About Us

FAQ

What is required of a parent?
The full details are in the membership contract, available on the forms page. In brief, a parent works one day each week, attends the weekly meeting/class, performs 8 hours of maintenance work for the school per year, helps with administrative duties as part of a committee, and helps out with fund raising.

What if I can't make my work day?
Everyone gets sick now and again. Usually, several parents will volunteer to be "on-call" as substitutes. Generally, the sub will expect you to prepare the lesson, and you will either trade days or pay the sub. If a sub can't be found, the school should be paid 1/4 of the month tuition each work day missed.

What if I can't make a meeting?
You can miss once a semester. After that, you must negotiate an acceptable make-up with the program director.

Are children separated by age during the school day?
Children are divided into three story groups: Ladybugs, Butterflies, and Bumblebees. Each group's story time is a little longer, to go with the longer attention spans. It also means snack time is less crowded, so children can practice life skills like pouring their own water without pressure.

What if I don't know what to do? I've never taught before?
At the beginning of the school year, the evening meetings are dedicated to "How-tos" on the jobs that the parents will be expected to do at the preschool. The preschool has many other resources available for parents, too, including boxes containing examples of past projects.

Is Montessori taught at the preschool?
While the preschool is not a Montessori school, we do have a lot of Montessori materials on site and encourage the children to experience and work with them. An evening meeting is dedicated to teaching Montessori before the materials are brought out, so that the parents understand what to do.

A lot of people will be working with my child in a co-op. Are they background checked?
Everyone (including workday parents) who will be on site working with the children has been fingerprinted and background checked.

My child isn't potty trained. Is that a problem?
No, we do not require that children be potty trained for enrollment. Note, however, that the only person who would ever be changing a diaper at the school is the child's own parent or Teacher  Phaedra.

What is the age range for enrollment?
We enroll children from 2 years through to the start of elementary school.

What if my child is disabled or has special needs?
Hansel and Gretel works closely with Cameron School in El Cerrito and has always been very accommodating to disabled and special needs children. Simply let us know, and we can work with you.

What if I have concerns about my child, whether developmental or behavioral? Does the school have any resources available for me?
Not only is Phaedra an excellent person to talk to, but we also have someone from Childhood Mental Health who regularly comes into the school at no cost. This service can provide counseling and advice. We also have a parents' library at the school with numerous parenting books that are available for sign out.

Does the school have supplies for me to use for my projects?
There are a lot of materials on site. If you need something that the school doesn't have, you can talk to Phaedra. For approved purchases, the school will reimburse you.

If I'm in charge of snack, do I provide the food or is it provided by the school?
The snack food is to be provided by the workday parent in charge of snack. There is a sheet on the fridge detailing any special food needs. We try to cover at least two food groups at each snack, and to encourage healthy eating habits.

What if a disciplinary problem arises? How is that handled? What do I do?
Hansel and Gretel is committed to positive discipline methods and teaching the children to explore their feelings and how to express them. A handbook is provided to all new parents upon their child's enrollment. This contains information on this topic, as well as many others. When in doubt, Phaedra is always there to help.