Frequently Asked Questions

Village Tree House is open Monday through Friday, from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Our extended hours are designed to support busy families and provide children with a full day of nurturing care, exploration, and play.

Village Tree House follows a set calendar of holidays each year. Families receive the full calendar before the start of the calendar year so that they can plan ahead.

We are closed on major federal holidays, excluding Juneteenth, Indigenous Peoples Day, and Veterans Day. In lieu of these days, we close from Christmas Eve through New Year’s Day. In the event of inclement weather or emergencies, families will be notified promptly through the Brightwheel app.

Our goal is to provide consistent, reliable care for families while also allowing staff and children time to rest and enjoy these holidays with their loved ones.

Village Tree House welcomes children from 6 weeks through 4 years old. Our classrooms are grouped by developmental stage to ensure each child receives care and learning experiences tailored to their age and abilities:

· Explore Room: up to 18 months

· Imagine Room: 18 months–2.5 years

· Play Room: 2.5–4 years

This structure allows us to nurture children through the most important early years, providing consistency, care, and a strong foundation for future learning.

The first step is to complete an Enrollment Inquiry Form If space is available, we will contact you to schedule a tour of Village Tree House, where you can see our classrooms and learn more about our approach. If space is not available, families are welcome to join our waitlist.

Following the tour, enrollment paperwork will be sent for review. Once completed, families submit the required forms and deposit to secure their child’s spot.

We are here to support families through every step of the process and ensure a smooth, welcoming transition into Village Tree House.

Yes, Village Tree House provides nutritious, in-house prepared organic meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) and snacks each day. We focus on healthy, balanced options that include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and proteins, along with organic milk. Meals are child-friendly while also introducing a variety of flavors and textures.

For infants, Village Tree House provides pureed foods, mashed foods, and soft finger foods as developmentally appropriate. Families supply bottles of breastmilk or formula from home, which we safely store and serve according to each child’s feeding schedule.

We are mindful of allergies and dietary restrictions, and we work closely with families to ensure each child’s needs are met safely. Mealtimes are treated as community experiences, giving children the opportunity to practice independence, share conversations, and build healthy eating habits.

At Village Tree House, we don’t follow a single boxed curriculum. Instead, we draw inspiration from several progressive approaches, including the Reggio Emilia philosophy, which views children as capable, curious, and active participants in their own learning. Our approach is play-based, child-centered, and inquiry-driven, meaning we design experiences around the interests, questions, and developmental needs of the children in our care.

Through exploration, imagination, and play, children build skills in language, math, science, art, and social-emotional development in meaningful and age-appropriate ways. Teachers act as guides and co-learners, creating enriching environments, documenting growth, and partnering closely with families to support each child’s unique journey.

We recognize that every child has unique sleep needs, and we strive to create a calm, safe, and comfortable environment for rest. Infants follow their own individual nap schedules based on their natural rhythms and family routines. As children grow into toddlerhood, we transition toward a more consistent group rest time while still honoring each child’s needs.

Our nap spaces are designed to be soothing, with dim lighting, quiet music or white noise, and cozy cribs or cots. Teachers remain present to provide comfort and reassurance, helping children feel secure. We work closely with families to maintain consistency between home and school, ensuring nap routines support healthy development and smooth transitions.

We believe open and consistent communication is essential to building strong partnerships with families. At Village Tree House, we use the Brightwheel app to keep parents connected throughout the day. Families receive real-time updates on meals, naps, diaper changes, and learning activities, as well as photos and notes that highlight each child’s experiences.

In addition to Brightwheel, we also communicate through daily check-ins at drop-off and pick-up, scheduled parent-teacher conferences, and ongoing conversations as needed. Our goal is to ensure families feel informed, supported, and connected to their child’s learning journey.

The safety of our children is our top priority. Village Tree House is equipped with secure entry systems to ensure only authorized individuals can enter the building. Families and staff use unique codes for access, and all visitors must be approved.

Classrooms are designed with child safety in mind, including age-appropriate furnishings, tamper-resistant outlets, safety gates, and non-toxic materials. We also provide secure, live-stream webcams through WatchMeGrow, giving parents peace of mind with real-time access to their child’s classroom. Teachers are trained in CPR, First Aid, and emergency procedures, and we practice regular fire and evacuation drills.

In addition, we maintain strict health and sanitation protocols, including handwashing routines, daily cleaning, and close monitoring of children’s wellness.

Our goal is to create a safe, secure, and healthy environment where children can learn and play with confidence.

To protect the health of all children and staff, Village Tree House follows clear guidelines regarding illness. Children who have a fever, vomiting, diarrhea, or other contagious symptoms must stay home until they are symptom-free for at least 24 hours without the use of medication. If a child becomes ill while at school, families will be contacted to pick them up promptly.

We also follow pediatric and state health guidelines for common childhood illnesses. Our goal is to minimize the spread of illness, keep our community healthy, and ensure each child returns when they are ready to fully participate in the day.

Tuition at Village Tree House is based on the schedule selected (full-time or part-time). Tuition is all-inclusive, covering in-house prepared organic meals and snacks, organic milk, and all classroom materials, including bedding.

For tuition rates and options, see here.

We also offer information about payment options and policies to support families in planning for childcare costs.