Currently we operate from 8am-5pm and ask that all students are dropped off and picked up at semi regular times each day to maintain routine.

We believe in being upfront about our prices and how money is being spent. The rates we have set up are as follows:

Payments and fees- 

Current rates: Payments are for the month in advance and due by the 6th of every month.

Choose how many days of care you need for your child and pay for your spot in preschool

Infant (Under two years old): Daily rate: $100

1 day a week-$100---------------------------------------Monthly payment-$400

2 days a week-$200--------------------------------------Monthly payment-$800

3 days a week-$300--------------------------------------Monthly payment-$1,200

4 days a week-$400--------------------------------------Monthly payment- $1,600

5 days a week-$500--------------------------------------Monthly payment-$2,000

Child (Two years or older) Daily rate: $75

1 day a week-$75 ----------------------------------------Monthly payment-$300

2 days a week-$150--------------------------------------Monthly payment-$600

3 days a week-$225--------------------------------------Monthly payment-$900

4 days a week-$300--------------------------------------Monthly payment-$1,200

5 days a week-$375--------------------------------------Monthly payment-$1,500

Understanding Childcare Costs: A Transparent Approach

The rising costs of childcare are a significant concern in Central Oregon, and we understand the frustration, especially for single-income families or those with challenging work schedules. As parents ourselves, we are committed to shedding light on the complexities of childcare, so families and providers can better understand each other's challenges. The cost of childcare often goes beyond the common explanation of "it's just the economy," and we’d like to take a moment to break it down.

For example, if you have a preschooler attending full-time, you might be paying $1,500 a month. When broken down, this equates to about $8.34 per hour for their care (based on a 9-hour day). This rate is not only below minimum wage but also far more cost-effective than hiring a professional nanny, whose services typically cost around $25 per hour or more. Here’s the math:

• $8.34 per hour x 9 hours/day x 5 days/week x approx. 4 weeks/month = $1,501.20

We average the months with 5 weeks and maintain a consistent monthly rate, so you always know exactly what to expect.

Provider Perspective: The Hidden Costs

As a childcare provider, we must account for numerous expenses to ensure quality care for every child. These include:

• Cleaning and Maintenance Supplies: Paper towels, toilet paper, dish soaps, and other essential items.

• Groceries: Between $2,000 and $3,000 per month to provide nutritious meals for the children.

• First Aid & Safety: Required and recommended safety devices, as well as first aid supplies.

• Laundering: Bed sheets, pillowcases, children's clothes, stuffed toys, and other sanitation needs.

• Training and Certifications: Staff must complete 15 hours of training per year, with courses costing between $10 and $60 each, in addition to inspections ($300-$500 per visit).

• Licensing Fees: These vary based on the type of license and are charged annually.

• Educational Supplies: Sleeping mats, blankets, toys, crafts, and other materials for learning and development.

• Furniture Maintenance: With 10-16 children, furniture wears out quickly.

• Emergency Care Supplies: Inspected fire extinguishers, CPR masks, emergency bags, and other safety equipment.

• Lawn Care: Maintaining the grounds due to heavy foot traffic.

• Utilities and Rent: High utility bills and rent prices significantly impact our operating costs.

• Staffing: We prioritize fair compensation for our staff based on their qualifications and experience, offering more than minimum wage whenever possible. We are unique as we have a professional crafter on staff as well as an infant specialist, professional grants writer and professional chef.

As a family-run preschool, we understand the importance of balance and ensuring that our team has time for rest and paid time off, which is crucial to maintaining a healthy work environment. While the list of expenses may be extensive, it’s likely that you are already familiar with some of these costs.

Our Commitment to Affordability and Support

To help ease the burden of childcare costs, we are actively working on a plan to lower our tuition rates over the next few years and hope that other childcare providers will follow suit. Currently, we offer 5 spots (out of 16) at a reduced rate based on family needs. We are committed to working with families, provided it is fair to all parties involved.

Additionally, our school is partnering with NeighborImpact to explore grant funding and other resources to support families in need. We also have a professional grant writer on staff to help secure funding to offset childcare costs. However, it’s important to note that grant funding is not a sustainable solution, and we would never compromise the quality of our services or risk losing our dedicated staff due to a lack of funding.

Transparency and Communication

At Little Seba's, we believe in being transparent about our tuition fees—something that is not always common practice in the industry. We value open communication and honesty, as they are the foundation of a successful relationship between families and providers. We treat every child with the care and respect we would our own, and we strive to foster a sense of trust within our community. This is what sets us apart and makes Little Seba's unique.

No! We provide meals and snacks for all children! Little Seba's is a tight community and parents often bring in community snacks such as seaweed, crackers, applesauce, etc. though it is never required.

We also provide wipes for children who are in diapers, sunscreen, bedding, and more! However, if your child requires anything specialized, you must provide your own.

Supporting Children with Diverse Needs

At Little Seba’s, we recognize and embrace the unique needs of each child in our program. Our community includes children with a variety of sensory preferences, as well as those who may have experienced traumatic backgrounds. In situations where a child is struggling with behavior, we maintain close communication with parents and guardians to collaboratively determine the best course of action.

We take a proactive and supportive approach to discipline, viewing challenging behavior as an opportunity for the child to communicate an unmet need. In these instances, we work to address the root cause of the behavior in a constructive manner. Often, we offer children a brief respite by allowing them to sit near a teacher and engage in a calm discussion about their actions and their consequences.

When a child’s behavior poses a risk of harm to themselves or others, we employ strategies to minimize potential harm while maintaining a safe and supportive environment. In some cases, we utilize calming tools such as a sensory swing, outdoor punching bag, or chew toys to help the child release built-up frustration and regain composure.

Our goal is always to ensure that every child feels heard, supported, and safe, while fostering an environment where they can learn and grow.

Here's a more professional revision of your message:

Staffing and Child-to-Teacher Ratios at Little Seba's

Currently, Little Seba's maintains a ratio of 3 teachers for every 10 students, ranging in age from infants to 5 years old. As we continue to grow, our commitment is to uphold low teacher-to-student ratios in order to provide the highest quality of care and attention for each child.

In the coming months, Little Seba's will be hiring an additional staff member to support the management of our newly certified licensing. With this certification, we are now authorized to care for up to 16 children, and our staff-to-child ratio will be adjusted to 1 teacher for every 4 children. This change will allow us to continue offering individualized attention while meeting the needs of all children in our care.

We remain dedicated to maintaining a nurturing environment that supports the developmental needs of every child, while adhering to the highest standards of care.

Yes! However, co-payments may be required

We try and stay open as often as possible for our hard working families! We do allow 2 weeks out of the year for personal vacation times and provide notice well in advance. Little Seba’s will be closed for some major holidays. We rarely close for weather but ask families to use their common sensibilities when deciding to drop your child off during intense storms and unpredictable weather.

We do! While we recognize that pets may not be suitable for every family, for many, they enhance the atmosphere of our school. We have two cats: Toulouse, a sociable ginger tabby who occasionally interacts with the children, and Freyja, a more reserved cat who prefers to remain out of sight during the day. Additionally, we have a Rex rabbit named Ivan, who enjoys roaming the yard in warmer months and is brought indoors during colder weather. All of our animals are up to date on their vaccinations and have been approved for inclusion in our childcare program.

No! We are perfectly equipped to help your child learn bathroom skills on their own time and schedule. Many preschools require a child to be potty trained by 2 years old. We understand that not every child is on the same timeline when it comes to these skills and we prefer patience and happy learning.