monthly preschool packages are ideal for families who attend regularly, but you’re always welcome to drop in when it works for you.
When you drop off your child at Kids Garden, they’ll join our ongoing programs depending on the time of day. Please note that we occasionally reach capacity, so to guarantee a spot, we recommend calling ahead to make a reservation.
Yes! You can purchase gift certificates from your local Kids Garden location.
Parents' Night Out FAQs
During Parents' Night Out, children participate in games, crafts, and other age-appropriate activities, all under the supervision of our trained staff. It provides parents with the opportunity to drop off their children for a few hours and enjoy a night out or some free time.
Unfortunately, PNO is offered once a month. This gives our teachers a break and ensures that our one late night is packed full of activities and games. Be sure to reserve your spots as spaces fill up quickly!
Yes! Members, non-members, and new families can register and join our PNO. Payment is required to reserve a spot and must be done either in person or online here.
This depends on the location. For younger children, please be mindful of their bedtime and sleeping needs. This night is about fun, vibrant energy, and is not always suitable for young toddlers ready for bed at 7 pm.
Our center schedules teachers, prepares activities, and orders food according to our reservations, so there are no refunds if you can’t make it. If you realize shortly after booking that you need to reschedule, please contact us immediately, and we will do our best to credit you for another PNO date. Because we have to turn families away due to capacity, we can not make changes the week of your scheduled PNO.
Yes! You are more than welcome to leave your children for longer than the 3 hours. The extra time can be paid for at pick up, or you can use hours from prepaid packages. Parents’ Night Out lasts from 4 pm to 9 pm.
Parties FAQs
How much are your party rentals? Costs vary depending on how many children will be attending the party. Pricing for our birthday parties can be found here.
At Kids Garden, we aim to keep things as easy as possible for parents. Our team will set up, clean up, and break down. We do not allow a ton of outside decorations at our center, as we want to keep a simple, calm, fun environment. We provide activities, crafts, games, and more to go along with most birthday themes, so rest assured, we’ve got you covered!
Please plan to arrive 15 minutes early for your party. This gives you time to get settled before guests arrive.
To respect the staff cleaning the center and setting up for the next party, we ask that you depart within 15 minutes of the scheduled time. Thank you for helping us keep everything running smoothly!
Yes, a non-refundable deposit is required to reserve your party date and time. This deposit will be applied to your total party package cost at the time of final payment. You can view availability and book your party through our online calendar.
Preschool FAQs
Yes, you can choose the days that work best for your family. For example, if your child will be attending another school on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings, she could join the Montessori-based activities at Kids Garden on Tuesdays and Thursdays. You are also welcome to drop in to preschool. We recommend reservations to secure your child’s learning spot!
Our preschool program is designed for children ages 2-5. Preschool packages are not sold to children under the age of 2, but one-year-olds are still welcome to join our facility at normal hourly rates. Due to teacher-to-child ratios and our curriculum during preschool, we encourage families to make reservations for infants.
Absolutely. We ask several questions on our enrollment form to help us get to know your child and accommodate his or her learning style and social needs. Your answers are kept confidential and are used solely to assist our teachers in providing a more enriching and nurturing experience.
Yes! Kids Garden is often open when public schools are closed. On these days, we offer special schools-out camps instead of preschool. No extra payments are required for parents who have prepaid for monthly preschool.
If you choose not to bring your preschooler on a big camp day, you can notify our staff ahead of time and schedule a makeup day instead. On the few holidays when we are closed, you will get a credit for a makeup day if the holiday falls on a weekday when your child would otherwise be at Kids Garden Preschool.
Safety & Security FAQs
Only individuals you've authorized during registration may pick up your child. They'll need to show a valid photo ID and provide your family’s unique code word at the time of pickup. If someone new is picking up, please let us know at drop-off. For safety, any adult not in our system must have written approval from a custodial parent or legal guardian before they can be allowed to leave with your child.
Families sign up for certain programs in advance, which helps us plan for supplies and maintain the required teacher-to-child ratios set by state regulations. Our staffing is scheduled accordingly to ensure children are supervised and supported at all times.
Yes, all staff members are trained in early childhood education, CPR, first aid, and state safety regulations. This ensures your child’s emotional and physical well-being is supported throughout their time with us.
All Kids Garden buildings have secure entry, and our staff is trained in first aid and emergency response. Our staff-to-child ratios meet or exceed state requirements, and regular safety drills are conducted.
To help prevent the spread of illness, we ask that you keep your child home if they’re experiencing any cold or flu-like symptoms. Please wait at least 24 hours after symptoms have resolved before returning to Kids Garden. This helps us maintain a healthy environment for everyone!
To help prevent the spread of illness, we ask that you keep your child home if they’re experiencing any cold or flu-like symptoms. Please wait at least 24 hours after symptoms have resolved before returning to Kids Garden. This helps us maintain a healthy environment for everyone!
Seasonal Camps FAQs
Children ages three and up can register and sign up for our Summer and Seasonal Camps. Our educational theories, curriculum, and activities incorporate experiential learning, hands-on activities, and exploration centered around school-age kids.
Kids Garden is a drop-in creative arts learning center, and we always keep drop-in spaces, but even those fill up! During busy times of the year, including summer and when schools are out, we encourage reservations to secure your child’s spot. Each center has a capacity limit, and it can be reached. There may be times we will have to ask your child to return at another hour. If you know you need care, please plan ahead with a reservation. Please note that we charge a no-call no-show fee.
We also value movement and activity! We understand the importance and benefits of incorporating movement, play, and breaks alongside creative work. During our camp days and weeks, we take movement breaks, have unstructured playtime, playset time and dance parties!
Absolutely! You can make the camps a full day by registering your child for both a morning and afternoon camp in the same week. We recommend adding prepaid dollars to your account for extra snacks and hours. While we're thrilled to offer this opportunity, it's important to consider if your child is a motivated artist/camper who will enjoy a full day of camps. This might not be the best fit for every child, and you know your child best!
Kids Garden provides a snack and lunch during camp. We ask all campers to bring a labeled water bottle and to wear socks inside the center. Please label your child's items and leave any other items in our front cubbies.
Camps are focused on educational, creative, and exploratory learning through hands-on activities. They include experiential learning, movement breaks, unstructured playtime, and outdoor play time.
About Kids Garden
Take a Tour of Our Learning CenterCreativity Is At the Heart Of Our Center & Everything We Do
Seeing is believing, and we invite you to witness firsthand the magic of Kids Garden. Book a tour today, explore our facilities, meet our dedicated team, and learn more about our programs. Join us at Kids Garden, where every day is an opportunity for your child to thrive, create, and discover. Let's nurture their potential together, one playful moment at a time.
We've Got You! Hear From parents who have found peace of mind in the garden
