ENROLLMENT & GENERAL TOPICS

How do I enroll/register my child?

Enrollment is easy.  Choose one of three enrollment options: 1) Download and complete the enrollment application, and submit it at your convenience, or 2) Request an enrollment application and school information to be mailed to you. 

What types of fees may I expect?

At The Woodlands Young Learner’s Academy our goal is to ensure that monthly tuition and fees are not a guessing game. Our tuition and fees are streamlined for your convenience and include: 1) Your specific tuition charges and 2) Catered Lunch Fee, (The lunch fee is optional for parents electing not to participate will have one monthly tuition payment,) and 3) Uniform fees.

What is “Gifted and Talented”?

"Gifted and Talented" means a child who performs at or shows the potential for performing at a remarkably high level of accomplishment when compared to others of the same age, experience, or environment, and who exhibits high performance capability in an intellectual, creative, or artistic area, possesses an unusual capacity for leadership, or excels in a specific academic field.

Are only Gifted and Talented children allowed to enroll at The Woodlands Young Learner's Academy?

No. Any child between the ages of 2 and 5 years of age may attend The Woodlands Young Learner's Academy. We believe that all children possess their own special gifts and skills. Our goal is to discover and unlock the “Young Learner” in each child and cultivate those talents to encourage our students to excel to their fullest potential.

Is there an entrance exam or screening test required for my child to attend your school?

No. The Woodlands Young Learner's Academy does not require any type of entrance exam to attend our school.

My child just turned two, and I want to transition my child into full-day preschool by starting my child two days a week. Is this possible?

Yes, we have a variety of programs that provide a great deal of flexibility for each family’s needs while allowing our students to receive an exceptional educational foundation.

May I visit my child during the school day?

Yes. Parents are welcome to visit their child at any time. We have a monitor wall available in the lobby if you are just checking and want to observe your child’s class for a few minutes or you may go directly to the classroom.

May I volunteer for classroom activities, Young Learner’s Foundation™ and special events?

Absolutely, we encourage and welcome parent participation in all activities, The Young Learner’s Foundation™, and all special events.

What is The Woodlands Young Learner's Academy philosophy on discipline, and how does the school discipline its students?

The Woodlands Young Learner’s Academy promotes good behaviors practices through reward and constructive reinforcement while providing a strong, loving relationship to foster respect and positive results. Consistency is the key to develop and achieve successful learning behaviors, and maintaining a safe, loving, and nurturing learning environment maximizes each students learning experience. Detailed expectations of our discipline guidelines are provided for you and your child upon enrollment.

CURRICULUM/LEARNING

Does the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) accredit The Woodlands Young Learner’s Academy?

NAEYC requires that schools pursuing its accreditation have one year of operational experience before beginning its certification process. To streamline this effort, The Woodlands Young Learner's Academy developed and implemented its facility design, curriculum, and policies/procedures using NAEYC’S criteria and standards.

Is The Woodlands Young Learner's Academy licensed by the State of Texas?

Yes. The Woodlands Young Learner's Academy is licensed and registered with Texas Department of Family and Protective Services in accordance with the Texas Administrative Code, Title 40, part 19, Chapter 746.

Does the current curriculum meet NAEYC standards?

Yes.  The Woodlands Young Learner’s Academy curriculum exceeds NAEYC instruction standards.  Our curriculum is specifically tailored to develop appropriate gifted education programs based on the Texas Gifted and Talented Association Exemplary Standards.

Are the curriculum and other enrichment activities geared towards cultural diversity and education?

Yes. Our Young Learner's will participate in activities promoting cultural diversity by encouraging connection with his/her own experiences, languages, customs, and cultures of other students, as well as being introduced to and discovering the traditions of many other cultures.

Will I be involved in my child's education?

Yes!  We strongly encourage Young Learner Parents to take an active role in their child’s TWYLA Experience, by volunteering as a room parent, chaperon on field trips, event organizer, or assisting your child’s teacher with curriculum preparation by cutting, folding, or organizing materials required future activities.

Is the curriculum flexible so that it may encompass the needs of students at different levels of development?

Yes.  That is one of the most important goals at The Woodlands Young Learner's Academy.  Children learn at different levels and pace. The Woodlands Young Learner's Academy is committed to challenging each student to his or her fullest potential in every program level we offer.

Do students get outdoor playtime each day (weather permitting?)

Yes.  Part of the mystique of The Woodlands Young Learner's Academy is its outdoor play facilities.  The Tadpole Parks & Lagoon Splash Adventure is a one of a kind outdoor amusement park.

NUTRITION: MEALS/SNACKS:

Are nutritionally balanced meals and beverages available throughout the day?

Yes. The Woodlands Young Learner's Academy provides our students a well balanced lunch, morning and afternoon snacks, for our parents, we have a complimentary coffee bar located in the lobby, and during pick-up hours, we offer “Bye-Bye Snacks” for both students and parents to tide everyone over until they arrive home.

What kinds of lunch programs are available to the students?

The Woodlands Young Learner's Academy offers a daily hot and healthy catered lunch program. If a family elects not to participate in the lunch program, then we have accommodations available for storing of lunches brought from home.

How do I enroll in the catered lunch program?

As part of each student's enrollment, they are automatically included in TWYLA's catered lunch program.  If you elect not to enroll your child in The Woodlands Young Learner's Academy Lunch Program, then we ask that you supply a lunch from home (including a drink.)  We have cold storage available for meals requiring refrigeration.

Is the lunch program nutritionally balanced for the age groups children who attend The Woodlands Young Learner's Academy?

