Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Question: What type of special needs do you serve?
Answer: Please refer to the General Info page.

Question: What are the hours my child will be in school?
Answer: The classroom hours are from 9-11:30, 12- 2:30 Monday- Friday for half day programs, and 9-2:30 Monday- Friday for the full day session.
Staten Island Day Care offers the hours of 7:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. for families in need of before and after care.

Question: How many children will be in my child’s class?
Answer: The class size can range from ten to eighteen children based on the program and your child’s needs. We also offer 1:1 and 2:1 therapy sessions for special needs children.

Question: What are the ages of the children?
bird2Answer: The children can range from 2.6 to 5.0 years.

Question: What is a typical day in school for my child?
Answer: The school day is divided into many different activities throughout the day; circle time, fine and gross motor activities as well as cognitive, science, socialization and supervised free play activities. Please refer to our Programs page for more information.

Question: What is the cost of Daycare?
Answer: There are several different ways of calculating rates; hourly, weekly, monthly based on your child’s attendance needs. Please ask the school administrative office for details. Contact Us.

Question: Can I change my payment schedule?
Answer: Yes. You are allowed to make a change, however you must notify the school 30 days before doing so; for example; from weekly to monthly payment option.

Question: When is my payment due?
Answer: For monthly; payment is due the first of the month. Weekly payment is due the first day of the week the child is enrolled. Hourly payment is paid bi-weekly on the 1st and the 16th of the month. Daily payment is due on the day the child attends class.

Question: How do I enroll my child to Daycare and what paperwork do I need to submit?
Answer: Please fill out the Daycare Registration Form and bring immunization records, birth certificate, and a check for the registration cost. We will provide you with other forms such as; medical emergency release form (due within 2 weeks of attendance), income eligibility form (to determine free or reduced lunch program eligibility), trip permission form, and medical history form once you register your child.

Question: What is an integrated classroom?
Answer: We offer two integrated classroom setting options;
A 2 ½ hour a.m. or p.m. half day program that includes up to 7 mildly delayed children and 8 typically developing (general ed) children.
The second setting is a full day program (9:00am -2:30 pm) that has an equal number (up to nine) of mildly delayed children and general education children. Please refer to the Programs/SCIS page for more information.

bird2Question: Is the teacher certified?
Answer: Yes, all our teachers and clinical staff are NY State certified. Please refer to
Our Staff page for more information.

Question: Do you have a food program for the children?
Answer: Breakfast and lunch is provided by the New York City Department of Education. The monthly menu offers a variety of nutritious meals for the children to enjoy. All children are offered free breakfast. Cost of lunch is based on income eligibility; either free, reduced fee or fully paid.

Question: Does my child have to participate in the breakfast/lunch program?
Answer: No. You may send breakfast and/or lunch from home, but you still need to fill out the eligibility form. (You need not disclose your income if you are not planning to participate.)

Question: Do you offer enrichment activities for the children?
Answer: Yes, throughout the school year educational and fun trips are planned for the children; i.e. Deno’s Wonder Wheel Park, Puppet Works, Coney Island Aquarium, the Staten Island Zoo, movie theatre trips to name a few. We also offer special fun learning activities regularly scheduled throughout the year. Please see Programs/ Curriculum and Activities page for more information.

Question: Do you have bus service available?
Answer: Once the Department of Education approves your child to attend our school the school bus service becomes part of the child’s total program with pick up and drop off.

Question: Do you have Parent/Teacher conferences?
Answer: Yes, 3-4 throughout the school year you will receive a progress report on your child. Also please refer to the School Calendar for conference dates.

Question: What happens when my child leaves the preschool at age 5?
Answer: It depends on the needs of the child. Some of the children will go on to mainstream kindergarten, and for some small class placement is still needed.

Question: How do you prepare the children as they leave the Preschool Program?
Answer: We offer a six week transition program where the children are exposed to a new teacher, new students and new activities to participate. At the end of the six week program, each child will complete a Special Kindergarten book to take home and enjoy with their family.