Classes, Rates & Openings

What children learn through play

Rates Effective 9/1/2012

Littlest Acorns

Ages served: Infants 2 to 12-14 months old

Class size: 6, Staff ratio: 1:3

Primary care providers respond to our youngest babies according to each one's unique moods, needs and daily routine. Daily charts, completed by parents and staff, provide direct, accurate exchange of information and continuity of care from home to center. Individualized activity plans are developed every 6 weeks to assure proper stimulation. (infant class goals)

Full day

5 days: $1891

Sprouts

Ages served: Toddlers 12-14 to 24 months old

Class size: 6, Staff ratio: 1:3

The toddlers of our Sprouts class have a more group-oriented day. We begin working with concepts and hands-on projects, including play-doh, finger painting, picture-object matching, water play, stories, songs, and plenty of outdoor play. Language learning is emphasized. Individual daily charting continues in this group. (Sprouts class goals | Sprouts schedule)

Full day

5 days: $1891

3 days: $1220

2 days: $815

Per day: $95

Seedlings

Ages served: 24 to about 36 months

Class size: 12, Staff ratio: 1:6

This program for mostly 2-year-olds has a day filled with exploratory play, large muscle activities, music and language games. There is outside time twice a day, story time and fine motor activities. Many and varied hands-on art, science and cooking projects round out the program. Self-help and language skills are emphasized. These little ones rest about two hours each day. Our staff work on toilet training with this group, but it is not required before enrollment! (Seedlings class goals | Seedlings schedule)

Half day

5 days: $904

3 days: $603

2 days: $452

Per Half day: $45

Saplings

Ages served: some older 2's, most 3-year-olds, and young 4's

Class size: 16, Staff ratio: 1:8

Our Saplings spend a lot of their time working singly or in groups with manipulative games that promote reading and math readiness skills. Circle-times are longer and more involved, and include discussion of weekly learning topics and current family events. Dramatic play in the housekeeping and block areas keeps a child of this age occupied for long periods of time as they carry out projects they've planned. Add stories, large motor activities, computer, science, art, fine motor activities and nap time and you have a very well-rounded day.
(Saplings class goals | Saplings schedule)

Half day

5 days: $828

3 days: $552

2 days: $414

Per Half day: $41

Oak Trees

Ages served: 4 to 6 years old

Class size: 20, Staff ratio: 1:10

The Oak Trees program is for children in their pre-kindergarten year. Our curriculum features teacher-directed activity in math, language, reading readiness and science. Problem solving skills are emphasized, as children now have the ability to follow instructions, understand a team concept, and take turns. Field trips, woodworking, computers, music, dance and cooking are loved activities for our overconfident older preschoolers. Of course, there is also art, free play, outside time, rest time and circle time. (Oak Trees class goals | Oak Trees schedule)

Half day

5 days: $774

3 days: $516

2 days: $387

Per Half day: $39

Mighty Oaks

Ages served: 5 to 11 years old, (Kindergarten through 5th grade)

Class size: 22, Staff ratio: 1:11

Schools served: Bells Mill Elementary School , Beverly Farms Elementary Schools, Cold Spring, and Wayside.

Our K through 5th graders fit a lot of action into their before and after school hours! Snacks, outdoor play including group games, art and cooking projects, indoor games, reading/homework time, computers, and frequent field trips make for an enriching program. Cooperative interaction is emphasized. Little Acorns provides transportation to and from schools. We are open for full-day care on school closing days. (Mighty Oaks class goals | Mighty Oaks schedule)

The Mighty Oaks group does not operate during the summer, when we serve children only up to age 6 (pre-kindergarten).

Waiting List

There is no charge to be placed on Little Acorns' wait list. We take no fees until we make, and you accept, a firm offer of a space in our center.

Order on the wait list is determined by priority status and date placed on the list.

Priority placement is given to:

• children of families with another child currently enrolled at Little Acorns;
• children of Little Acorns staff; and
• children whose families are employed by Montgomery County Government (including MCPS).

We keep separate wait lists for each group. If your child is not placed before aging out of a group, we advance him or her to the next wait list.

We update our wait lists every 3-4 months by calling families to see if they still want to be on the list.

If we leave you a message and you don't call us back within a week, we will remove you from our wait list. This ensures that our list is not full of families who don't really need care anymore.

To be placed on Little Acorns' wait list, simply call us at 301-983-4372 (Monday-Friday) or email us at littleacornselc@comcast.net with the following information:

• parents' names
• child's name (if not yet born, just "Baby")
• child's date of birth (if not yet born, due date)
• how to contact you--phone number and/or email
• whether you are a Montgomery County government employee
• date you ideally want to start care
• what type of care desired--full time (5 days/week) or part time, full day or part day (pickup at 1 PM), before or after school, or kindergarten compliment
• anything else you think we need to know

If you want to tour Little Acorns, please call us and we will set up an appointment. If you try to drop in for a tour, we cannot guarantee that anyone will be available to show you around and answer questions.