Step by Step Guide to Preschool Enrollment
Step 1
Arrange a visit
We welcome and encourage all parents to visit our program. Arrange a visit by calling us to schedule an appointment. We recommend morning visits around 11:00am to allow parents to observe our small learning groups as well as teacher-child interaction. Wednesdays are usually our field trip days so that day is not recommended for a visit.
Step 2
Apply
To apply, complete and return the required application form with a $35.00 nonrefundable, tax-deductible application fee to NLF 1830 Sutter Street, San Francisco, CA 94115. Fees are determined based on the number of people in the household and gross monthly income. Families who do not qualify for State subsidies will be placed on the private preschool waiting list. Private fees for full-time and half-day care are determined by our sliding scale. We recommend parents submit their applications at least a year-and-a-half in advance of the time they would like their child to enroll. Remember to inform us of any address or phone number changes during this time. See Fee Schedule.
Step 3
Waiting list
After you submit an application form, your child is placed on the appropriate waiting list (subsidized or private) until an opening is available. You will receive a letter to confirm that he/she is on the waiting list and what your fee would be, based on the information provided in the enrollment application. If your child is under two years of age and/or not toilet-trained, he/she is placed on a waiting list and we ask that you contact us once your child is completely toilet trained. Once you have informed us that your child is fully toilet-trained, your child will then be “actively waiting” on our list. We unfortunately cannot consider an opening for a child who is not completely toilet-trained.
Step 4
Openings
Most preschool openings occur in Mid-August, when the pre-kindergarten children enter kindergarten. We begin calling parents on the waiting list in the spring of each year. We try to fill all openings by Mid-August, but we sometimes have unexpected vacancies at other times of the year (i.e., if a family moves out of the area, a job changes).
Step 5
Orientation meeting
Upon accepting an opening, the enrollment date will be set and an orientation meeting will be scheduled. You will receive an enrollment packet in the mail prior to the orientation meeting. You will need to bring in the required documentation and completed forms to the orientation meeting. During the meeting, the forms, policies of the program and other pertinent information about your child will be discussed.
Step 6
Documentation preschool families are required to bring to the orientation meeting.
- Child’s birth certificate
- Immunization records
- Parents’ income verification, e.g. paycheck stub or letter from employer (if qualifying for the less than maximum private fee rate or state subsidized rate)
- For families paying the private fee, we require a half-month security deposit to secure the opening (This deposit is refundable with two weeks advanced notice given regarding the child’s last day.)
Step 7
Visit Dates and Gradual Introduction
During the orientation meeting, parents will be introduced to the staff and several visit dates will be set. We ask families to visit NLF with their child for a few hours several days before the child begins preschool to allow the child to get comfortable with the school. We gradually start the child in school with a half-day schedule for several days (1:30pm pick-up) depending on the child and their rate of adjustment.