Yes. Working closely with our caterer, The Woodlands Young Learner's Academy has developed a menu that is both nutritious, while being appealing and appetizing to our students. Daily menus may include a hot entrée with beef, chicken, or fish accompanied by soup or salad, and a drink. 

Is there an additional cost The Woodlands Young Learner's Academy Lunch Program?

No, the cost of the catered lunch program is included in each student's monthly tuition.

FACILITIES/SAFETY:

Is the school clean, safe, and well maintained?

Yes.  The cleanliness and safety of our facility is a top priority for students and their families.  The Woodlands Young Learner’s Academy maintains a full-time custodial staff for daily cleaning and up keep during school hours, and combined with the daily cleaning responsibilities The Woodlands Young Learner's Academy follows a comprehensive weekly and monthly recurring cleaning program. The Woodlands Young Learner’s Academy also employs an evening cleaning crew that thoroughly cleans the building after hours. Our staff also maintain a clean and safe environment for your child, which includes sanitizing all toys and equipment. Concerning safety, The Woodlands Young Learner’s Academy conforms to all equipment and furnishing manufacture’s guidelines/recommendations for preventative maintenance and periodic safety inspections.

Are personal hygiene and proactive health policies established and practiced daily?

Yes. Our staff follows explicit procedures with regard to diaper changing requirements, hand washing, specifically after assisting with blowing noses and restroom visits, and any person who handles food wears disposable gloves and hairnets. In addition, each employee of The Woodlands Young Learner’s Academy upholds specific dress and personal hygiene requirements.

Are sick and contagious children allowed to come to school?

Unless the student’s parents provide written proof by a health-care professional that a medical examination has been performed, stating that student may be included in The Woodlands Young Learner’s Academy daily activities, students will not be admitted to school if they: (A) have a temperature of 100.4 degrees or greater, (B) demonstrate signs or symptoms of possible severe illness such as lethargy, abnormal breathing, uncontrolled diarrhea, two or more vomiting episodes during the previous days attendance, (C) a noticeable a rash, or (D) a health-care professional has diagnosed the child with a communicable disease.

Are all outdoor play areas fenced and secure?

Yes. A ll exterior fences at The Woodlands Young Learner’s Academy are six feet (6ft.) high exceeding the four feet (4ft.) required by the State of Texas.

Is each exterior entry point into the school secure, so that only persons with proper codes may enter the building?

Yes. By design, The Woodlands Young Learner’s Academy exterior entry points outside our fenced perimeter. Those doors are monitored with a keyless entry system that is directly linked to our school’s management software.

Is there a security check and balance for student pick-up and drop-off?

Yes. The Woodlands Young Learner’s Academy uses a state-of-the-art clock in and clock out system that integrates directly with the school’s management software, and also shows a photo of the person entering a family specific code to verify that they are the authorized pick-up individual currently listed in the school’s records.

Are there proper emergency plans in place addressing specific events with an established practice schedule?

Yes.  The Woodlands Young Learner’s Academy posts evacuation plans in each classroom in the event of an emergency. Students participate in fire and tornado drills monthly.

What type of transportation do you offer?

The Woodlands Young Learner’s Academy provides transportation for all school sponsored field trips, and specific after-school pick-up requirements. Contact our Executive Director for specific details.

Is the school vehicle(s) equipped with seat belts, and is the seat belt policy enforced?

Yes. The Woodlands Young Learner's Academy school bus meets and is equipped with seat restraints required by National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

PARENT/TEACHER COMMUNICATION:

What type of updates and communications will I receive concerning what activities and concepts my child is learning?

Parents with children in our Early Learner's program will receive daily activity reports. All of other students will have weekly communications that summarize the current weeks activities, and what themes and concepts will be taught the following week. In addition, each of our core curriculum teachers will have an e-mail address for direct communications. Each month, our newsletter, TWYLA Times is e-mailed to the e-mail address on file, and for added convenience, copies will also be available at the front desk.

Are there regularly scheduled Parent/Teacher conferences?

Yes. Each student receives a comprehensive parent-teacher conference in the fall and spring.

May I schedule a conference with the Executive Director?

Absolutely. Our Executive Director maintains an open door policy, and encourages parents to schedule one-on-one conferences. We ask that parents try to schedule conferences in between our peak transition and drop-off and pick-up hours or between 10:00am and 4:00pm.

STAFF/TEACHERS:

What type of training do the teachers have?

The Woodlands Young Learner’s Academy teachers are the key to our school. Each instructor receives comprehensive initial and ongoing training to make certain our staff possesses the tools to provide each student with higher level thinking skills. Their training encompasses the differentiation process to address the enrichment programs taught at The Woodlands Young Learner’s Academy.

Do the teachers have a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Development or an Education Degree?

Although not a general requirement of employment, The Woodlands Young Learner’s Academy evaluates employment candidates on their overall merits and qualifications including, their ability to bring value to The Woodlands Young Learner’s Academy, its programs, and their capacity to adhere to and communicate the schools philosophies and standards.
 
The curriculum teaching positions, or more specifically the instructors who will have the responsibility of introducing and teaching our students the core academic elements of our curriculum, have very specific employment criteria, which includes a combination of or one of the following: A) Masters in Elementary Education, B) Bachelors of Elementary Education, C) Early Childhood Education Certification, D) CDA, and E) Years of experience teaching elementary or preschool age children.

Does each teacher receive annual performance evaluations?

Yes. Each teacher at The Woodlands Young Learner's Academy will receive an annual review by the Executive Director, as well as other members of our Leadership Team and a peer review.

Are the teachers required to have CPR and First Aid training?

Yes. TWYLA will certify each staff member in both Child CPR and first aid, and provide the necessary recurring training.