How enrollment works
Get in touch
Call (570) 288-3708 or email jkleinheider@wvms.org. Tell us your child's age and the days you need. Lynn Klein, Director of Admissions and Outreach, will follow up with you about next steps. We have been in the Wyoming Valley, just across the Susquehanna River from Wilkes-Barre, since 1970.
Tour the room
Come see the classroom your child would join. Meet the teachers who run it, and watch the room at work. Ask what you like, and take your time. If you would rather visit online first, you can, but a tour is how most families decide.
Enroll and settle in
Complete your enrollment, then plan a first week that suits your child's routine. We will help you choose the days and hours that fit. Before the first morning, we will talk through drop-off, rest, and pick-up. Small steps make the start easier for everyone.
What to have ready
Most families gather the same things first. You will need the enrollment forms, a current health form, and your child's immunization record. Have emergency contacts and the names of anyone authorized to pick up your child ready. If anything is missing, call the office and we will tell you what to bring.
Pack a full change of clothes that stays at school, in case of spills or weather. Outdoor gear should match the season: boots and a warm layer in winter, a hat and sunscreen in summer. Nap items and one comfort object from home help the rest time go more smoothly. Label everything with your child's name.
Before the first day, decide who will drop off and who will pick up, and tell us those names. Think about how you want to hear about the day, and we will match that. A short goodbye at the door is easier than a long one, for both of you. If mornings are hard, tell us what helps at home.
The first weeks
The first days are usually shorter, so your child can get used to the room without a long stretch away from you. A familiar object from home can stay close in a cubby. A teacher greets your child by name at the door. That greeting is the start of the day, and it settles a child more than anything else.
At pickup, teachers tell you what your child worked on and how they spent the day. Children settle at their own pace. Some walk in from the first morning, others stay close for a few weeks. A child who settles slowly is still settling well.
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 18 months through 12 years.
Can we visit before deciding?
A tour is how most families decide. You see the classrooms, meet a teacher, and watch children working.
What should my child bring on the first day?
Most families pack a full change of clothes that stays at school, and one comfort object from home. Outdoor gear should match the season, and everything should be labelled with your child's name. Nap items help if your child rests during the day.
How do you handle the first weeks?
First days are usually shorter, so a child can get used to the room a little at a time. A familiar object from home can stay close. At pickup, teachers tell you how the day went and answer what you ask.
What does a typical day include?
A day is built around arrival and a greeting, then play and learning, then meals and rest. Outdoor time comes in when the weather allows. Pickup closes the day. How the hours fall for your child's age is worth asking about at a visit.
How will I know how my child is doing?
Parents usually hear about the day at pickup, and teachers answer questions then. If something comes up, we will let you know. Tell us how you would like to stay in touch.
Do you offer part-time or flexible schedules?
Schedules depend on the age group and on what places are open right now. Call the office and we will tell you what is available for your child.
What if there is no place right now?
If a place is not open for your child's age, you can ask to be told when one becomes available. We will keep your information and reach out when we can.
What should I ask on the tour?
Ask about hours, meals, and who can pick up your child. Ask how the first weeks are handled, and what a typical day looks like in your child's room. The answers to those four questions will tell you most of what you need to know.