Frequently Asked Questions
FAQ

Are you a state licensed center?

Yes we are! 

How long has The Learning Playhouse been in operation?

The Learning Playhouse has been in operation since May 4, 1998

Where are you located?

The Learning Playhouse is located at the corner of Buford Rd and Providence Rd. 
Our address is: 

208 N. Providence Road
Richmond, Virginia 23235

For driving directions and map, see 
our "Contact Us" link. 

Do you have a Facebook page? 

Yes, we have a Facebook page! “Like” to follow us!
http://www.facebook.com/TheLearningPlayhouse

What age children do you accept?

We accept children ages 2-12. 

What are your hours of operation? 

The Learning Playhouse is open Monday through Friday from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Late pick-up charges apply after 6:00 PM. 

Holidays (Days of No Operation)
New Year's Day
Memorial Day
Independence Day
Labor Day
Thanksgiving Day
Friday after Thanksgiving
Christmas Eve (half day, close at 12:00 noon)
Christmas Day

Inclement Weather / Snow Days Policy
We are almost always open on snow days. 

If we will be closed, due to snow, other weather situations, or power outage, it 
will be announced on NBC 12 (under community listings) and we will announce it on our Facebook page. 

If we decide to close early due to inclement weather or prolonged power outages, 
we will call the parents of children in attendance and update them on the new 
closing time and announce it on Facebook.

What are your costs?

Click here to see our tuition fees.  

What is your Philosophy and your Objectives? 

Our Philosophy: Our primary goal is to provide children with a safe, secure, loving environment with lots of opportunity to learn. We believe children are life’s most valuable resource.  They are the future!  We believe that strengthening a child’s foundation will yield a strong and secure adult.

Our Objectives: 
To provide a safe, secure, loving and nurturing environment
To enhance the development and growth of the child
To provide varied areas of learning opportunities
To provide an environment conducive to learning 
To help develop the child’s acceptable social behavior
To develop the child’s mental and physical skills needed for future learning 
          experiences

What is your Preschool curriculum like?

As our name implies, we are a learning playhouse.  We are a place to play where we learn. The mix of play and teaching we provide is the foundation your child will build upon throughout school. We provide a liberal arts foundation.  The mix of instruction includes languages (including sign language), reading, writing, math, science, art, music, health, and sports.

To see more in depth the curriculums on each Preschool Class, click here

What extracurricular activities are offered?  

Sign Language (Preschool) (included in tuition)
Spanish (Preschool) (included in tuition) 
Ballet/Dance (Preschool) (extra) 
Soccer (extra)

Click here to go to the Extra Curricular Activities page to see what is currently being offered. 

What do you offer for School Age children?

We offer Before and After Care during the school year, including Homework Help. Breakfast is provided in the morning, along with an activity, and transportation to school. Transportation back from school, snack, and homework help are offered in the afternoons. During the Summer, the School Agers have lots of fun and educational experiences and they go on average 3 field trips a week. 

We offer a full-time School Age Summer Program during the summer months off from school. The School Agers go on 2-3 field trips a week to local places including swimming at Pocahontas State Park once a week. We plan one Big Field Trip each year.  In 2009 we went to Luray Caverns, in 2010 we went to The Virginia Zoo in Norfolk, and in 2011 we went Grand Caverns! (Tuition includes local field trips. Big Field Trips are optional and cost an additional fee.) When they are not on field trips during the Summer, we have many things going on during the day such as art and craft activities, Movie Mondays, structured group games, science experiments, time to play outside, time to play in centers, and more!

Is transportation provided to local schools for school age children?

Yes, there is transportation offered to these schools: 

Chesterfield County
AM Davis Elementary**
Bon Air Elementary**
Crestwood Elementary*
Hening Elementary
Providence Elementary**
Reams Road Elementary **
Robious Middle*



*School Bus drops off and picks up for this school
**TLP Bus drops off and picks up for this school

Do the children go on field trips?

Yes, children of all ages go on field trips at TLP!  The Preschool classes have field trips scheduled each month. Click here to see their calendar of events! The School Agers go on field trips on days from school such as during Christmas Break, Spring Break, and Summer Break. During the Summer, the School Agers go on average 3 field trips per week. 

Click here to see School Age activity and field trip pictures!

Do you provide meals and snacks?

Yes, we provide breakfast, lunch, and an afternoon snack. It is included in your child’s tuition fees. We do ask on certain field trip days that children pack a lunch. 

Click here for our monthly menu, found under the "Daily Information" tab. 

Can you give medication to my chlid? 

We cannot give children any medications (prescription or over the counter). The only exception is for epi pens: the administration staff are certified to administer epi pens in emergencies for those children who require one in the event of a severe allergic reaction. 

Do the children go outside every day?

Yes, we believe that outdoor play is very essential and all of the children go outside every day weather permitting. When the weather gets too hot or too cold, we do limit the amount of outdoor play. 

What is the ratio of teachers to children? 

Based on the Standards for Licensed Child Day Centers from the Department of Social Services of Virginia, the teacher-to-student ratios are based on age as follows: 

2 years old – 1 teacher to 8 students
3 to 5 years old– 1 teacher to 10 students
5 through 8 years old – 1 teacher to 18 students
9 through 12 years old – 1 teacher to 20 students 

What is your Discipline Policy?

We believe in teaching self-control, that proper behavior and proper conduct promote a safe environment. We believe rules and regulations and the consequences of not following them need to be explained to the children. 

As stated in our Handbook, our disciplinary techniques are: 
Redirection or Removing the child from the situation
Verbal Warning
Taking away Privileges
Time Out (reasonable time of maximum 5 minutes) 

We reserve the right to withdraw any child with a two-week notice for the following reasons: 
Excessive Biting 
Causes or is likely to cause danger to oneself and/or to others
Has a severe discipline problem
Exhibits bad language
Non-payment
Non-conformance to Center Policy as stated in the Handbook 
The Learning Playhouse cannot meet the child's needs

No child will be denied food at mealtimes for disciplinary reasons.

May I tour your facility?

Yes, we encourage you to call ahead and set up a time to take a tour and come see what we are all about!

How do I enroll my child?

Call or stop by any time to ask about available spaces in the classrooms and come by to pick up an information enrollment packet! 

What you will need to enroll your child: 
1. Enrollment Form 
2. Medical Form 
3. Blanket Permission Form 
4. Picture and Video Release Form 
5. Copy of Birth Certificate
6. $60.00 Registration Fee 
7. School Age Summer Packet (School Age Summer Program only) 

Click here to go to the Forms and Links page to download and print forms.