Parent Resources
About
Hello, current and future preschool parents! Please find copies of the enrollment application, parent handbook, and other information regarding policies and procedures below. If you still have a question or need help, don’t hesitate to contact us! We’re happy to assist.
IMPORTANT POLICIES AND INFORMATION
Drop-In Days
Drop-in care for unscheduled days is dependent upon space availability in the given program. The Education Director must be contacted and approve the drop-in request prior to registration. Once approved, the parent/guardian may sign-in to their online portal and register for the drop-in day. Payment must be submitted before enrollment is guaranteed.
Refund Policy
A non-refundable deposit of the $100, along with a $35 registration activity fee, is required for registration and to secure a space in child care programs. Child care tuition fees are non-refundable. COVID-19: The COMO Team follows stringent cleaning and sanitizing procedures as outlined by NAEYC and the CDC so as to reduce the exposure to COVID-19 to safeguard both the children in our care, and our team. This is our commitment to you. In turn, we ask that families adhere to CDC recommendations in their everyday activities in conjunction with the daily efforts of the COMO Team. Despite all our best efforts, there may be times when COMO childcare is required to close to follow quarantine guidelines set forth by Ledgelight Health District and the Office of Early Childhood. When childcare is closed and in quarantine, the COMO’s staffing and operational expenses do not change. In an effort to avert a fiscal crisis, as well as, continue to hold a child’s space in the program while also providing compensation to our teachers and staff, when the COMO is required to close childcare for quarantine, tuition will continue to be applied per our billing cycle and there will be no reimbursement for time missed.
Tuition Payments & Billing Options
Tuition is prepaid on a monthly basis. All payments are due 4 days prior to the month prior to participation. Monthly payments for childcare programs are averages based upon the year’s tuition. All tuition-based programs require enrollment in automatic billing. To ensure consistent, on-time tuition payments and reduce administrative costs, the COMO uses automatic bank draft (ACH) as our standard method of payment for all education and child care tuition-based programs including preschool and COMO Kids before and after school care. Upon enrollment, each family is asked to provide valid checking or savings account information in their Daxko profile. Tuition will be debited from the authorized account on a recurring basis according to the published tuition schedule regardless of the child’s attendance, holidays, or center closures except where otherwise stated in the parent handbook. Families are responsible for ensuring that sufficient funds are available in the designated account on the scheduled draft date and for promptly notifying COMO in writing of any changes to their banking information. If you are unable to maintain a bank account or require a reasonable accommodation related to the payment method, you should contact the Chief Executive Officer in writing to discuss an alternative arrangement. Alternative arrangements are granted at COMO’s discretion and may require payment in full in advance. Please note: Registration is not complete until payment in full has been received for all programs. Auto-renew membership is required for participation in all tuition-based programming. Memberships will auto-renew while participants are active in tuition-based programming.
In an effort to make child care accessible to all, a 10% sibling discount is available. Families with more than one child enrolled in a tuition-based program, may receive 10% off the lower-priced sibling(s) tuition if all children are enrolled in tuition-based programs at the same time. Use the code ADDSIBLING10 when registering. Applies to additional registrations only.
The COMO also participates in the state’s Care4Kids financial aid program for income eligible families. Please call the office at 860-535-2476 if interested.
Schedule a Visit
To schedule a preschool visit, fill out the following form with your information and when you would like to come to the COMO to see us! Our Education Director, Olga Callahan, will reach out to schedule a time that will work best for you. You may also reach her directly at 860-535-2476, ext. 102, or o.popovacallahan@thecomo.org.
Thank you for considering the Doris Muller Preschool at the COMO. . . We can’t wait to meet you!
Articles and Links for Parents
- About Preschool Assessment Development (PAD) Screenings
Testimonials
Wonderful teachers, led by an amazing director (Priscilla) who truly care and pay attention to each kid’s needs!
We love the balance of social and academic at the program and how wonderful all the teachers are. Stella loves going to school everyday, and as a parent that makes you feel good.
Our family loves the COMO preschool. Three of our children have gone through the program and I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a well rounded program for their child. The teachers are hands on and make connections with every child they come in contact with. Our children were prepared for Kindergarten when they left and still talk about their days at the COMO with pride and love.
The entire Como preschool staff is amazing! Caring, kind, professional, and provided a safe and fostering environment to learn and develop good relationships with the teachers and other students. The Como created a safe environment despite the COVID pandemic and we are grateful for the dedication the teachers and support staff have put forth to make sure our little ones continue to learn and be happy!
My children received a strong foundation through COMO Preschool that well prepared them for their transitions into Kindergarten.
We could not be more pleased with our Preschool experience at the Como. The teachers are wonderful and truly care about the children. And the kids love going!
We truly wish we could continue attending the Como preschool. We have had both our kids attend the COMO preschool over the past 5 years. From day one, we were extremely pleased with the program. Fast forward 5 years and the program, staff, curriculum, environment and facility continue to get better and better each year. The glue that holds it all together and continues to drive the program forward… that keeps surpassing our expectations…Ms. Priscilla!! She has grown every aspect of the COMO program. She has created a stellar team of kind, invested, passionate teachers that continue to not only introduce kids to standard education, but they introduce the kids to the whole world around them and what it has to offer. Art, science, language, math…they are not just teaching kids the basics, they are teaching all the different ways the world (and education) it can be viewed and interpreted. We will miss attending the COMO preschool, but we will not be going far! They have a wonderful variety of after school programs and extracurriculars we can’t wait to start. Keep up the fantastic job of providing quality programs for our community!!
