Admissions
Welcome to Great Beginnings
Choosing an early learning program is an important decision, and we want every family to feel informed, comfortable, and confident before enrolling. Our admissions process gives families an opportunity to visit Great Beginnings Early Learning Center, learn about our philosophy and educational programs, meet members of our team, and determine whether our center is the right fit for their child and family. Enrollment is available year-round whenever space is available.
Our Enrollment Process
Step 1: Schedule a Tour
Scheduling a tour is the first step in the Great Beginnings enrollment process. To request a visit, click the “Schedule a Tour” button on our website and complete the online form. You will be able to select an available date and time that is convenient for your family. A completed tour is required before a family may enroll or be added to a waitlist. This requirement helps ensure that families understand our program, policies, expectations, and educational philosophy before reserving a space. Families who are relocating or unable to visit in person may request a virtual tour.
Step 2: Visit Our Center
During your tour, you will have an opportunity to:
- Walk through our classrooms and shared learning spaces
- Learn about the classroom appropriate for your child’s age
- Meet members of our administrative and teaching team
- Review our philosophy and educational approach
- Learn about our curriculum, daily routines, meals, communication, and safety practices
- Discuss tuition, fees, enrollment options, and classroom availability
- Ask questions about our Parent Handbook and center policies
The tour also includes time for a question-and-answer conversation with the Center Director or another member of the administrative team. Families interested in our preschool programs for children ages 2–5 are welcome to bring their child to the tour. When appropriate and classroom routines permit, the child may briefly meet the teacher and become familiar with the classroom environment.
Step 3: Consider Whether Great Beginnings Is the Right Fit
We encourage families to carefully review the information provided during the tour before making an enrollment decision.
You may wish to consider:
- Whether our Faith mission and educational philosophy align with your family’s values
- Whether our hours and available enrollment schedule meet your needs
- Whether your child appears comfortable in the environment
- Whether our policies and family expectations are a good fit
- Whether the available classroom supports your child’s age and developmental needs
After your initial tour, you may request a second visit, either independently or with your child, to become more familiar with the program before making a final decision.
Step 4: Confirm Availability
Following the tour, families will receive a follow up email from the Admissions Team detailing the follow-up process. Families who wish to move forward can respond directly to the follow-up emails or text messages to confirm current classroom availability and their preferred start date. Because enrollment is based on available space, a classroom opening discussed during a tour is not guaranteed until the required enrollment documents, fees, and deposit have been submitted and the child’s placement has been confirmed by the center.
While rare, when immediate space is unavailable, eligible families may be offered the opportunity to join our active waitlist.
Step 5: Complete the Enrollment Packet
Once a space is available and the family confirms its intention to enroll, Great Beginnings will provide an enrollment packet electronically.
Families must complete and return all required forms by the stated deadline. Required documentation generally includes:
- A completed enrollment application
- A copy of the child’s birth certificate or other acceptable proof of birth
- A completed Virginia School Entrance Health Form
- Documentation of a current physical examination
- A complete and current immunization record
- Parent and guardian contact information
- At least two emergency contacts (other than the parents) with complete physical addresses
- Authorized pick-up information
- Applicable custody or legal documentation
- Signed Parent Handbook acknowledgments and enrollment agreements
- Any allergy, medication, dietary, developmental, or medical information needed to care for the child safely
Additional documentation may be required based on the child’s individual needs or the family’s childcare assistance program.
Step 6: Submit Enrollment Fees and Deposit
A child’s space is not officially reserved until all required enrollment payments have been received.
Applicable charges may include:
- The annual Enrollment or Re-Enrollment Fee
- The family Security Deposit
- The annual Materials Fee
- The first tuition payment or other amount due by the start date
All enrollment fees, deposits, and tuition payments are subject to the terms outlined in the enrollment agreement and Parent Handbook.
Step 7: Prepare for Your Child’s First Day
Before attendance begins, all required health, enrollment, and authorization documents must be complete and approved by the administrative office.
