Program policies.

What ages does the program serve?

Each class description lists the required ages.

Children younger and older than that age range are welcome to enroll and families are encouraged to try a free class (when offered) to see if it is a good fit for their child. Please email me if you wish to do so or sign up through the sign up link.

Can siblings come for free?

This depends on the class offering. Please check specific classes for more details.

Tinkergarten siblings under 12 months of age may join at no cost. Siblings over one year should enroll in the class

Sibling discounts offered.

If a sibling needs to attend due to scheduling change (eg. day off at school), they can attend up to two sessions without enrolling. Please notify me if an extra child needs to attend for a session so they can prepare any necessary materials. 

Can families try a class for free before enrolling in the program?

This depends on the class offering. Please check specific classes for more details.

Families are also invited to enroll in free trial classes or pop-up play dates prior to the start of the season.

Are refunds offered?

If a refund is requested BEFORE the season of classes begins, families can receive a full refund or credit towards a future class.

If a refund is requested AFTER the season of classes begins, families can receive a refund for half of the value of the remaining sessions in the season.

Are credits or refunds offered for missed sessions?

Credits and refunds not offered for classes missed by families.

If I need to cancel more than 2 sessions in one series need without rescheduling, families are eligible for a refund for those canceled sessions. 

What happens in inclement weather?

Decisions about whether it is safe to hold class are determined using local weather guidance.

I will update families at least 90 minutes prior to class by email and text message.

Whenever possible, the session will be offered at another time the same week or a week at the end of the session of classes.

How are photos used?

Balance and Blossom uses photographs to illustrate learning concepts and promote outdoor play and playful learning on my website or in other materials/media. Before we would use any photo in that way, we would reach out directly to the parent of the child(ren) in the photo and secure their permission.

Parents often choose to share pictures of their kids at play at my classes across social media, as they do with many other kids activities. Those choices are up to the individual parent.

How do I foster a safe learning environment during my classes?

Each child is accompanied by a parent or caregiver. I will support guides and do all that they reasonably can to provide a learning environment that allows for safe risk-taking.

I will bring a First Aid Kit to class, which can be utilized by attending adults if needed.

A few, simple rules help to address most situations:

Children can explore on their own as long as they can still see or hear their attending adult or myself.

If children are taking physical risks, we check in to make sure that they feel sturdy and safe in their risk-taking. 

I will encourage children to engage in risky play, but give clear redirection if or when safety and the safety of friends in the class could be compromised. For example, we celebrate that sticks are the #1 toy of all time, but we make sure that our sticks have plenty of space so they do not touch our friends' bodies. Ultimately, over time, we want to help children learn how to learn their limits while still playing in a way that keeps them and their friends out of true harm.

I encourage children not to put nature treasures or toys in their mouths. If a wee one is doing so as a natural part of exploring the world, we work with their attending adult to try to honor that need in the safest way possible.