Waitlist Policy and FAQ
Thank you for taking the time to get to know Nourish Early Learning. Because we are an intimate space, we often have a waitlist and we encourage you to apply. As a program that runs all year round, we do not have a specific enrollment date and must operate on a rolling admissions status as openings become available. Your position on the waitlist will determine when and if you receive a call for your child to enroll.
Please read carefully the following information.
How It Works
To get on Nourish’s waitlist, families must fill out an application and turn in a one-time, non-refundable $50 application fee. We maintain our own waitlist, and since it is typically long (especially for our infants and toddlers), we recommend applying as early as possible.
Our waitlist is fluid and ever-changing. We feel the compilation of questions below is the best overview of the process, but welcome any additional questions or concerns you may have. We understand that finding a nourishing fit for your child is of utmost importance to you, and wish we could serve all of the children in our community. We will do our best to help you in the process of finding a wonderful fit for your little ones, even if it does not work at Nourish.
Frequently Asked Questions
We’ve compiled a list of questions that families often ask and we hope the information will be helpful to you.
How long is the wait list?
Nourish’s waitlist varies from room to room, but is generally longer for our seedling (2-14 months), root (14-26 months), and sprout (26-36 months) classrooms. Nourish has a small infant and toddler program, capping at 12 infants, 12 young toddler and 14 older toddler at one time.
The number of applicants changes frequently as a result of continuous submissions and older applicants rolling over into new age groups.
How long is the wait time?
Unfortunately, Nourish is unable to predict how quickly the waitlist will progress, therefore making it impossible to provide specific information on “time”, “place” or “number” on the waitlist or the probability of being enrolled.
Your position on the waitlist and your wait time is affected by our priority applicants/enrollments, applications that rolled over to new classrooms, classroom openings (age-based) and needs, your child’s age, and your application date.
When do you recommend submitting an application for the waitlist?
We recommend submitting an application as early as possible to be placed on our waitlist regardless of when you are planning to send your child to school. The majority of our applicants submit their applications once they are expecting.
Although we accept applications prior to touring our school(s), we suggest all parents visit us to understand our programs, classroom setup and learning philosophies, and to have your questions answered.
Can I stop in and have a tour of Nourish?
We strongly suggest parents tour Nourish. We offer tours weekly, which you can schedule here. While we love the spontaneity of walk-in tours, we may not have the administrative staff available to provide.
We believe that every family is unique and their childcare needs are unique. While making this decision for your child, Nourish believes there is a right place for everyone (even if it is not us!) and our goal will be to help you in your decision making. A tour is the perfect place to ask questions and get to know us as you walk through this journey.
How will I know if you received my waitlist application?
All waitlist applications are filled out via Brightwheel, our parent communication tool. You will receive an email confirming the receipt of the application.
Your waitlist application fee can either be submitted via Brightwheel (ACH or CC), mailed or dropped off to Nourish at the below address:
4320 Navarre Avenue
Oregon, Ohio 43616
The date in which we receive your waitlist application fee will be the date that you will be added to the waitlist.
What is an waitlist application date?
An application date is the date we physically receive your waitlist application and fee. This is the date you will be added to the waitlist.
Is preference given to certain families?
Nourish gives preference for enrollment to the following:
Educators and staff of Nourish Early Learning.
Siblings of current Nourish children.
How is it possible that someone who applied after I did was offered a space before me?
Nourish gives preference to staff children and current student siblings. Other than that, there may be a few additional reasons a child with a later application date may be offered space before you.
The opening Nourish has is for a different age group (example your child is 15 months and the opening is for our 26-36 months toddler 2 room).
You require part-time care and the opening is for full time (if you would like Nourish to call you in the event of a full-time slot opening, you can make such a request, knowing that we will require full-time payment)
You require full-time care and the opening is for part-time
We did not receive your waitlist update form (see below) and therefore you have been removed from the waitlist
How long will I be on the waitlist? Are there any fees to remain on the waitlist?
You will remain on the waitlist with no additional fees until you ask to be removed, we cannot get a hold of you after several attempts, your child becomes too old to attend Nourish, or you do not answer our bi-yearly waitlist information update.
What is your bi-yearly waitlist email entail?
Nourish sends two EMAILS per year (spring and fall) to those families on our waitlist to be sure the family is still interested in our school and to be sure all contact information is up to date.
We allow families two weeks to respond to this email to reconfirm all information is correct and interest in Nourish. Lack of response will result in removal from the waitlist. We can reactivate your application if you contact us at a later date, and reinstate your original application date.
I answered the waitlist email to confirm all of my information and my continued interest in Nourish. Will I receive an update of where I am on the list?
Unfortunately, it isn’t feasible for Nourish to contact everyone on the waitlist to tell them where they are on a list that is growing. You can always contact Nourish at admin@nourishearlylearning.com to clarify information, should you need.
Will my child get in faster if I apply for part-time?
While part-time availability is limited, if you are flexible, please let us know. We cannot guarantee that you will be in sooner, but it will offer options.
Is my child guaranteed a spot once he/she is on the waitlist?
Given the tremendous interest in Nourish, being on the waitlist DOES NOT guarantee enrollment in our programs, but it certainly increases your chances when an opening becomes available. We unfortunately cannot predict an applicant’s chances for admission since our classes have unique needs each year.
We are aware of the shortage of early care and education spaces in the community and of the frequent long wait periods to gain access to service, so we advise you to tour and apply to multiple schools to give yourself options.
Is there a specific time you enroll new families?
Because Nourish operates year-round, we may contact those on our waitlist at any time during the school year. How often this happens and in which classroom is unpredictable.
Much of our outreach happens in the summer as our Early 5 and PreK class graduate and move to Kindergarten, transitioning younger learners up to new classrooms. The number of openings varies each year.
While many of our transitions take place in June and August, there are possibilities that you may get a call of availability other times during the school year.
What happens as my child ages?
As children age, they will automatically roll over into the next classroom that fits their age. Application date will remain the same.
I would like to apply for two children. Can I use one application form?
Unfortunately, no. Separate application forms and $50 non-refundable waitlist application fee must be turned in for each child.
If a spot becomes available, how does the selection process work?
If a spot becomes available in our program, Nourish looks at the following in this order:
Any priority students (staff children or siblings)
Completed waitlist applications with waitlist application fee paid
Children eligible for the classroom where this is an opening (proper age)
Part-time or full-time needs
Application date
The family will be contacted via phone and email, so please be sure they are up to date. The family will be given a timeframe to respond to the outreach and discussion can begin about start dates.
What happens if I fail to respond to the outreach about my child getting in?
It is very important that you respond to this outreach within the time frame given. If you fail to respond, your child will be removed from the waitlist and we will move on to the next eligible child.
You can reactivate your child’s name on the waitlist if you contact us at a later date, but your application date will change to the new date in which you contacted us.
What happens if I am not ready to send my child when a space if offered to me?
Nourish is open to you deferring enrollment and you can remain on the waitlist with your original application date. However, we cannot reserve space for you for the future and will move on to the next eligible child on the waitlist. We cannot guarantee space will be available at another time.
