FAQs

Below is a list of questions commonly asked by Willowbrook parents. If you do not see the answer to your question on this list, it is likely that the issue is covered elsewhere in this site, or in the Willowbrook brochure.

What constitutes a half-day?

A half day is different for different age groups:

Because the morning session is longer and includes the teacher announcements for the day's activities, it is the recommended choice. Lunch is from 12:00 to 12:35.

What do I do if I have children in both 2:45 and 3:15 departure times?

We will hold your younger child (age 4 - 7) in a group activity until your older child finishes at 3:15 so that you only have to come once to pick them up.

We request that you go directly to the Squirrel's Nest to pick up your 4 year old, while your other children may be picked up in their sign-out areas at the front gate. You will usually be asked to pull into the pick-up lane of the parking lot and runners will get your children for you, but you may be asked to park and sign them out personally.

How qualified are your teachers?

Specialists lead areas and range from year-round teachers to artists who also teach children. Many of our specialists have been at Willowbrook from 5 to 15 years.

College assistants help in all areas. Many attended Willowbrook as campers and high school assistants. They have proficiency in their arts and experience working with children.

Apprentice assistants are high school age. They work half the day and attend as students the other half. They are required to have been students at Willowbrook for at least 2 years and must be able to be placed in several areas, as needed. The role they play is important because they have grown up with the program and are models and mentors for younger students.

How many students do you average a day and what are your ratios?

We have an average of 400 students in attendance each day. Our staff includes more than 175 members, with approximately 150 present daily.

Our ratios, on average, are 1 teacher to 5 or 6 students.

What security measures do you take?

Willowbrook operates in an exclusive use area of Brown's Ferry Park surrounded by a chain link fence. Security staff walks the grounds throughout the day, and is posted at the front gate at arrival and departure times.

Visitors are required to show their driver's license and write down the number. They sign in and out and wear a visitor badge. They are also asked to remain outside of the centers.

How do the students know how to move through their day?

Artisans (8 - 18 year olds):

Teachers announce their offerings for each day in a morning assembly and tell students if there is a sign up list for appointments in their centers. They also place their schedules on a bulletin board located near the front registration area. A quick tour for newcomers is also offered daily right after morning assembly.  Students are encouraged to ask a teacher if they need help remembering what is being offered. Students have free choice of the activities they want to participate in and the length of time they stay in a center. Some students focus on one or two things in a day while others engage in many activities. We are always on the lookout for students who seem uncertain of what choices to make.

Villagers (5 - 7 year olds):

These children are assigned to age groups with head teachers. They are taken on a short tour of the Village area daily and shown where each activity center is located. Students may then select their activities. Teachers are available to help them with their choices and to set up appointments for options such as piano or violin lessons. Classes such as folk dance and creative movement are scheduled for age groups. 7 year olds have a greater variety of opportunities, such as attending special pre-arranged classes for small groups in the Artisan areas.

Squirrels (3 and 4 year olds):

Students are guided to select from activity stations during the free choice part of the day. Group activities, classes in dance areas, and nature walks round out the day. Plenty of staff is on hand at all times, with an average 1 to 5 teacher-student ratio.

Is extended care available?

The extended care option is offered for students whose caregiver’s schedule doesn't allow them to make the regular drop-off and pick-up times. We ask that extended care be used only for this reason. We are not set up as a day care facility.

Before-care is offered from 7:30 - 8:30 a.m. and after-care from 3:15 to 5:30 pm. After-care ends promptly at 5:30. (A late charge applies after 5:30 - our staff needs to go home.)

Extended care staff includes college assistants and high school assistants from our teaching staff. There is a charge of $4.00 per hour, broken into half hour increments. Extended care activities include recreation, games, stories, drawing, and simple art projects.

What kind of a schedule would you recommend for my child?

Students’ schedules vary. The more a student attends, the more opportunities exist to explore a variety of arts. Many projects can be completed in a day, while others require more time and help to hone a particular skill. If your child wants to participate in a play, particularly if s/he wants a major role, more attendance time is recommended. (See theater attendance question and answer.)

How long should my child attend if s/he wants to be in a theater performance?

Plays in which all theater groups participate are open to students attending for only 1 week, the week of the performance. Students ages 8 - 18 who want a major role in a play must attend for 2 weeks. Tryouts usually take place on Tuesday of the week before the performance week.

Major roles in plays for the Village theater group (age 5 - 7) also require a 2-week stay.

In the Village (age 5 - 7), will my child and friend of different ages be able to be together?

Yes, 90 percent of the day. Students are split into half-age groups in their own “home” centers for morning orientation and to deposit belongings. Each group has a lead teacher who stays in that center all day as a specialist. Students spend only about 15 minutes at the beginning of each day in their age group All ages have free choice of activities in the Village throughout the rest of the day, except for a 10 minute regrouping after lunch and again at the end of the day to prepare for sign-out. Children can easily link up with friends and eat lunch together.

Can my child go to Artisans when s/he's not 8-yrs yet, or move into the Village before s/he's 5-yrs?

No. We gear our age groups and centers to accommodate those ages adequately, with appropriate art projects and opportunities.

Our many years of experimenting and experiencing kids has taught us what levels are appropriate in our setting. We will make an exception, however, to move a child down an age group if necessary.

If I have more than 1 child, does the 5% discount apply only to one, or all?

The sibling discount applies to all children in a family attending at the same time. The children must reside with you and be immediate family. This discount does not apply, for example, to your nieces or nephews who are staying with you during part of the summer.

If I'm not sure of my child's days of attendance, or may want to add days, may I pay after they attend?

No. Payment is required in advance of your child's attendance. You may pay as you go, bringing a check or cash on the day your child attends if you have already registered completely before that day.

Do you accept credit cards?

No. We accept checks or cash only. There is a $20 charge for returned checks.

How do I apply for a job?

Email us!