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Frequently Asked Questions

Wondering about the top preschools / daycares near you? We’ve got answers!

Here are some of our frequently asked questions and answers about our toddler daycare program or pre-K program:

At what age does the LEAP Program start?

At our Lexington, Sudbury, Bedford LEAP School, we start at the Toddler age group, where children must be 2 years old by September 1st in order to be eligible for the program.

Do children need to be toilet trained to attend LEAP?

Children do not need to be toilet trained to attend LEAP. The teachers work with you to create a plan that helps your child become toilet trained at his/her own pace. Our teachers communicate with you and offer observations about how your child is progressing. Children learn things at different times when they are ready, and we are thoughtful about how to best support the child and parents in the toilet training process.

Does LEAP provide snacks or lunch?

Due to the high number of allergies as well as personal preferences, parents provide snacks and lunch items for their child(ren). We are happy to provide examples and suggestions for snacks and lunch ideas! LEAP provides ongoing parent education and resources on developing healthy eating habits and nutrition.

How do parents receive information about their child's LEAP School experience?

We want parents to be well-informed about their child’s school experience. Consistent two-way communication allows us to establish shared goals and provide the most supportive experience for your child. Some of our regular tools include access to the teachers at transition times, weekly email communication, an open conference calendar, a school newsletter, parent information boards outside each classroom, biannual progress notes, home visits at the start of fall/spring session, check-in calls from the director, and an assurance that a teacher will inform you of any unanticipated experiences in your child’s day in a timely manner. We value a collaborative supportive relationship between each parent and teachers.

How does LEAP manage children's allergies and health issues?

We request that you refrain from sending peanut/nut products in your children’s lunches, as we are a nut-free school. If your child has a food allergy or medical condition of any kind, please contact the director as soon as possible to make a plan specific to meeting his/her safety needs. The teachers and directors do an excellent job of responding to individual needs of any potential health or allergy issues.

Safety is number one!

Is it possible to add on Early Drop Off or Afternoons?

Families sign up for a specific schedule at registration. If parents need to add on the Early Drop Time to their schedule, we ask them to please contact us in advance so we can inform the teacher. During the year, if parents wish to extend their child(ren)’s schedule on a consistent basis, we will accommodate them if a space is available. Please know in an emergency situation, we will always try to accommodate your child!

What are the child/teacher ratios and class sizes at LEAP?

We maintain a very high teacher/child ratio in all classrooms. Our Toddler II groups have 9 children with two full-time teachers and a third teacher for extra support as needed. In our Lower Preschool groupings, the classrooms are 9 students with a Lead Teacher and floating Support Teacher. In our Upper Preschool and Transitional Kindergarten classrooms, we have groups of 10 or 12 children with a Lead Teacher and Support Teacher.

We keep our class sizes small in order to be able to individualize attention, which allows each child the flexibility to develop at his/her own pace. Small class sizes are vital to a successful early childhood experience and teachers are able to teach, not just manage behavior. With the small class sizes, teachers are able to take full ownership of each child and meet the goals and objectives outlined in our curriculum guide in all developmental areas.

What are the opportunities for parent involvement?

We are grateful to have such a supportive parent community. It is our mission to create a true partnership with our parents and to facilitate ways for parents to get to know each other. We do not have any requirements for parent involvement, but there are many opportunities for parent involvement: parent coffees/workshops, assisting in the classroom, fund-raisers, community service activities, class parties, and school-wide events.

What are the qualifications of LEAP Teachers?

Our teachers and directors are extremely capable and competent in early childhood education. They come to LEAP from varied backgrounds and experiences. They are nurturing, knowledgeable, and highly-skilled, and we continue to invest in their ongoing professional development. All of our teachers are certified by the Department of Early Education and Care and many of our staff members hold advanced degrees in teaching and related fields. We offer our staff consistent supervision, mentoring, and the support to take courses and workshops for professional development.

Happy, well cared for teachers make for the best teachers. The LEAP School believes in supporting teachers and providing wellness to each member of our community. In turn, the teachers are best able to provide that same level of care and dedication to his/her students and parents.

What is a typical day like at the LEAP School?

The LEAP School maintains a balance between teacher-directed and child-directed activities throughout the day. The daily schedule is consistent and predictable for all classrooms. The following is a broad example of a typical day at LEAP:

  • Morning Drop-off and Table Top Activities for Choice Time
  • Circle Time
  • Activity/Project Time/Specialist Time
  • Snack Time
  • Gross Motor Time Indoors and Outdoors
  • Lunch Time
  • Story Time
  • End of Morning Transition
  • Afternoon Arts and Active Play Program  begins after the morning transition