OUR TUITION POLICY

1.  Application Processing Fee & Class Security Deposit

To confirm your child’s enrollment at Highlands Early Learning Centre, the following are required upon acceptance of an offered spot:

• Application Processing Fee: A non-refundable fee of $125 per child, payable via PayPal at www.highlandselc.ca.

• Class Security Deposit: A security deposit equal to one month’s tuition for the 2-year-old class or $200 for the 3- and 4-year-old classes will be processed through Kindertales pre authorized debit.

You will receive an email from the Registrar confirming your child’s class placement, along with additional registration instructions.

 

2.  Tuition Payments
Starting January 2025, Highlands Early Learning Centre will use Kindertales, our new management system, for tuition billing and payment processing.

• Parents are required to create an account on Kindertales and enter all necessary information, including payment details for direct debit withdrawal.

• Tuition payments will be automatically processed on the 1st of each month.

• A $10 NSF fee will be charged for any payments that cannot be processed due to insufficient funds.

 

3.  Withdrawals Policy

For 2-Year-Old Classes:

• The security deposit is non-refundable in all cases of withdrawal, including:

  • Withdrawal before the preschool year begins.

  • Withdrawal during the preschool year.

  • Failure to provide tuition payments as outlined.

• If your child completes the preschool year, the deposit will be applied to June’s tuition.

For 3- and 4-Year-Old Classes:

• Highlands Early Learning Centre participates in the Universal Child Care Prototype Site $10 a Day ChildCareBC Program until March 2026.

  • Withdrawal Policy while under the $10 a Day Program:

    • Upon withdrawal, the deposit (or a portion thereof) will be refunded after deducting any outstanding fees.

    • If your child completes the preschool year, the full deposit will be refunded after final childcare fees for June have been processed and cleared through Kindertales.

  • Withdrawal Policy if the $10 a Day Program ends:

    • The security deposit is non-refundable in all cases of withdrawal, including:

      • Withdrawal before the preschool year begins.

      • Withdrawal during the preschool year.

      • Failure to provide tuition payments as outlined.

    • If your child completes the preschool year, the deposit will be applied to June’s tuition.

General Withdrawal Policy:

• For withdrawals on or after August 1, Highlands Early Learning Centre requires one full calendar month’s written notice (“Notice Period”), submitted by the 1st day of the preceding month (“Notice Requirement”).

• Tuition will be charged during the Notice Period, and your child may attend preschool during this time.

• Add-On Classes: There will be no proration or refunds for Add-On Classes in the event of withdrawal.

Notice Waiver:

• The Notice Requirement may be waived if the preschool is able to fill your child’s spot during the withdrawal month. If the spot is filled, a refund will be issued starting from the date the spot is taken, with any partial month calculated on a half-month basis.

Submitting Notice:

• Notice of withdrawal must be submitted to the Executive Director or Registrar via hand delivery, mail, or email.

​

4.  Probationary Notice

At HELC, we are committed to supporting every child’s success. However, there may be instances where the preschool environment is determined to be an unsuitable fit for a child, despite our best efforts. In such cases, the following probationary process will apply:

1. Notice Period: Families will receive a one-month probationary notice. During this time, the preschool team will work closely with the child and family to address any challenges and develop strategies for improvement.

2. Personalized Support Plan: The Executive Director will create a tailored support plan, outlining specific goals and actionable steps to help the child thrive. Parents are required to actively participate in implementing the plan, including regular communication and collaboration with teachers and staff.

3. Evaluation: At the end of the one-month probationary period, the child’s progress will be evaluated. If the child demonstrates improvement and is able to meet the expectations of the preschool environment, probation will end.

4. Immediate Withdrawal: In severe cases, where a child’s behavior or needs pose a risk to the safety or well-being of others, the preschool reserves the right to require immediate withdrawal. Such decisions will be made thoughtfully and with careful consultation.

5. Next Steps: If significant challenges remain after the probationary period and the preschool is unable to meet the child’s needs, the family may be asked to withdraw from the program. Alternatively, parents may choose to withdraw their child at any time during the probationary period.

 

We believe in working collaboratively with families to support every child. This policy ensures that decisions are made thoughtfully and with the child’s and community’s best interests in mind.

 

5.  Class Changes

Students who did not receive their first choice of classes will be permitted to move to another class if a space becomes available before October 31st. After October 31st, any vacancies will be offered to families outside the preschool.

​

6.  Late Pick-Up Charge
To ensure the smooth operation of our preschool, children must be picked up promptly at the end of their class. Late pick-ups will incur the following charges:

• $30 per child for pick-ups within 15 minutes after dismissal time.

• $50 per child for pick-ups exceeding 30 minutes after dismissal time.

Late pick-up fees will be automatically processed through Kindertales via pre-authorized payment (PAD) within 2–3 business days of the late pick-up date. These charges ensure that staff can maintain a well-structured schedule and are fairly compensated for their time.

​

7.  Missed Payments:

To ensure timely tuition payments, the following policy applies:

• A $10 administrative fee will be charged by Kindertales for any missed payments, in addition to the missed tuition amount.

• If two payments are missed, future tuition must be paid in cash. Alternatively, the preschool may require the withdrawal of your child from the program.

Parents are responsible for keeping their Kindertales account updated with accurate payment information. Additionally, parents must notify the Executive Director of any changes to banking details to prevent missed payments and associated fees.