Frequently Asked Questions

Happy Feet is a licensed preschool and extended care center in Foster City, CA. We offer Montessori-inspired learning for children aged 18 months and above, along with full-day extended care and an after-school pickup service for school-age children.

We are located in Foster City, CA-94404. Please contact us for the exact address — we'll share it when you schedule your tour. We're centrally located with easy access and free parking.

Yes. Happy Feet is a fully licensed childcare facility in the state of California. All staff are CPR and First Aid certified, background-checked, and trained in early childhood development and child safety protocols.

Absolutely! We encourage all families to schedule a free tour before enrolling. It's the best way to see our space, meet the team, and get a feel for the Happy Feet environment. Contact us to arrange a convenient time.

We offer three programs: (1) Preschool Program — Montessori-inspired mornings for children 18 months and above; (2) Extended Care — full-day care from 7 AM to 6:30 PM with meals included; and (3) After-School Pickup — safe school collection and supervised afternoon enrichment for school-age children.

Our youngest children join from 18 months of age. Our Little Explorers group is specifically designed for toddlers, with a very gentle, sensory-rich, play-based approach to group learning.

Montessori is a child-led educational philosophy that focuses on hands-on learning, freedom within structure, and following the child's natural curiosity. Rather than one-size-fits-all teaching, children choose their work, build independence, and develop at their own pace using specially designed materials.

Yes! This is our most popular option — the Full Day programme. Children transition seamlessly from morning preschool to afternoon extended care with no second drop-off needed. It's the ideal solution for working families.

Safety is our top priority. Our facility is fully licensed, with secure entry, constant supervision, and strict visitor policies. All staff are CPR and First Aid certified, background-checked, and trained in child safeguarding. We maintain a low teacher-to-child ratio so no child is ever unsupervised.

Only individuals listed on your authorised pickup list at enrollment may collect your child. We verify ID for anyone we don't recognise. If there are changes to your pickup authorisations, please notify us in writing in advance.

We contact parents immediately in the event of an illness or accident. For minor incidents, our First Aid certified staff provide immediate care. For anything requiring medical attention, we follow your emergency contacts and protocols provided at enrollment. An incident report is completed and shared with parents.

Allergy information is collected at enrollment and communicated to all staff. We accommodate common dietary requirements and serious allergies. For children with severe allergies (e.g. anaphylaxis), we require an action plan from your doctor and an EpiPen on-site if prescribed.

We are open Monday through Friday. Early drop-off starts at 7:00 AM. The preschool morning session runs until 12:30 PM. Extended Care continues until 6:30 PM. We are closed on Saturdays, Sundays, and major public holidays.

The latest pickup time is 6:30 PM. If you anticipate being late, please notify us as early as possible. Late pickup fees may apply for collections after 6:30 PM.

We are closed on major US public holidays. We also close for a short winter break in December. A calendar of closure dates is shared at enrollment and sent out in advance each term. We aim to give families as much notice as possible.

A morning snack is included for preschool children. Extended Care includes a nutritious lunch and an afternoon snack. All meals are planned around healthy, balanced nutrition. Menus rotate weekly and are shared with families in advance.

Yes. We cater for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and other common dietary needs. Please inform us of all requirements at enrollment and we will do our best to accommodate. For severe allergies, please see our safety policy.

Yes, children may bring a packed lunch if you prefer. We ask that all packed lunches are nut-free to protect children with allergies. Please avoid items with strong odours or excessive sugar. We provide a fridge and microwave for storage and warming.

Yes, we accept enrollment throughout the year subject to availability. We recommend enquiring as early as possible as spaces — especially for younger age groups — fill up quickly. Contact us to check current availability.

You'll need your child's birth certificate, immunisation records, a recent photo, doctor's contact information, emergency contact details, and any allergy or medical notes. Full details are provided after your initial enquiry.

Yes! Mid-year enrollment is welcome. We have a gentle settling-in process to ensure your child feels comfortable from day one, regardless of when they start. Contact us and we'll guide you through the process.

Fees depend on the program, number of days, and your child's age group. We share full pricing during your initial consultation or tour. There are no hidden fees — everything is transparent and discussed upfront. Sibling discounts are available.

There is no fee to enquire or book a tour. Any applicable registration fees are discussed at enrollment and are kept minimal. We believe cost should not be a barrier to great childcare.

Yes! Families enrolling more than one child receive a sibling discount. Please ask about current discount rates when you contact us — we want to make Happy Feet accessible for your whole family.

We ask for a notice period of 30 days if you need to withdraw your child from the programme. This is discussed fully in our enrollment agreement. We understand circumstances change and always try to be understanding and flexible.