Program
First School is a year-round preschool program. First School has a
rolling enrollment policy whereby any available openings are offered to applicants
throughout the school year as they become available. First School can be closed for a "summer
break" in July and one week for Spring Break.

We utilize the Palo Alto Unified School District Calendar
to determine these weeks of closure. Please refer to your calendar for
dates First School is closed for legal holidays and breaks. If there are any changes, the
Director will inform you with a minimum of 60 days advance notice

Application Fee and Enrollment

A non-refundable application fee of $75.00 is required per family to enroll or to be put on the First School waiting list. First School is on a rolling enrollment basis so as space opens up we can offer the opportunity to join us.

The Director grants enrollment into the program. Before your child enrolls, an Admission Agreement must be signed and all proper paperwork must be completed. You will also need to submit a copy of your child's birth certificate or passport to verify their age.

Ask about our discounts including military, sibling, and single parent.
If you are a church member please let us know!

Deposit

A full month's deposit is due upon enrollment. The deposit will be returned to you after your child exits the program provided a 30 days' notice is given or after Graduation assuming no tuition payment is due. Should a child increase his/her time of enrollment, an additional deposit will be due so that the total deposit paid equals the full monthly tuition.

Tuition Payment Policy

Tuition is paid monthly. Please pay your child's tuition on time. It is due by the 1st of every month. A $25.00 late fee will be applied if tuition is paid after the 5th of the month. We accept cash or checks (made payable to First United Methodist Church of Palo Alto). A prorated tuition amount is offered to students entering the First School program mid-month. Prorates are not permissible upon students exiting mid-month unless 6 weeks written and verbal notice is provided to the Director. You will receive an invoice and reminder via Brightwell; you will be able to pay directly from there through ACH for your convenience.

Return Check Policy

A $25 processing fee will automatically be charged to your account for checks returned for any reason. After the second returned check, all tuition payments must be paid by money order or cashier's check.

Notice of withdrawal

A 30-day written notice and verbal notification to the director will be required to withdraw your child from First School. If the 30-day written notice and
verbal notification is not given, you will forfeit your deposit.

Absences

As any school which charges tuition, we cannot give refunds or make-up days for holidays or absences. We have ratios and other operating challenges we need to keep in mind and don't change. Full tuition is due each month and will include all posted school holidays and your child's sick days or family vacations.