FAQS

FAQ's

Frequently Asked Questions

Browse through the answers to parents' most frequently asked questions or click on any question to go directly to the answer. If you can't find the answer you want here, we encourage you to contact the program director at weekday@xnet.com or to call 355-5495.

Weekday Children's Center - Naperville, IL

Our location allows us to easily visit the pond on site, go to local parks, or even walk to the grocery store. These walking trips are scheduled when they make sense for each class in terms of learning and development. Impromptu trips may occur in full day classes. Community visitors supplement the classroom curriculum and provide additional opportunities for children to learn about their world.

1. Is Weekday Children's Center licensed? Accredited?
Weekday Children's Center is licensed by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS.) You can find out more about licensing standards at http://www.state.il.us/dcfs/docs/407.doc
The center is accredited by the National Academy of Early Childhood Programs, a branch of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC.) More information about accreditation is available at www.rightchoiceforkids.org

15. Are field trips a part of the curriculum?

1. Is Weekday Children's Center licensed? Accredited?

2. What is the school's teaching philosophy?

3. How long has Weekday Children's Center been in operation?

4. What is the teacher to child ratio?

5. How many children are in the classrooms?

6. What type of security system does the building have?

7. Are parents allowed to visit the program?

8. What expectations do you have of parents?

9. What are the teacher's education and training?

10. How significant is staff turnover?

11. Is there a religious affiliation?

12. What are the drop-off and pick-up procedures?

13. Is there a safe outdoor play area? Is there an indoor alternative for bad weather?

14. Is fundraiser participation optional or mandatory?

2. What is the school's teaching philosophy?

We believe that parents are a child's first teachers. Our goal is to cooperate and work with families to ensure that children are taught in ways that are emotionally safe, educationally and developmentally sound, and with their present and future kept in mind.

3. How long has Weekday Children's Center been in operation?

Weekday Children's Center began offering preschool in Naperville in 1965. Full Day Preschool programming was added in 1991; before- and after-school care was added in 1992.

4. What is the teacher to child ratio?

All classes meet or exceed DCFS requirements for teacher to child ratios. In preschool classrooms of 16-20 children, there are always 2 adults present. In the after-school program, 2 teachers work with up to 29 children.

5. How many children are in the classrooms?

All classes meet or exceed DCFS requirements for group sizes: 2-year-olds are in a class of no more than 16 children, 3-4-5-year olds in classes of no more than 20 children, and school-agers in a class of no more than 29 children.

6. What type of security system does the building have?

The center has a secure entrance. Access is restricted to families that have been issued a keypad code. Visitors to the center must ring a doorbell and be buzzed in or met at the door by center staff members.

7. Are parents allowed to visit the program?

When your child is enrolled at Weekday Children's Center, you may visit at any time. Before you enroll, we ask that you make an appointment to allow us to spend enough time to show you all the center has to offer.

8. What expectations do you have of parents?

Parents of children enrolled at Weekday are welcome visitors in the classroom at any time. We believe it is important to each child's development that they see parents and teachers engaged in regular, friendly exchanges; classroom visits are one time to do this. Other significant adults are welcome; we ask parents to arrange these visits with teachers at times most suitable for the children.

Weekday schedules Parent Orientation, Family Nights, Saturday at Weekday Children's Center, field trips on which parents may accompany children, and assorted parent coffees, meetings, workshops, etc.

There are also opportunities to assist by providing snacks, doing office work or playground and equipment maintenance, fund raising, or participating on the board of directors.

9. What are the teacher's education and training?

All of the teachers at Weekday meet or exceed the state of Illinois' requirements. Teachers have bachelor degrees, most of them in early childhood education or child development. Teachers with degrees in elementary education have completed additional course work in early childhood education/child development.

Every year, each teacher participates in at least 15 hours of professional development training designed to meet their professional goals and the ongoing needs of the center and the children in our care.

10. How significant is staff turnover?

Nationally, people who work with young children tend to change jobs frequently, as often as every 4 ½ months. We know that consistency of care is important for children, both for their emotional development and in order for them to learn. The average length of stay for a teacher at Weekday is over eight years.

11. Is there a religious affiliation?

Weekday Children's Center is housed in and sponsored by Grace United Methodist Church as a part of their outreach ministry to care for, support, and nurture the children in their church family and the surrounding community. Weekday Children's Center is open to children of any race, color, national and ethnic origin and all income levels who need reliable care, safe and healthy environments, enriched educational programs, and services to support their physical, cognitive, emotional, social, and spiritual development.

Weekday Children's Center shares a faith connection with Grace United Methodist Church by emphasizing fundamental values such as love, forgiveness, trust, honesty in human relationships, reverence for nature and all living things, and understanding the difference between right and wrong.

12. What are the drop-off and pick-up procedures?
At Weekday Children's Center, parents accompany their children to their classrooms each day as they arrive. This allows teachers and parents to exchange information and lets children see how they work together for the children’s benefit.

At the end of each session, parents pick children up from their classroom or the play yard and have another opportunity to hear from the teacher about their child’s experience. The center has ample parking, so there’s no need to feel rushed on your way in or out.

13. Is there a safe outdoor play area? Is there an indoor alternative for bad weather?

Children play outdoors every day, weather permitting. Both outdoor play areas, one for preschoolers and one for school-aged children, are licensed by DCFS and inspected for safety by the DuPage County Health Department.

Indoors, there is a large Activity Center equipped with mats, balls, hoops and other equipment so that children can enjoy gross motor play in any weather.

14. Is fundraiser participation optional or mandatory?

Weekday Children's Center conducts several fundraisers throughout the year. These support scholarships and general operations. Participation is encouraged, but not required.

15. Are field trips a part of the curriculum?