Frequently Asked Questions

The earlier the better! We have to run wait lists for Pre-K at many of our locations, so you want to make sure we have a spot for your child. We encourage parents to enroll at the beginning of the calendar year for the upcoming fall.

Enrolling your child in our Pre-K program is easy. If your child is already attending Grace Community School, you can fill out a simple enrollment form in the office. If your child is not yet attending, you can enroll digitally or in person at any of our Southwest Florida locations. We encourage parents to sign up early in the year, as space is limited and we will take a wait list when our preschool class is full. You don’t have to wait for Pre-K to begin for your child to start coming – we have great three-year-old and four-year-old programs running year-round. Once the Pre-K program starts for the year, enjoy the increased learning and reduced tuition fees!

While there are government programs and private daycare scholarships to assist with childcare expenses, wraparound care and extended hours for government preschool costs extra. Grace Community School’s Pre-K is a full-day program with wraparound care and meals included, and no registration fee.

Preschool (or pre-kindergarten) in Florida is the school year immediately preceding the kindergarten school year. Preschool has the purpose of preparing four-year-old students for elementary school, and it is voluntary.

Here are the ratios used in Grace Community School classrooms:

Infants: 1 caregiver per 4 children
1-year-olds: 1 caregiver per 6 children
2-year-olds: 1 caregiver per 11 children
3-year-olds: 1 caregiver per 15 children
4-year-olds: 1 caregiver per 20 children
5-year-olds: 1 caregiver per 25 children

Grace Community School complies with all State of Florida Department of Health requirements for handling Covid-19, rotavirus, influenza, Hand, Foot, and Mouth disease, RSV, and all other infectious diseases. Handwashing and sanitizing of toys and surfaces is the best preventative measure for controlling the spread of illness.

Grace Community is a completely smoke-free facility. Smoking is not permitted anywhere on the property including the parking lot areas.

Grace Community School provides most of the supplies your child will need at school like curriculum and art supplies. You can see the list of what you will need to bring on our downloads page.

Grace Community School does not take vouchers, but we do have financial aid and scholarship programs.

Grace Community School is registered with the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF), recognized by the Florida Department of Education, and accredited by Nicene Schools, International.

A lot of times kids will see the other children napping and be willingly to try it. However, we do offer children that don’t want to sleep a book or quiet activity so they do not disturb the children who are resting.

Grace Community School uses positive reinforcement and redirection with our students. Our main strategy is to keep them busy so problems are few. Our teachers explain to children what appropriate behavior is and only use time-out when necessary.

You can find the Grace Community School Parent Handbook on our downloads page.

Children will be released only to those persons whose names are listed on the enrollment form. Identification will be required of persons picking up children. Parents should advise the office staff in writing, if pos- sible, if a person not listed on the enrollment form is to pick up the child.

We only have one entrance into each building, and it is always locked until someone is buzzed in. Only people on the authorized pick-up list can pick up, and they must have photo ID and use fingerprint scanning to check in and out.

Grace Community School locations that have space offer 2- and 3-day part-time programs.

We typically change diapers about every 2 hours, however, we check them more than that and will change them immediately if needed.

Grace Community School helps with potty training. We have a complete plan for parents available in the office as soon as a child reaches 2 years of age.

Our rooms have bins in it where the staff can place toys if a child has been teething on it. We clean and sanitize all of our surfaces daily as well as washing the children’s hands with each diaper/bathroom break and before each meal time.

You can schedule a tour of any Grace Community School location. Visit our “Schedule a Tour” page to get started.

Grace Community School uses Creative Curriculum for developmental milestones. We use our own custom curriculum, College Can Begin at 2, for educational goals, especially our phonics and math programs.

If your child has special dietary needs you are welcome to pack food and drinks for your child. You can pick up guidelines for brought-in food in the office.

Grace Community School provides free breakfast, lunch, snacks, and drinks. You can see our menu posted in the office and on our website.

Grace Community School is a non-denominational Christian school, but all are welcome to attend. We teach character development using Bible verses and stories.

Grace Community School is closed for just a few days during the year like Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Memorial Day, etc. You can find the full schedule on our online calendar.

You will be charged every Monday, and you can pay Monday or Tuesday without a late fee. There is a $25 late fee for payments after Tuesday.

The late pick-up fee is $10 per child after 6:00 pm for the first 1 to 5 minutes, then $2.00 per minute per child after. So, don’t be late!

We have a weekly tuition price, so you will be charged the regular rate if your child attends any days during that week. If your child is out an entire week or more, the cost to hold their spot is 40% of one week’s tuition. This is how we do “vacation weeks.”

Some things you can do include: Fill out your enrollment paperwork online. Write your child’s first and last name on belongings. Check out our Facebook Page. Look at our online menu. Take a visit and familiarize yourself with your location. Meet the teachers. Let us know if you have any questions!

We need a copy of your child’s up-to-date physical exam and shot record.

Grace Community School practices a complete access open door policy. Children are available for visits and pick-up at any time to parents or family members that are on the permitted pick up list. You may be asked to produce a valid photo ID as well as use the fingerprint/biometric finger scanning computer system.

All staff are background screened at both national and local levels in multiple databases before starting work.

Yes, our teachers are certified, and all must go through the State of Florida mandated childcare classes.

Yes, Grace Community School is accredited through Nicene Schools, International.

Yes, all Grace Community School staff have up-to-date CPR and first aid certification.

You can enroll your child in person at any Grace Community School location, or online with our digital enrollment application.

No uniforms are required. We do ask that clothing and shoes be appropriate for play activities. Special shirts (Whale Shirts) are available for purchase.

We offer dropoff and pick up from local public schools for before and after school care. See our individual location pages for the public schools we service.

Grace Community School has a full-day Pre-K program. If your child turns four by September 1 of the current school year, he or she is eligible for this school year’s Pre-K.

We don’t take ELC/4C/government funds, but we do offer financial aid through a private scholarship program.

Yes, Grace Community School has financial aid. Check out our financial aid program web page for requirements and details.

All Grace Community School locations are open Monday-Friday, 6:30am to 6:00pm.

Grace Community School accepts children from ages six weeks (infants) up through age 11 (for summer camp and before/after school care).

At Grace Community School, our classes are named after sea animals (Not all locations use every classroom name).

Infants: Minnows and Guppies
1-year-olds: Turtles and Seals
2-year-olds: Dolphins, Goldfish, and Stingrays
3-year-olds: Sharks, Sea Otters, and Whales
4-year-olds and Pre-K: Whales, Marlins, Penguins, Starfish, Clownfish, and Jellyfish
Kindergarten: Sea Dragons
After school and summer camp: Manatees.

Childcare cost varies by location, age, and number of children. See our pricing page for more details, or request a price quote.

All Grace Community School classrooms and student areas have security cameras that are monitored by management.