The Como preschool program, including every member of the organization from the teachers, to the administration, coaches, volunteers, and office staff are among the best in our community. We are lucky to have this program in our town, and my children were lucky to be a part of it. Throughout this upside down year, the help and support through all of it they extended to the members gave us such a peace of mind going forward. I will always recommend the como!
“I love that your staff isn’t just doing a “job” they really care and enjoy their work and it shows. You have an amazing program :)”
“We just loved the Como’s preschool program and teachers! My child was engaged and challenged every day and the staff was bar none!”
”That staff is absolutely amazing. They make the kids (and parents) feel happy, safe and loved. Everyone is always in great spirits, attentive and welcoming. The curriculum is more than I could have asked for. Kids learn the basic intro to school education, plus a wide range of out-side the box, creative, imaginative education. They learn about the world around them and how to look at it, care for it and search for it in other locations. They have become adventurous and eager to show/tell me all they have learned. My kids have been so happy here over the years. I have seen the program grow and blossom into a fantastic community center for all ages. Keep it up!!”
“We absolutely love the Como preschool. Ms Priscilla is amazing. Our son loves her and we love everything about the program. They do an amazing job. They go above and beyond to make you and your children feel comfortable and meet special needs.”
“My daughter wakes up excited to come to preschool every day! The genuine feeling of caring and community that the COMO fosters, under the amazing guidance of Priscilla, in unmatched!”
“We love the COMO and it really prepared our first child very well for kindergarten. Excited to see the growth with our second son now!”
“Our girls have gone to the como preschool for a total of four wonderful years. We have nothing but the highest praise for this program and for Ms. Priscilla. The teachers have been very nurturing and encouraging to the children. They help the class work together and think creatively. Many thanks for all they have done to prepare these children for the adventures to come.”
“We love Como and all it has to offer!! Everyone there is so great with the kids, its all and then-some that you could ever ask for in a pre-school!”
“Well-run, comprehensive preschool program run by warm, caring staff. Would highly recommend!”
“Last night, I asked Elliott what he would miss about the COMO this summer and, without skipping a beat, he said ‘my teachers.’ Then followed by ‘my rock in the COMO garden, and watching the flowers and vegetables grow in the COMO garden.’ So, thank you again to you and your team for being such great influence on him. Bring on next year.”
“The preschool at the Stonington COMO has always been near and dear to my heart not just because that’s where our children went but because of the staff there. They’ve made it a positive experience for our kids, and as parents, that’s ultimately what we want for them. The atmosphere has always been one that is nurturing and patient, and as we all well know, patience is definitely required when dealing with small children. The ‘changing of the guard’ if you will, was more of a challenge for parents than for the children and I think that speaks volumes about the abilities of those employed there now. Wisdom comes with experience and we have only to gain from the group of people that make the Como preschool an enriching, nurturing, and pleasant place to be. I for one am feeling blessed to have had the opportunity to send our children there. Thank you Miss Priscilla, Mrs. Bucko, Mr. Joe, Mr. Justin, and Mr. Alex!”
As Educational Consultant for the COMO Preschool Program, I regularly observe the program and communicate with staff to provide educational support and feedback. I am confident in recommending this program to community families who seek a quality preschool program that will prepare their child for success in kindergarten. I feel the strengths of this preschool are as follows:• The classroom allows children to interact with one another within learning centers
• Children are engaged and happy
• Qualified preschool staff demonstrates commitment to and love for teaching.
• A developmentally appropriate curriculum uses teaching strategies to encourage children to explore and learn through a variety of hands-on experiences
• A variety of multi-sensory activities are planned utilizing the COMO facility, staff and community resources
• Ongoing communication with families promotes center-family partnerships to ensure the best possible learning experience for their children.
“The preschool program at the COMO goes far beyond my expectations. I have 4 children and have experienced three different programs in different parts of the US and the COMO preschool rates the best out of the three. My son was in Birth to Three, then transitioned to another local preschool program, but Ms. Priscilla has done wonders for him. She and her staff, especially Ms. Rachel and Mr. Alex, are amazing with him as well. The interaction with him and myself show they care and they always follow up when I express a concern. There is an open dialog where we all can make suggestions. I feel his needs are being met and he will leave here with a positive experience. I have a younger son and will only register him at the COMO when the time comes for preschool enrollment. Thank you to Ms. Priscilla, her staff and the COMO for a wonderful program!”
“This program continues to exceed any expectation I may have had. I am confident my daughter will be more than ready to begin Kindergarten next year. I would like to thank the teachers for ensuring a positive experience that created a desire to learn.”
“The COMO Preschool program is a wonderful experience for young children. It introduces them into the learning environment in a relaxed, nurturing and positive manner. My child was very nervous initially but was given a lot of support and encouragement by the excellent staff. Now, going to COMO is the highlight of her day. It has also prepared her for the transition to school. Excellent facility!”
“I just wanted to take the time to thank you and your staff for a great two years of preschool. Sarah really loved it and looked forward to going everyday and as she would put it, ‘I don’t like preschool, I love it!’ I feel as though she is well prepared for kindergarten and it was great that you incorporated the specials such as music, art, gym and Spanish into their schedule. I also enjoyed the option to do the five days a week and also extended day when needed, I felt as though this also prepared her for kindergarten and she loved staying for lunch with the teachers and her friends.”
