Policies

Paying Your Participation Fee

  Participation fees are based on your family size and income level as well as the length of the class session. You pay as you go.  That means every time you sign up for a class, you pay a participation fee through your Rec&Ed account with First Steps.  Here is the Fee Scale.

To sign up for a class session, you may use our online system through Community Education OR sign up during your current class and attach payment.

• Cash
• Checks - payable to AAPS (Ann Arbor Public Schools)
• Credit card - this works great with our online system.

Adding More Classtime:

• Guests:  You are welcome to bring along an out-of-town visitor with children IF
  
  • you call Sherri to make sure it's ok (space in the class for additional children) AND
    
  • you bring along $10 to pay for the visit.
  Grandparents are free to visit your class.  It's only when you bring along additional children that there is a fee.
  
• Drop In:  Using our make-up list of classes, current families may join a class once for $10 per family. Again, pre-arranged only (please call us so the teacher knows you're coming).
• Additional Classes:  We offer our families a big break when you add a second class.  Remember, this is the fee no matter the number of children in your family.
  
  • Summer 2nd Class (7-weeks) = $59.
  • Fall 2nd Class (13 weeks) = $94.
    
  • Winter 2nd Class (11 weeks) = $79.
  • Spring 2nd Class (10 weeks) = $79 

Pausing and Withdrawing

You may pause or withdraw at the end of any session. Here's why you might choose one or the other.

  Pausing:  A "Time Out" but you're planning to return.

• You may pause your membership for 1 or more sessions.
• Please let us know your expected return date.  Dont' worry, you can change your mind.
  
• We will keep you on our email listserve while you're away.
  
• You may attend an occassional class from the make up list for a $10 drop-in fee.

Withdrawing:  Leaving the program.  You're still welcome back any time!

• Please let us know if you are moving or will no longer participate with First Steps.  That way we make certain your account is accurate before you leave.
  
• You will be removed from our email listserve (please help us do this accurately!)
  
• If you have paid in advance and need to leave the program, it is best to put the money on your Rec & Ed account.  That avoids a $10 processing fee. 
  

Making Up Missed Classes

If your child is ill, or you are on vacation, you may make up your class.  For Fall, Winter and Spring you may have 2 make ups during the sesson for each class you are taking.  Summer session is 7 weeks and, because it is so short, only 1 makeup is allowed.

Please follow these guidelines: 

• Choose a class from the make-up list posted in each classroom or online here.
• Call Sherri, our administrative assistant, at 994-2300 x 53186. Please try to do this at least a day in advance of your proposed makeup.
• We let the teacher know to expect you so you are welcomed at class.
  
• Make ups must be completed during the same session as your missed class. You may not carry over missed classes into future sessions.
• If we cancel the class for any reason (weather, Memorial Day) you are entitled to an additional make up.  This will NOT count as your make ups allowed during the session.
• If you have serious circumstances which caused you to miss many classes, call and talk to Marj about it.  994-4949. 
  

Illness Policy

If your child has had the following symptoms within the past 24 hours, please do not come to your scheduled class. You may call Sherri to arrange a make-up.

• Fever over 100 degrees Fahrenheit
• Vomiting or diarrhea
• Persistent cough or runny nose
  
• Your child is lethargic or says he feels bad

Ask yourself, if this were another child at my child's First Steps class, would I wish he had stayed home?

If your child's cold is mild, and his energy level is normal, come to class.

To minimize sharing illnesses:

Hand washing is the best way to prevent germs from spreading.  If your child coughs or sneezes into his hand, our sinks are there for you to help him wash up. Try teaching them to use their elbow!

We try to wash toys that we have seen children put in their mouths. Parents are a big help with this. If you see a child mouth a toy, or if your child has a cold and you think toys he used should be washed to prevent the spread of germs, please put them in the sink. We always appreciate parents help washing toys and cups when possible.

What about Snow Days?