The Parenting Center offers Baby & Me classes for children and a family member starting at four months old. Registration dates are:
Fall Semester (September - January) March 2009
Spring Semester (February-June) December 2008
Summer Semester (June-August) March 2009
Parents register each semester for the class the child is age-eligible to attend. Everyone is welcomed to the Baby & Me classes and Enrichment Programs for this age group.
The Baby & Me classes are quite popular and often fill to capacity. See the Frequently Asked Question below for more infromation about how enrollment is determined. You can contact the Early Childhood Center by calling 310.889.2248, or by e-mail at ecc@WiseLA.org.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How many children are in a Baby & Me class?
A: The ECC believes in creating an environment that is condusive to active learning and early socialization activities. It depends on the age of the group, but typically, Baby & Me classes have 12-13 children enrolled.
Q: What is the staff ratio in this program?
A: The ECC staffs each class with one facilitator and two teachers; a 1:4 ratio of teachers to babies! Parents are key to the Baby & Me class since they are actively engaged with the child throughout the class time; it's been found to be a nice balance of staff to families.
Q: Is there priority enrollment for Baby & Me classes?
A: Yes. Families currently taking classes are offered priority enrollment one week prior to opening enrollment to new families. New families will receive a brochure by mail, or from the office directly. It is encouraged that everyone register early so that classes can be reviewed and necessary changes made in order to accommodate as many families as possible.
Q: What if more families want to enroll than space allows? How is enrollment determined?
A: The ECC has a priority enrollment policy and makes every effort to accommodate as many families as space allows. After the one-week priority registration for current families expires, the Priority Enrollment Policy is followed, which includes:
Temple Members with children in the Nursery School, Elementary School, or Milken.
Temple Members new to the ECC and Parenting Programs
Non Temple Members who have enrolled in other classes
Non Temple Members who are new to the ECC and Parenting Programs
Q: What if I am put on a wait list? How long will I wait?
A: It is not uncommon for Non Temple Members new to the programs to be intially wait listed. Usually, these families are accomodated once the initial registration process ends and the space available has been reviewed. New classes are often added or classes with lower enrollment are combined to make way for another class where there is need. Your patience is asked for while the class rosters are reviewed.
Q: What if you cannot enroll me and my child?
A: Each class you take is carefully documented, even if you are wait listed. The goal is to enroll all interested families within one year of the initial application. When a family is not able to be enrolled, priority enrollment in the Enrichment Classes is offered so that the family might begin to experience some of the programs at the ECC.
Q: Does participation in the Baby & Me Program guarantee me a spot in the Nursery School (N1, N2 or N3?)
A: You will have the opportunity to register for the appropriate programs each semester. Until your child is eligible for Nursery School Programs, (age 2.9 years) you will need to register every semester. However, once your child is eligible for N1 or N2, he or she will matriculate automatically from the Parenting Center into the Nursery School. The ECC will visit your classroom with applications and paperwork during the fall semester prior to the school year your child will enter this program.