Classroom Guidelines & FAQ’s
for Kindermusik with Grow and Sing Studios
During class, the most important thing you can do for your child is to be an active and patient role model. It is not uncommon for a child to attend several classes before feeling comfortable in class. Don’t be discouraged – what a child is absorbing in class is often evidenced in the comfort of the home environment rather than in a certain level of participation in class. The understanding and consistency of the parent or caregiver in class and at home are key to facilitating musical learning and growth. When you are an active, focused, enthusiastic participant in class activities, your child will model your actions and focus more fully too.
You and your child will enormously benefit from the Kindermusik experience, especially if you make active use of your At Home materials. Frequent reinforcement at home throughout the week makes all the difference in a child’s comfort and participation in the classroom.
Subscriber Information
The majority of our families are on our school year subscriber plan. This plan charges our families on a monthly basis on the 1st of every month for 8 payments which covers our 30 weeks of school year classes. Families can become subscribers at any time during the school year and only be charged for remaining months which includes materials. There are some scheduled class breaks during Thanksgiving, Christmas/New Years, and Spring Break. Sometimes fees will be charged for a month’s worth when there is only a week or two of classes, but keep in mind, we are simply taking the total cost for 30 classes and dividing it in payments to make it simpler for everyone.
Example: If you were to sign up in January where there are less than 4 classes that month, you will still be charged $68 at signup, then $68 on 2/1, 3/1 & 4/1 for a total of $272. This covers 15 classes and materials. There is no additional charge on 5/1 despite the fact we have some classes that month! Your first payment covers your materials, thus we must charge prior or at time of enrollment (verses holding and charging in May). If you come in mid-session, we do pro-rate tuition! We hope this clears up any confusion!
Subscription is not a contract in that you can cancel at any time during the school year, but cancellation must be sent to our office by email (to ) BEFORE the 1st of the upcoming month. Since all charges are made automatically on the 1st, once a charge is processed, refunds will not be given and cancellation will be made for any future months. If you cancel prior to being enrolled for 2 full months, you may only receive partial materials. Thank you.
Perks for subscribers are weekly secondary classes for each child enrolled (value $45), and 20% off any of our birthday party packages.
Weekly secondary class Perk! You can attend a second age appropriate class each week at any location. To attend a secondary class, you must reserve your space by signing up at the link provided only to paid subscribers. A new link is provided weekly as we move through the school year. Secondary spaces are first come first serve each week. Each child can attend a total of TWO classes per week – 1 primary class PLUS 1 secondary OR makeup class. To take advantage of our secondary class perk or makeup class, you must be enrolled in a primary class at that time.
Here are some class guidelines:
Entering Class
Plan to arrive about 5 minutes early for class. Arriving a little before class provides time for your child to settle in to the musical environment as they prepare to enjoy exploring instruments, reading books, or listening to music. Please though do not arrive much earlier than that as your educator may be wrapping up another class, or warming up her voice for your class. All classes begin on time; please try to be prompt. Occasionally, being late is difficult to avoid – please enter the classroom as quietly as possible. If you find yourself more than 15 minutes late, please contact us to schedule a makeup class so class is not disrupted. Thank you.
Participation
Remember that parent/caregiver participation is a key ingredient to success in any Kindermusik program. Your commitment to regular attendance and ongoing participation with your child during class will lead to more satisfaction, sense of accomplishment and enjoyment for your child and you! Please refrain from adult conversation during class time. Your child is sensitive to the adults around him/her. As a side benefit, your teacher’s voice will remain in good shape if she is not having to sing or speak above the group.
Cell Phones
Please turn off or silence your cell phone before entering into the classroom. If you should need to talk on your cell phone, please take your child with you, and step outside.
Drinks and Snacks
Please leave juice and snacks in the car with the exception of those babies nursing or bottle feeding.
What to wear and bring
Kids (and parents) should wear comfortable clothes; we do a lot of movin’ and shakin’… We have a NO SHOES policy for parents and children, so please come prepared to go barefoot or wear socks. For the babies only, please bring a blanket for your baby to lay on during floor activities. Here’s a great article on “why no shoes?”
Sickness
A good guideline to follow is to be fever free for 24 hours, and for a nose not to be running with anything other than clear. It is VERY common for babies and toddlers to have runny noses due to teething. It is VERY hard to distinguish that from being sick. If you at all feel that your baby is under the weather, remain home and schedule a makeup class. In class we have a “sanitation station” so after instruments and props have been used, they are immediately sprayed. Your teacher will guide all class members to follow our sanitation station policy.
Secondary or Makeup Classes
You can make up as many classes as you miss, but they must be made up within the same session/school year you are enrolled in. Makeups do not carry over to future sessions. To attend a makeup or secondary class, you must reserve your space by signing up at the link provided to paid subscribers. This link is provided weekly as we move through the school year. Makeup and Secondary spaces are first come first serve each week. Each child can attend a total of TWO classes per week – 1 primary class PLUS 1 secondary OR makeup class. To take advantage of our secondary class perk or makeup class, you must be enrolled in a primary class at that time.
There are no credits or refunds given for any unattended classes or for an unfinished semester. You are financially responsible for the entire class tuition amount and any home materials that you requested or ordered. Subscribers, your payments are processed on the 1st of each month. Once these payments are charged, they can not be refunded. If you cancel prior to being enrolled for 2 full months, you may only receive partial materials. Thank you.
Hurricane/Cancellation Policy
In the event of an imminent hurricane or other natural disaster, keep a look at what school districts are doing regarding closures. For the county your CLASS is in, please check their websites/social media to see if that county’s schools are open or closed. You can also keep an eye on the news for school closures or on their respective websites or facebook pages. IF there is a school closure on a day you have Kindermusik class, you can makeup that class in any other age appropriate class that runs through the school year, OR, you can use that as a bonus playdate or crafty party. Be assured we will work it out and you’ll get in your missed class. When possible, we’ll schedule a hurricane makeup week. We always want you to do what is best for you and your family, so even if schools remain open and you feel unsafe to drive, please stay home and we welcome you do a makeup class anytime throughout our school year all the way into May. If you opt to do this, and schools remain open, your makeup class must be done in a regular weekly class, not playdate or crafty party. We do not offer or process refunds that occur which affects our programming caused by hurricane, fire, flood, government requirement, civil or military authority, act of God, or other similar causes beyond our control as this is not the fault or negligence of Grow and Sing Studios.
Non-enrolled siblings
Due to limited class sizes and the delicacy of the younger class settings, we can only accommodate non-enrolled siblings when the sibling is young enough to stay contented in a sling, car carrier or stroller. Please note, all non-registered children attending class will not be able to participate. Emergency exceptions are considered.
Disruptive behavior
Children make all kinds of sounds during the class. We call it vocalizing. However, if your child is really upset and is distracting the class, your teacher may ask you to take him/her outside for a hug and some reassurance and come back in as soon as s/he is ready. Should your child become curious about our music source or instruments, please re-direct him/her if your teacher is unable to.
Children with special needs
Music is a help in neurological, physical, emotional, social and cognitive development. We ask that parents talk with their teacher so that we may learn more about your child, and together we can make a decision about how to proceed or adapt in class.
Visitors
We welcome visitors to class and enjoy meeting extended family and friends. When possible, please let us know in advance so we can avoid overcrowding the classroom.