Families will also receive information about:
- Brightwheel account access
- Arrival and dismissal procedures
- Secure building access
- Items to bring for the child
- Meals and feeding information
- Classroom routines
- Communication with teachers
- The child’s confirmed start date and arrival time
Children may not begin attending until the center has received and approved all required documentation and payments.
Health and Immunization Requirements
Before a child may attend Great Beginnings, the child must have a current physical examination completed by a licensed healthcare provider and must meet Virginia immunization requirements.
The required health documentation must be submitted on the applicable Virginia school entrance or childcare health form.
Families must provide complete information regarding:
- Allergies and food sensitivities
- Medications
- Medical conditions
- Dietary restrictions
- Developmental needs
- Emergency care instructions
Parents are responsible for keeping all health and emergency information current throughout the child’s enrollment.
Our Waitlist Procedure
Because Great Beginnings maintains intentionally small classrooms, availability may vary by program. Although we do not always maintain a traditional waitlist, an active waitlist may be established when a classroom is full or when a family is requesting a future start date.
A family must complete a tour before applying to the waitlist.
Joining the Waitlist
A complete waitlist application includes:
- A completed waitlist form
- A requested classroom and anticipated start date
- A non-refundable $150 waitlist fee
If the child is later offered a space and enrolls, the waitlist fee will be credited toward the family’s Enrollment Fee.
Submitting a waitlist application does not guarantee placement by a particular date. Openings depend on classroom availability, age-group transitions, staffing, enrollment schedules, and the needs of the center.
Waitlist Priority
When an opening becomes available, consideration may be given to:
- Children currently enrolled who are transitioning to another classroom
- Siblings of currently enrolled children
- Families already active on the current waitlist
- The date a completed waitlist application was received
- The child’s age and the classroom in which space is available
- The requested attendance schedule and start date
New applicants are generally considered in the order in which their completed applications are received, subject to classroom availability and applicable enrollment priorities.
Maintaining Active Waitlist Status
Great Beginnings uses an active waitlist system. To remain active, families must contact the center at least once every 90 days to confirm that they are still interested in enrollment. This periodic check-in allows us to maintain an accurate waitlist and focus on families who remain prepared and committed to joining the program. Families who do not check in within the required period may be removed from the active waitlist.
When a Space Becomes Available
We will generally contact a family approximately 30 days before the requested start date, or as soon as an appropriate opening becomes available.
At that time, the family will be asked to:
- Confirm its continued interest
- Confirm the requested attendance schedule and start date
- Complete the electronic enrollment packet
- Submit all required health and enrollment documentation
- Pay the applicable fees, deposit, and tuition
The amount of time provided to accept an opening may depend on how soon the space becomes available. Families who do not respond by the stated deadline, decline the opening, or fail to complete the enrollment requirements may be removed from the waitlist. The available space may then be offered to another family.
Childcare Assistance
Great Beginnings accepts qualifying childcare assistance through programs that may include:
- The Virginia Child Care Subsidy Program
- Local government childcare assistance
- Child Care Aware® of America
- Military Child Care in Your Neighborhood (MCCYN)
Families using childcare assistance should disclose their program during the admissions process and provide all required authorization documents before attendance begins. Acceptance into a subsidy or assistance program does not automatically reserve a classroom space. Enrollment remains subject to availability and completion of all center requirements. Families are responsible for any parent copayments, fees, attendance reporting requirements, and charges not covered by their authorization.
Nondiscrimination and Family Welcome
Great Beginnings is a private, family-owned Christian early learning center. We warmly welcome families from a variety of cultures, backgrounds, and life experiences. Admission decisions are based on available space, the center’s ability to meet the child’s needs safely and appropriately, completion of enrollment requirements, and the family’s willingness to comply with center policies.
Begin Your Great Beginnings Journey
We would be honored to meet your family and help you explore the program that best supports your child. Click the “Schedule a Tour” button on our website to select an available date and time.
