Villa Cresta Tots Preschool Program

Registration is open for the 2023-2024 school year!

Our 3s class has a few openings at this time. 

We have one spot left in our 4s program. Please enroll soon.

Please visit Stone Alley to register online and then complete the enrollment process by mailing in the physical paperwork/money listed below under "Enrollment/Registration Paperwork".

(please email villacrestatots@gmail.com if you have any issues registering with Stone Alley)

Email villacrestatots@gmail.com if you are interested in volunteering for our Parent board. 

Quick Links

• ABOUT US
• PROGRAMS
• ENROLLMENT/REGISTRATION PAPERWORK
• OTHER GENERAL INFORMATION
• CONTACT US
• ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR PARENTS

ABOUT US

Villa Cresta Tots Preschool Program is dedicated to provide a structured program designed to encourage the social, emotional, physical and mental development of 3 and 4 year old children.

VC Tots Goals

The families and teachers who make up our preschool community share several goals. 

These include:

• Creating a safe, supportive, and stimulating environment that encourages the social, emotional, physical, and mental development of young children through creative play;
• Nurturing each child’s sense of accomplishment and personal growth;
• Encouraging families to share their unique talents, interests, and experiences in ways that enhance the preschool;
• Fostering a sense of community, support, and belonging for all those involved in the preschool.

Our Play-Based Curriculum

The Preschool’s mission states that the Preschool is dedicated to provide a structured, cooperative program designed to encourage the social, emotional, physical and mental development of young children.  How do we go about trying to encourage that growth?  We let the children PLAY! “Shouldn’t they be learning something?” someone might say. 
To that we say. “They are!"

The Preschool’s curriculum is based on the philosophy that children learn through their play and it is with and through play that they learn, grow and develop.

What are the key tools used to teach?

We set up our classroom to be a welcoming and inviting place for kids to explore.  We provide tools to experience and play with. 

It might be:

• with paint, brushes, glitter, glue, paper and scissors in the art area.
• with sand shovels, pitchers, cups, and more at the sensory table.
• with wooden blocks, foam blocks, cars, animals, and trains in the block area.
• with puzzles and games at the table toy area.
• a safe and cozy area for reading with a trusted adult.

What are the children learning?

• They are learning to interact with other children and loving adults. 
• They are learning about science and how things work. 
• They are learning pre-math skills and how things fit together and/or don’t. 
• They are learning to use their words instead of hitting. 
• They are learning pre-reading skills and learning that caring adults get down on the floor and
  play alongside them.

Children need to succeed in all areas of their lives and we believe that giving children the time and space to play will allow them to flourish.

I tried to teach my child with books

He gave me only puzzled looks.

I tried to teach my child with words

They passed him by often unheard.

Despairingly, I turned aside

“How shall I teach this child?” I cried

Into my hand he put the key

“Come” he said, “play with me.”

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PROGRAMS

Villa Cresta Tots provides preschool for 3 and 4 year olds. There is a capacity of 20 children with one teacher and a teacher's assistant at all times per class. Any additional parent or relative (over the age of 18) is eligible to volunteer. See Volunteer Eligibility section below.

Tuition Dues and Meeting Days

3’s Class $1,150 Tuition for the year

See Tuition/Payment Plans below for further details.

Meeting days will be Mondays/Wednesdays/Fridays from 9:00-11:30 A.M. and occur September-May.

4’s Class $1,600 Tuition for the year 

See Tuition/Payment Plans below for further details.

Meeting days will be Mondays/Tuesdays/Wednesdays/Thursdays/Fridays from 12:15-2:45 P.M. (New time starting for 2023-2024 school year) and occur September through May.

Payment Plan/Due Dates

Payments can be made in full or in separate installments. Due dates for tuition are as follows:

Payment 1 is due 3/15/2023 ($287.50 for 3's, $400 for 4's)

Payment 2 is due 5/15/2023 ($287.50 for 3's, $400 for 4's)

Payment 3 is due 7/15/2023 ($287.50 for 3's, $400 for 4's)

Payment 4 is due 8/30/2023 at orientation ($287.50 for 3's, $400 for 4's)

Please note:

• Tuition, application and supply fees are non-refundable and non-transferable.
• Failure to pay by due date will result in a $25 late fee payable within 5 days after due date unless we are notified that there is a problem that we can help you with. 
• A fee of $25 will be charged for any checks returned for NSF.  All future payments must be made in cash, money order, or certified check.

