Family policies

We ask your written permission before we share any photo of your child, on this site, in newsletters or on social media, and you can change your answer at any time. We never put a child's name with a photo, and the photos on this site are examples until we replace them with our own.

A child with a fever, vomiting or a contagious illness stays home until they have been well for a full day. If a child feels unwell at school, a teacher stays close and we call you straight away. A runny nose on a cold day is not an illness day: a child in good layers can come.

An adult signs each child in and out at the gate. Children go home only with the people on your list, and we ask for ID until we know you. Forest-morning pickup is at 12:30 p.m. at the gate, and school-day pickup is at 3:00 p.m.

If you are running late, call or text us and a teacher stays with your child at the indoor base. We ask families to arrive on time. The enrollment page explains what happens when pickup is repeatedly late.

Families send snack, lunch and a water bottle. We ask families not to send nuts. Tell us about allergies at the tour, and we ask privately once you enroll.

Holiday and break closures are on the school calendar at the start of the year. A weather day is not a closure: the director texts by 7:00 a.m. to say whether it is a forest day, a short forest day or an indoor day. We close entirely only when the roads are closed or the base has no heat or power.

Dress for the season: waterproof outer layers, warm layers underneath and boots. A spare set of clothes stays in your child's cubby. We send a list by season when you enroll, and the loaner shelf has rain gear to borrow.

Children do not use screens at Fiddlehead. Teachers keep their phones in a bag, except the one phone each group carries for emergencies and family texts.

We ask for a month's notice in writing. You can give it on the parent portal or by email to the director.