There’s no such thing as a dumb question. Don’t see an answer? please reach out to us!
What ages does The Pumpkin Patch serve?
The Pumpkin Patch provides care and early learning experiences for infants beginning at 6 weeks old through preschool, as well as an After-School Program for school-age children. Our classrooms and daily routines are designed around each developmental stage. We also have The Clubhouse which is a program for ages 9 and up!
What are your hours?
The Pumpkin Patch is open Monday through Friday from 7:45 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Our After-School Program operates from school dismissal until 5:00 p.m. Families should arrive between 7:45 and 8:15 a.m. Our doors lock promptly at 8:20 a.m. Late arrivals must generally be arranged with administration in advance, such as for a scheduled appointment.
Do children go outside every day?
Outdoor learning is an important part of our program. Children have opportunities for outdoor play, nature exploration, walks, playground experiences, and use of our Forest Classroom, weather permitting. Families should send children prepared for Vermont's changing weather and seasons.
Mud? We’ll be out there making mud pies!
Rain? See us having Puddle Races.
Snow? “The snow never bothered us anyways”
Heat? Time for water play or a trip to the pool!
What is your Illness Policy?
Yes! Families receiving childcare subsidy are responsible for any family share, copayments, uncovered tuition, and fees not covered by subsidy. It never hurts to apply even if you think you’ll be denied. Best case scenario, you get help towards tuition, worst case, they say no.
How do you communicate with families?
We use Brightwheel as our primary family communication platform. Families can receive classroom updates and photos, message teachers and administration, report absences, complete forms, review incident reports, receive announcements, and manage tuition and account information.
Need to contact Admin? Please email us. We are often on the floor and miss phone calls.
Does my child have to nap?
Children participate in a daily rest period following lunch. Children who do not sleep are offered quiet activities such as books, puzzles, drawing, or tabletop activities while respecting children who are resting. Infants follow individualized sleep schedules based on their developmental needs.
Do I still pay tuition if my child is absent or we go on vacation?
Yes. Tuition reserves your child's enrollment space and remains due during child absences, family vacations, holidays, scheduled program closures, and inclement-weather closures. The handbook identifies the program's two-week summer break between school years as the exception, during which tuition is not charged.
Do you accept childcare subsidy?
Students must be fever free for 24 hours without medication before returning to school.
Students who have been sent home with a rash, should return with a doctors note.
Students who are too tired, upset or seem ill and can not participate in class, will be asked to be picked up. These students can return the next day.
Students sent home for throwing up or diarrhea may return once they are episode free for 24 hoyrs.
Enrollment & Tuition:
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For the 2026–2027 school year:
Full-Time Care (3–5 days): $455/week
Part-Time Care (1–2 days): $255/week
After-School Program: $130/week
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There is a $150 non-refundable registration fee and a $150 enrollment deposit. The registration fee is waived for families receiving childcare subsidy. Different requirements apply to After-School enrollment.
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Yes. Tuition reserves your child's space and remains due during absences, vacations, holidays, scheduled closures, and weather closures. Tuition is not charged during our two-week summer break between school years.
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Families must submit a Program Withdrawal Form at least 30 days before their child's final day.
Preschool, UPK & Learning
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Children learn through play, exploration, relationships, and hands-on experiences. Our curriculum supports social-emotional development, literacy, early math and science, creative arts, sensory learning, music and movement, outdoor exploration, and more.
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Our preschool program combines play-based learning, meaningful relationships, individualized instruction, independence, social-emotional development, literacy, early math and science, and outdoor learning to build a strong foundation for kindergarten.
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Our UPK program uses Teaching Strategies GOLD®, an observation-based assessment system. Teachers document children's development through everyday experiences rather than relying on formal testing.
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Yes! Community experiences and field trips are part of our curriculum. Depending on the classroom and season, children may also participate in Forest Classroom experiences, special visitors, water activities, and seasonal swim lessons.
Family Communication
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How will I know what my child did during the day?
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Yes. Brightwheel can be used for routine communication, including classroom questions, absences, schedule changes, health updates, and changes to pick-up arrangements. Teachers respond as their classroom responsibilities allow.
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Yes. Conferences are offered throughout the year, but families never need to wait for a scheduled conference. You may request a meeting to discuss your child's development or progress at any time.
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Whenever appropriate, start by speaking with your child's teacher. If additional support is needed, administration is available to help address concerns collaboratively and confidentially.
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Important announcements—including closures, weather updates, events, field trips, newsletters, and calendar reminders—are shared through Brightwheel. We strongly encourage families to keep notifications turned on.
Food Questions:
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Children in our full-day program receive breakfast, lunch, and an afternoon snack. Children in the After-School Program receive an afternoon snack. Our program participates in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), and meals and snacks are planned according to CACFP nutrition guidelines.
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Generally, children should finish outside meals or snacks before arriving, and food should not be kept in backpacks, lunch bags, or cubbies. If your child has a medical condition, dietary restriction, or another circumstance requiring food from home, please speak with their teacher or administration in advance.
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Yes. Families should notify administration of allergies, dietary restrictions, medical dietary needs, and religious or cultural dietary practices. Depending on your child's needs, additional documentation, an action plan, or emergency medication may be required.
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Families provide breast milk or prepared bottles labeled with their child's name and date. The Pumpkin Patch provides age-appropriate baby food and specified formulas.
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Absolutely! We support breastfeeding and chestfeeding families. Parents and guardians are welcome to visit to feed their child whenever possible, and a private space is available if preferred.