Curriculum

The Hillsdale Hikers curriculum is inspired by a Charlotte Mason style “nature study” with crafts and activities mixed in to reinforce and enrich learning. The curriculum will be “child led” in that it is flexible and based on students interests and needs. Curriculum will also be “place based” meaning lesson plans may change depending on what is happening at the locations we visit and what time of year it is. Each child will be given their own nature journal on which they can write or draw observations as they become attentive to their surroundings.

Drop Off

On the schedule page of this website is a calendar with locations we plan to explore each week.  These locations are subject to change based on weather or other considerations. I will send out a text message by Thursday night with a pin showing the exact spot where you will need to drop off your child.  Upon arrival please bring your child to the circle time blanket so they will be ready for class to begin.  

Pick Up

Pick up will usually occur in the same spot your child was dropped off unless otherwise indicated. Please park and come to us so that you can walk your child to the car. Make sure to tell a teacher before you sign out and leave so that we don’t have a heart attack thinking that your child has gone missing 🙂.

What to bring

Please send your child with a backpack that they can carry themselves. Inside the backpack should be a healthy snack that they can open independently, as well as a water bottle that won’t spill. Please also include a complete change of clothing including underwear and socks in case of accidents or messy play. Please do not send summer shorts. Mark all clothing including underwear with your child’s name. 

Clothing

“There’s no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing.”

-Alfred Wainwright 

Children should dress in simple, comfortable clothing that they themselves can manipulate (e.g., zip up or button) to help develop independence. Do not send your child in clothes that you wouldn’t want to get messy, as they will not be discouraged from splashing in puddles, rolling down hills, or making mud pies.  

Make sure your child is properly suited for the weather. We will be outside during all kinds of weather and will only cancel class if conditions become unsafe. Thus, please keep an eye on the weather and dress children accordingly, in full waterproof rain attire if rain is possible, or warm snow gear in case of snowy or cold conditions. Layers are your friend! Please send extra clothing for your child in their backpack clearly labeled.

Punctuality

Please arrive 5-10 minutes before the class starts to allow time for goodbyes. Pick your preschooler up promptly to alleviate any anxiety and allow the teacher and co-op parent time to clean up and tend to other responsibilities. It is understandable that there may be occasional delays due to personal emergencies or transportation difficulties. If this occurs at drop off or pick up please call or text Ashley at (801) 633-4158 with an ETA so she can plan accordingly. 

Co-op

Parents are required to assist the teacher (“co-op”) 1-3 times during the semester depending on how many children are in the class. Please find other care for siblings during this time so that you can focus on assisting the teacher and children. If a sitter can not be found an additional child may join the class for the day, however a $7 fee will be charged. A child small enough to be in a carrier may come along for free.

I will send out a request for each parent's availability and date conflicts and create and assign the co-op schedule at the beginning of each semester. If you find yourself unavailable to co-op on a day for which you are scheduled for whatever reason, it is your responsibility to find a co-op parent replacement and to notify the teacher of the change.

When you are the co-oping parent, please arrive 10-15 minutes early so you can help set up and be there to make sure everyone is signed in and ready when class begins. 

Co-op parents will help to make sure that all kids are accounted for and if needed escorted to circle time. As kids are being dropped off, co-op parents need to be fully aware of their surroundings and make sure kids are safe and out of traffic or parking areas. 

Kids are required to carry their own backpack and gear, but often need reminders and help stuffing their packs. While on trails, it is typical for the kids to separate into smaller groups. Co-op parents and the teacher should work together to make sure an adult takes the lead group and another brings up the tail. Encourage kids to take healthy risks while assessing each situation for true safety concerns. 

Co-op parents will help sanitize hands prior to lunch and help to clean up art or lunch sites so our Hillsdale Hikers ‘leave no trace.’ The co-op parents should stay until all children have been picked up by an approved pickup person and are excused by the teacher.

Enrollment and Tuition

To complete enrollment with Hillsdale Hikers please fill out the registration form by clicking on the "Register" tab at the top of this page.

Tuition and Fees

Tuition is $65/child paid monthly and is due by the first class of every month. 

There is also a $15 materials fee paid one time in September, or it can be split into 3 parts. Just add $5 to each monthly payment.

For families: First child is full price, any additional children will receive a 10% discount.

How to Pay Tuition:

1. Cash or Check: Please hand it to the teacher at the beginning of class or you can mail it to Ashley Parker 316 Wright Street Jonesville Mi, 49250.

*Please use an envelope and clearly mark your child’s name so the teacher can remember who has paid*

 .

2. Venmo: Please choose “payment between friends” in

order for the transaction to be free. Otherwise there is a

service charge that you will incur. Download the Venmo

app on your phone and pay.

Ashley’s account is: @Ashley-Aland

Credit is not given for sickness, snow days, or family holidays.

Medical and Emergency Policies

The health and illness policy of Hillsdale Hikers is designed to promote the health and wellness of all students. To ensure a healthy school environment, parents are asked to keep their children at home for the following reasons:

1. Child has a fever or has had one during the previous 24 hours. To attend, the child must be fever free without medication.

2. Child has a contagious illness and is within 24 hours of starting

antibiotics.

3. Child has thrown up or had diarrhea within the previous 24 hours.

4. Child is experiencing a cold or some sickness that is pulling down

their energy level and ability to participate.

5. Child has red eyes, an unfamiliar rash, or lice and nits in hair.

6. Child is complaining of an upset stomach and/or headache.

Children will always be given hand sanitizer before eating to prevent illness from spreading.

In some cases, children need to be sent home early if an illness develops while they are at school. The following may be reasons a child may be sent home:

1. Significant changes in a child’s activity level or behavior that prevents the child from comfortably participating in routine activities.

2. Symptoms of illness such as excessive coughing, breathing difficulties, diarrhea, vomiting, loss of appetite, etc.

3. Changes in how the body temperature feels to the touch or a temperature of 100 degrees or higher

4. Consistent complaints of ear or stomach pain

5. Bleeding other than minor injuries

6. Chicken pox or other communicable disease

7. Unexplained rash, lice, poison ivy, or bee stings

It is very important that we are able to reach a parent when a child is sick and needs to be sent home. Please keep the school informed if your

contact information changes.

Please notify the school if your child will not be in attendance. We do not give refunds or credits for illness or absences.

Medical Injuries

In case of a serious accident or sudden illness requiring medical attention,

the following procedures will be followed:

1. Child’s parents (or emergency contacts) are called and will be asked to immediately pick up their child

2. The school will keep in close contact with the family.

3. In the rare situation that an ambulance needs to be called, parents will be responsible for all costs involved in the medical treatment including emergency transportation if required.

For minor injuries such as bumps, cuts and bruises, we will provide first aid

care. Parents will be notified when warranted.