How enrollment works
- 01
Get in touch
Call (717) 428-2811 or email salemjacobuspreschool@gmail.com. Tell us your child's age and the days you need. Registration for 2026-2027 is open now. We will follow up to answer your questions and set a time for you to visit.
- 02
Tour the room
Come see the classroom your child would join and meet the teachers who run it. You can watch how the room is set up, where children play, and how the morning flows. Ask anything about the day, the ages in the class, or what your child needs to bring. After the visit, you will know whether this is the right fit.
- 03
Enroll and settle in
Complete the 2026-2027 registration form to hold your child's spot. Then plan a first week that suits your child's routine, with short days if that helps. Children must be toilet trained before they start. Reach out any time with questions as the first day gets close.
What to have ready
Most families gather a few papers before the first day. You will fill out enrollment forms and provide a health form and immunization record. Have your emergency contacts and the names of people allowed to pick up your child ready. Ask the office if you are unsure what a form needs.
Pack a full change of clothes in case of spills or puddles. Send outdoor gear for the season, since children go outside in most weather. Label everything with your child's name, including hats, mittens and bags. A small comfort object can come too.
Before the first day, decide who drops off and who picks up. Tell your child's teacher those names so the room runs smoothly at the door. Let us know how you would like to hear about the day. A quick word at pickup works for most families, and you can always ask more.
The first weeks
The first days are about getting used to the room. A familiar object from home can help a child feel steady. A teacher greets each child by name at the door. Some children settle in quickly, and some take a few weeks. Both are normal.
At pickup, teachers tell you what your child did that day. You will hear who they played with and what held their attention. If your child had a hard moment, you will hear that too. Ask anything you are wondering about.
Before you call
- Ages
- 3 years old on or before August 31 to 5 years old
- Hours
- Tuesday, Thursday – 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
What families ask
What about tuition?
Ask about current rates when you call or tour. They depend on your child's age and schedule.
What ages do you take?
Children from 3 years old on or before August 31 to 5 years old.
Can we visit before deciding?
Yes. A tour is how most families decide, and children are welcome to come along.
What should my child bring on the first day?
Pack a full change of clothes, labelled with your child's name. Send outdoor gear for the season and a small comfort object if it helps. Label everything so it finds its way home.
How do you handle the first weeks?
The first days are about getting used to the room, and a familiar object from home can help. Some children settle in quickly and some take a few weeks; at pickup, teachers tell you how the day went.
What does a typical day include?
The day is built around arrival, play and learning, and pickup. On Lunch Days, the day runs until 1:00 p. m.; on Tuesday and Thursday, it ends at 11:30 a. m. Children play together in the classroom. Ask us what a typical morning looks like for your child's age.
How will I know how my child is doing?
Most families hear about the day at pickup. Teachers tell you what your child did, who they played with and how they ate and rested. Ask anytime if you want to know more.
Do you offer part-time or flexible schedules?
Schedules depend on your child's age group and what openings we have. Call or email us and we will tell you what is available for the days you need.
What if there is no place right now?
Families can ask to be told when a place opens for their child's age. Call or email us and we will keep your name and reach out.
What should I ask on the tour?
Ask about the hours and days that fit your child's age. Ask how meals and lunch days work, and who may pick up your child. Ask how the first weeks are handled and what a typical day looks like; we are glad to walk you through it.