Admission Policy

Children entering the 3's class must turn 3 by November 1st of their entrance year.  They will repeat the 3's class before moving into the 4's class.  Children entering the 4's class must turn 4 by September 1st of their entrance year.  

Children must be potty trained before starting school in September. Pull-ups are not encouraged, but if need to be used, your child must be out of them by December 1st. Please talk to the director, Paula Spahn, with any other concerns.

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ENROLLMENT

Registration Paperwork   

Please print the following forms, 1 through 4.  

1) Placement Application (2 pages)

2) Emergency Form (2 pages)

3) Statement of Policies Agreement (1 page)

4) Health Inventory  (3 pages) *May be submitted separately but no later than August 30th. 

5) Immunization Form (1 page) *May be submitted separately but no later than August 30th.

6) Blood Lead Test Form (1 page) *May be submitted separately but no later than August 30th.

Mail ALL completed forms and your check/money order made payable to Parkville Recreation Council for $100 (non-refundable, non-transerrable application and supply fee).

ALL forms must be mailed to Villa Cresta Tots, 2600 Rader Ave, Baltimore, MD  21234 to complete the application process. Email villacrestatots@gmail.com with any questions.

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OTHER GENERAL INFORMATION

Volunteering Eligibility

Field Trips and Class Parties

Baltimore County Department of Recreation and Parks has made it mandatory for all adults who come in contact with children in a structured environment to have a background check completed. If you or any other relative age 18 or older would like to volunteer in our program, we need you to complete this as soon as possible. The background check is FREE and takes about 3 minutes to complete. EACH ADULT MUST COMPLETE AN APPLICATION. Volunteers must re-register every year.

Weather Related Closings

Villa Cresta Tots follows the Baltimore County Public School system for our calendar and holiday schedule.  We also adhere to their weather policy which includes late opening and early closing due to inclement weather.  If Baltimore County school system…

• Starts 1 hour late – Tots is open

• Starts 2 hours late – 3’s class is cancelled, ,4’s class  will be open

• Closes 1 hour early – Tots PM class is cancelled, 3s class is open

• Closes 2 hours early – Tots PM class is cancelled, 3s class is open 

• Closes 3 hours early – 3s come to class, 4s class is cancelled

• Closed – Tots is closed

BCPS Now is an app for smartphones which is updated with the status of school closings.

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Supplies List 2023-2024

No backpacks are needed. A folder will be provided to bring daily to class.

For snack time the children can bring a labeled lunch box and we also suggest a reusable thermos/tumbler for their water.   

3-year-old classes:

• 2   4oz. bottle Elmer’s school glue
• 2   packages baby wipes
• 2   containers Lysol/Clorox wipes
• 2   box tissues

4 year old classes:

Please label all supplies with your child's name.

• 1   pencil box (8.25”x5.25”x2”)
• 1   pair of blunt tip FISKARS brand scissors
• 2   4oz. bottle Elmer’s school glue
• 1   16 count box of crayons
• 1   8 count CRAYOLA water paints
• 1   smock (an adult size old T-shirt to cover clothes to knees works great!)
• 2   box tissues
• 2   containers Lysol/Clorox wipes
• 1   disinfectant spray (Lysol, Clorox, etc.)

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From Harford Rd, take Taylor Ave west to Old Harford Rd and turn right. Proceed two blocks and make the 2nd left on to Rader Ave. Drive 2 blocks to Villa Cresta Elementary School on the right. Go to the back parking lot. The Tot's Room is found up the ramp and through the double blue doors.

From Joppa Rd, take Old Harford Rd south to Rader Ave on the right. If you get to Taylor Ave you've gone too far. Turn right and drive 2 blocks to Villa Cresta Elementary on the right. Go to the back parking lot. The Tot's Room can be found up the ramp and through the double blue doors.

From Perring Parkway, take Taylor Ave east to Elmhurst Dr on the left. Turn left on Elmhurst and drive two blocks to see the school directly in front of you. Go to the back parking lot. The Tot's Room can be found up the ramp and through the double blue doors. 

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ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR PARENTS

Tots Emergency Plan

Scholastic Books Ordering

Statement of Policies

Snack Policy

Guide to Regulated Childcare

Villa Cresta Tots ByLaws

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