Class Policies & FAQs
What should I expect when we come to class?
Enjoy a fun group activity with a trained Tinkergarten Teacher. We will sing, move, learn and play together!
At each one hour long class, you will enjoy our opening circle time during which we learn about a featured creature, followed by a guided open-ended activity, before coming back together for closing circle. Guides (our name for the adults) are always encouraged to model for explorers (kids) and join in the play!
Lessons have been carefully designed to help kids become healthy, curious, capable learners by exploring the outside world.
What ages does the program serve?
The program is designed for children ages 1.5-8yrs old, and families enjoy nature focused play in mixed age classes. Children younger and older than that age range are welcome to enroll and families are encouraged to attend a trial class to see if it is a good fit for their explorer.
Mixed age play has been proven to have many benefits for younger and older children alike. For more information see, this short video and article from Tinkergarten.
Where do classes meet?
All classes meet at Roger Williams Park, located at 1000 Elmwood Ave, Providence RI. If you are an enrolled family or coming to a trial, precise location details will be provided in your pre-class email.
What happens in inclement weather?
Classes will be held in most weathers in keeping with the philosophy 'no bad weather, only bad clothes.' During inclement weather we may use the Temple to Music at Roger Williams Park as shelter.
However, there is some weather that would be unsafe or impractical to hold class in. Decisions about whether it is safe to hold class are determined using local weather guidance and a weather chart at least 90 minutes prior to class, and families will be notified at this time by email and text message. In the event of cancellation due to weather, the teacher will determine if it is possible to hold the class at another time the same week, or at the end of the season.
Can families try a class before enrolling in the program?
Families are invited to attend attend a trial class prior to enrolling at the special trial rate of $10 per child during any in-season class subject to availability. One trial class is available per family.
Pre-registration is required for all trials and may be done on the trial classes page.
If you decide to enroll in a season class following your trial, class costs can be prorated according to the number of classes remaining.
Can siblings attend?
Siblings under 18 months of age are welcome to attend class and do not need to be registered. Please be aware that unregistered siblings will not have individual materials prepped for them. All siblings over 18 months must be registered and a family rate is available.
If a sibling needs to attend due to scheduling change (eg. day off at school), they can attend up to two classes without enrolling at no cost (this is with the exception of the summer season when additional siblings must be registered). Families are asked to notify the teacher in advance if an extra child needs to attend a class so they can prepare any necessary materials. Please DO NOT bring a sibling to class who is home from school due to contagious illness. This is to keep all our explorers safe and healthy!
Can I drop my child off?
No. Each child must be accompanied by their parent or caregiver, who assumes sole responsibility for their child(ren) for the duration of the class.
Are refunds offered?
For Fall, Winter and Spring season classes, if a refund is requested five business days before the first class of the season, families can receive a full refund (minus a 10% processing fee) or credit towards a future season.
If a refund is requested less than five business days before the FIRST class, and before the THIRD class, families can receive a refund for half of the value of the remaining classes in the season, minus a 10% processing fee. No refunds or credits will be offered after the THIRD class of the season has been completed.
For Summer Season classes, where flexible class packs are offered, the above refund policy applies only to six or eight class packs. Four class packs may be refunded up to five days before the season starts minus the 10% processing fee, but will be non-refundable after this time.
Trial class fees of $10 per child are non-refundable but, if for some reason you are unable to attend your trial class, you may apply your payment as credit and complete your trial on another date. Please contact me at natureplaywithvicky@gmail.com to reschedule.
Special bonus classes, pop ups and drop ins are non-refundable, the only exception being if the class needs to be cancelled by the teacher in which case you will receive a full refund.
Are credits or refunds offered for missed classes?
Credits and refunds are not offered for classes missed by families. Enrolled families can purchase a discounted subscription to Tinkergarten Home for $5 per month, and can utilize that content at home if they miss a live class.
If, due to personal reasons, sickness or emergencies, a class needs to be cancelled by the teacher, the teacher will always attempt to reschedule the class for a different day or add the class to the end of the season. If more than 1 class in one season needs to be canceled by the teacher without rescheduling, families are eligible for a refund for those canceled classes.
How do teachers foster a safe learning environment during class?
Each explorer (child) is accompanied by a guide (parent or caregiver). Teachers support guides and do all that they reasonably can to provide a learning environment that allows for safe risk-taking.
Teachers bring a First Aid Kit to class, which can be utilized by guides (attending adults) if needed.
A few, simple rules help to address most situations:
Explorers (children) can explore on their own as long as they can still see and hear their guide or the Teacher.
If explorers are taking physical risks, we check in to make sure that they feel sturdy and safe in their risk-taking.
Teachers may give clear redirection if or when safety and the safety of friends in the class could be compromised. For example, we celebrate that sticks are the #1 toy of all time, but we make sure that our sticks have plenty of space so they do not touch our friends' bodies. Ultimately, over time, we want to help children learn how to learn their limits while still playing in a way that keeps them and their friends out of true harm.
We encourage children not to put nature treasures in their mouths. If a wee one is doing so as a natural part of exploring the world, we work with their guide to try to honor that need in the safest way possible.
What is the approach to health/illness safety in classes?
Outdoor spaces are the safest spaces in which to come together and play! We can let kids know these extra steps help keep us and our friends even more safe.
BEFORE CLASS: If you and/or your child(ren) are feeling ill, please stay home. This may include symptoms of, but is not limited to, upset stomach, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, cough, or sneezing not caused by allergies. We want to model and keep a respectful, considerate and healthy environment for all attending families.
DURING CLASS: When temperatures are above 50 degrees, there will be soap and water provided for all participants to wash hands before class and as needed. Eating and drinking is only permitted in our circle and individual nests.
We follow CDC Guidelines with respect to COVID-19. Please be mindful of other families who may wish to hold personal space, and remind your explorer to try to maintain a 3 foot bubble unless you are sure another family is comfortable with them being closer.
How are photos used?
Photographs are taken during class and shared with families in a post-class email. From time to time, photographs may also be used to illustrate learning concepts and promote outdoor play and playful learning on my website or in other materials/media. Before I would use any photo in that way, I secure your permission upon enrollment or ask directly to the parent/caregiver of the child(ren) and adults in the photo.
Parents often choose to share pictures of their kids and themselves at play across social media, as they do with many other kids activities. I respect that those choices are up to the individual, parent and/or caregiver.
I enrolled in classes! What happens next?
Thank you for enrolling!
You will receive an enrollment confirmation email within 24 hours of sending your registration form AND payment. Payment can be made via Venmo (Victoria Griffiths @natureplaywithvicky, last four digits 2370). Please note that your place in class is not secure until both of these have been received and you should contact me directly if you are unable to pay via Venmo to arrange an alternative method of payment.
Your confirmation email will include any pertinent information about the class, including directions to our meeting spot, and a release of liability waiver for you to print and sign (this must be completed prior to the first class).
If you have any other questions or concerns not covered in these FAQs, please contact me directly at natureplaywithvicky@gmail.com