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?
These guidelines have been established for the comfort and well-being of all children enrolled in our program. Children who do not feel well should stay home.
If a child becomes ill while at the program, we will call you. State regulations require you to pick up your child within one hour of the call. Children will not be permitted to come to The Pumpkin Patch if:
They pose a health risk to other children
They are feeling so poorly that they require an excessive amount of time from staff
They feel so poorly they need comfort from their own parents.
In the event that your child develops or contracts a contagious illness or head lice, please contact the program director within 24 hours. Treatment for head lice must be completed and all nits removed before returning. Below are specific guidelines around when a child is required to stay home from school:
Fever of 101 or above (when temperature is taken orally), return after fever free with no medications for 24 hours
Vomiting, return after 24 hours without symptoms
2 episodes of diarrhea beyond typical, return 24 hours without symptoms
Head lice and nit/eggs, return when NIT FREE, checks will be made upon arrival, hair will be taken down if it is up, to check etc.
Pink eye, return when on medication for 24 hours or no discoloration and/or no discharge observed for 24 hours.
*Please note, guidelines around illness vary based on the child’s age. For a full list of child care exclusion regulations, see Appendix A of the Vermont Child Care Licensing Regulations. A child on fever reducing medications shall not be left at the facility. If your child is “crabby” and you have given them Tylenol, Advil or Motrin, any illness that they may have will be masked by these drugs. This is why we require that your child stay home if they have been given any of these medicines. In case of a medical emergency, the staff will take whatever steps necessary to ensure the safety of the child. These steps may include attempting to contact the parent/legal guardian, those listed on emergency form, or the child's physician. If we cannot contact the parent/guardian or physician we will contact another physician or call an ambulance to transport the child in the company of a staff member. If the emergency warrants immediate care, staff will call an ambulance to transport the child to an emergency care unit and then proceed to contact parent/ guardian.
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.