Frequently Asked Questions

When will the center open?
Our Beginning opened Monday, January 4, 2010.

How can we enroll our children?
Parents and guardians can enroll by downloading and completing/submitting the form here: Our Beginning Application Form.

What are the tuition rates?

Tuition Rates: January 2011 - December 2011

	Monthly Rates
Classrooms	5 Day	3 Day	2 Day
Infant	$1850	N/A	N/A
Toddlers 12 - 24 months	$1850	$1150	$900
Toddlers 24 - 36 months	$1700	$1100	$850
Pre-School 36 months - 5/6 years	$1450	$1050	$750
Pre-School - Spanish Immersion Starts Monday, January 31, 2011	$1550	N/A	N/A
** Pre-School - Spanish Immersion (January 2011 - February 2011 enrollment)	$1400	N/A	N/A

**Introduction rate for enrollees during the months of January and February. Rates will adjust to the regular pre-school Spanish immersion tuition rate of $1550 on June 1, 2011.

Other Tuition Information:

1. Registration Fee: $150.00 per child; regardless of the number of siblings
2. Sibling Discount: 10% on oldest child's tuition
3. Spanish Immersion Pre-School: Full-week enrollment only

Special Note:

Priority enrollment given to full week enrollment

Is there a registration fee?
Registration is $150 per child.

How does Our Beginning assign children to age groups?

Infant:	6 weeks 11 months
Toddler:	12 months 24 months
Toddler:	24 months 36 months
Preschool:	36 months 5 years

What are the center's staff/child ratios?

Infant:	1 staff for every 3 children
Toddlers:	1 staff for every 5/6 children (12 - 24 months)
Toddlers:	1 staff for every 6/7 children (24 - 36 months)
Preschool:	1 staff for every 8/9 children

Special Note: The above staff/child ratios are below the required WAC regulation. However, at times Our Beginning may divert to WAC staff/child ratios.

Does Our Beginning provide part-time childcare?
The infant program is exclusively a full-day, full-week program. The older toddler and preschool programs will accept part-week.

Is Our Beginning accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)?
Not yet. All new childcare centers must operate for at least one year before applying for NAEYC accreditation. However, Our Beginning follows all NAEYC accreditation standards and will apply for NAEYC accreditation after one year of operation.

Will Our Beginning provide meals for the children?
Our Beginning is the first and only child care center in the state of Washington to offer certified organic meals to the children. Our Beginning employs a full-time chef/cook who plans and prepares homemade meals to the children. Meals served included breakfast, morning snack, lunch and an afternoon snack. Menus are reviewed by a dietician.

Is there a playground onsite?
Yes, Our Beginning has an onsite, outdoor playground and a dedicated indoor play area.

What security measures will be in place?
All staff members undergo background checks with the State of Washington and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. In addition, Our Beginning is scheduled to have video surveillance, exterior lighting and security-locked entry and exit doors and a parking lot to ensure safe drop-off and pick-up of children.

Note: Our Beginning reserves the right to change and/or amend information at any time.