Frequently Asked Questions – Programs

How old must children be to begin at The Little School?

Children must be two years old by September 1st to begin at The Little School.

Is The Little School a year-round program?

Our regular school year begins after Labor Day and ends typically in early June. We also offer a seven-week summer program. We are closed for two weeks in December, one week in February, one week in April, and for the month of August.

Is the summer program open to the public?

Our summer program runs very close to capacity with incoming and currently enrolled children. Additional available spots are open to children in our waitpool; summer application information is sent out with decision letters in March.

Is full time care available?

Care is available from 8am-5:30pm for all programs. Monday-Friday schedules are available for the 2-3 year old and 3-4 year old programs on the 5-Day Track, and all children in the 4-5 year old programs and TK.

What is The Little School's teacher/child ratio?

Our teacher/child ratios are as follows: 2-3 year old programs - 2:12; 3-4 year old programs - 2:15; 4-5 year old programs - 3:22; or 2:17; TK - 2:17. Additionally, we have floater teachers and a full time support teacher dedicated to supporting classrooms throughout the day.

Does The Little School accept children with special needs/medical needs/severe dietary restrictions?

Absolutely. We believe that every child has the right to learn among peers of a variety of needs. Check out our Inclusion page for more information, or ask us if you have more detailed questions about your child's needs.

What are The Little School's policies around Covid-19? 

The Little School closely follows all guidance from the San Francisco Department of Public Health. At this time (Fall 2022) that includes strongly recommended, but not required, masking for students and teachers. We require negative covid tests or isolation after symptoms, and masking and testing following any close contact exposures. We have a mandatory Covid-19 vaccination policy for our teachers. We are happy to answer additional questions.

Does my child have to be toilet trained to begin at The Little School?

No. We believe that toilet training, like many developmental milestones, should be approached at a child’s own pace so that he or she can experience a sense of mastery. We do not require our applicants to master toileting prior to admission. 

How do you support children who do not speak English or who speak multiple languages when entering?

The important aspects of a child’s home life and identity are acknowledged and celebrated in our classrooms. This includes a child’s home language and culture. We reflect children’s home language so that children find an important part of themselves represented and valued. The representations take many different forms: daily phrases in the child’s language; books, words on the wall; songs and sometimes people in the classroom speaking that language. All of the children become exposed to and interested in the many verbal and non-verbal languages we use to communicate and express ourselves. Our teachers are trained to support children’s home languages and to support the growth and development of a child learning English as a second language.

How does The Little School prepare children for Kindergarten?

We believe that children are best prepared for life after preschool by learning how to identify what they need, be in a group, regulate their emotions, and be a great community member. Learn more about our philosophy here.

How do you support families?

Teachers communicate frequently with families at drop-off and pick-up, through email, blogs, newsletters, parent meetings, phone and in-person conversations. The teachers and administrators partner with families to achieve a positive school experience for each family and are available as a resource about parenting and home issues. We encourage families to bring us any concerns, questions, or critiques that may arise. We have parent education evenings, joint parent-staff explorations, and forums where parents can speak to one another about important topics or just socialize and get to know each other. Every staff member is committed to growing in our ability to understand, respect, and support each other and our families.