FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
General Info
What are your hours?
We are open 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday.
What ages do you serve?
We enroll children who are 6 weeks through 5 years of age.
What holidays are you closed?
As a state licensed center we observe all federal holidays. There is no deduction in tuition for holidays.
Are you licensed?
Yes, we are a state licensed center, and we are accredited through Missouri Accreditation. Being licensed requires that we abide by strict sanitation and safety guidelines, along with health and program standards. We are frequently inspected by the state to ensure our facility meets the licensing regulations.
What is your caregiver to child ratio?
Infant Class: 1 adult to 4 infant/toddlers 2-3 year old class: 1 adult to 8 children 3-5 year old class: 1 adult to 10 children
When do children take naps?
We believe naps are an essential part of every child’s day. Infants sleep on demand. As infants grow and become toddlers, we will work with parents to establish a comfortable sleep routine. Twos and Preschoolers rest after lunch or they can sit quietly on their cots, reading a book or with a quiet activity!
What meals do you serve?
We serve breakfast, lunch, and afternoon snack. All food served is in compliance with the USDA’s Child and Adult Food Program. We serve more fresh fruits and vegetables, more whole grains, and less sugar, salt and processed foods. Many of our nutritious meals are handmade using organic, garden fresh fruits and vegetables. Formula and baby food are provided for infants. Milk is provided for toddlers and preschoolers.
What is your outdoor space like?
Peapod values the importance of the outdoors in the learning process. Children have several opportunities to be outside during the day. During this time, children are exposed to sensory, art, and free play activities, and have the opportunity to improve their gross motor skills.
What supplies do you provide?
At Peapod, we provide all food, formula, milk, and hypoallergenic wipes. Parents are responsible for diapers and/or pull-ups, diaper creams, extra change of clothing and nap bedding.
How do you handle discipline?
Peapod provides a safe and respectful environment for children through the integration of Conscious Discipline in the classroom. Conscious Discipline is a program that is based on positive teacher-student and student-student relationships. It allows children to take responsibility for their choices and the natural consequences of them. Our curriculum, Project Construct, focuses on social development as well. The staff at Peapod integrate these social skills into their daily activities.
Peapod staff will help students develop the conflict resolution skills needed to solve their own problems and disagreements. In an effort to help children grow in self-control, and self-esteem, teachers will set reasonable limits in the classroom.
Staff will be alert and acknowledge potential situations before they turn into a problem by redirecting the child. Teachers will help students reflect on their choices.
- Help children express and recognize their choices.
- Help children evaluate their actions, discuss alternatives, and think about the perspective of others.
- Help children learn to accept the natural consequences of their actions with teacher guidance and support.
What Is Your Tuition?
| CLASSROOM | FULL-TIME | PART TIME |
|---|---|---|
|
Seeds (0-24 months) |
$350.00/week |
$95.00/day |
|
Sprouts (24-36 months) |
$275.00/week |
$95.00/day |
|
Peapod Preschool – Not Potty Trained |
$275.00/week |
$95.00/day |
|
Peapod Preschool – Potty Trained |
$260.00/week |
$95.00/day |
|
Drop in/ Hourly Care/Evening or Weekend care |
$25.00 per hour, minimum 2 hours, subject to availability |
How do I register?
Fill out the information, and the director will contact you as soon as possible. We look forward to speaking with you and your child.
Curriculum & Activities
What is your educational philosophy?
At Peapod we are learning to play not playing to learn! We recognize and embrace each child as a unique individual. We create a child-directed learning experience where the child can construct his/her own knowledge through teacher guided interactions with their physical and social environments. Our safe and nurturing atmosphere encourages children to actively discover and explore the world around them. Peapod values the importance of family in the growth of each child.
What curriculum do you use?
We use Project Construct in the classroom as our curriculum. This is a developmentally appropriate curriculum that allows learners to construct their own knowledge through hands-on discovery of the world around them.
What type of activities do you do with the children?
To maximize learning and to reach all children, we provide a variety of learning environments at Peapod. There are opportunities for free and directed play, active and quiet time, large and small group activities and both indoor and outdoor experiences. Our daily schedule offers extended time for exploration and discovery in our learning centers and enrichment activities. These centers include age appropriate activities that focus on math, language, writing, art, science, sensory exploration, music, reading and drama. A designated time in the morning and afternoon is spent enjoying the outdoors.
When do children take naps?
We believe naps are an essential part of every child’s day. Infants sleep on demand. As infants grow and become toddlers, we will work with parents to establish a comfortable sleep routine. Twos and Preschoolers rest after lunch or they can sit quietly on their cots, reading a book or with a quiet activity!
What is your outdoor space like?
Peapod values the importance of the outdoors in the learning process. Children have several opportunities to be outside during the day. During this time, children are exposed to sensory, art, and free play activities, and have the opportunity to improve their gross motor skills.
What educational materials do you have available?
We provide a rich variety of developmentally appropriate materials, toys and games for the children. Our classroom is sure to peak the interest and curiosity of all our unique learners!
What type of extracurricular activities do you provide?
Peapod students are offered several options for enrichment activities and classes on site, monthly. Monthly we have a field trip, zoo class, library class, and community guests who present learning opportunities to our students. In the past we have had special guests from the Conservation Department, Fire/Police/Ambulance or health care professionals, a beekeeper, a professional fisherman, local farmers/producers, local artists, and local chefs. If you have any suggestions or requests for guests, please let us know!
Safety & Policies
Are you licensed?
Yes, we are a state licensed center, and we are accredited through Missouri Accreditation. Being licensed requires that we abide by strict sanitation and safety guidelines, along with health and program standards. We are frequently inspected by the state to ensure our facility meets the licensing regulations.
What is your potty-training policy?
When you and your child are ready to begin toilet learning, we will work with you to develop an appropriate plan to meet the needs of your child. This plan will be built on the child’s interest and physical ability to control his/her body. Children will never be admonished, punished or demeaned for toileting accidents. Parents are encouraged to bring extra changes of clothing during this process.
What is your sick policy?
Children who have been ill are asked to stay at home until they have been fever and symptom free for at least 24 hours. Please see our handbook for a list of symptoms and/or illnesses that would exclude your child from care.
What is your safety plan in case of emergency?
We have regularly scheduled drills to practice what actions to take in case of an emergency. We have a fully stocked emergency bag with class rosters, weather radio and anything else we might need. Staff follows procedures laid out in our emergency plan packet. You are welcome to view this at any time.
How do you handle discipline?
Peapod provides a safe and respectful environment for children through the integration of Conscious Discipline in the classroom. Conscious Discipline is a program that is based on positive teacher-student and student-student relationships. It allows children to take responsibility for their choices and the natural consequences of them. Our curriculum, Project Construct, focuses on social development as well. The staff at Peapod integrate these social skills into their daily activities.
Peapod staff will help students develop the conflict resolution skills needed to solve their own problems and disagreements. In an effort to help children grow in self-control, and self-esteem, teachers will set reasonable limits in the classroom.
Staff will be alert and acknowledge potential situations before they turn into a problem by redirecting the child. Teachers will help students reflect on their choices.
- Help children express and recognize their choices.
- Help children evaluate their actions, discuss alternatives, and think about the perspective of others.
- Help children learn to accept the natural consequences of their actions with teacher guidance and support.