Frequently Asked Questions
A Guide to Your Questions About Our 5-Star Child Care Centers
Q) How qualified is your child care center?
A) Primary Beginnings provides high-quality child care in Raleigh for young children at our preschools located in Spring Forest, North Hills, and Falls of Neuse. Our child care centers have earned 5-Star Child Care Quality Ratings from the state of North Carolina.
Our 5-Star child care centers in Raleigh support grassroots advocacy for young children. We are proud to be members of the following organizations:
- NCLCCA – NC Licensed Child Care Association
- NCCA – National Child Care Association
- NAEYC – National Association for the Education of Young Children
- NCaeyc and WakeAEYC – North Carolina Association for the Education of Young Children and Wake Association for the Education of Young Children
- NCECA – NC Early Childhood Association
- NCCCC – NC Child Care Coalition
Primary Beginnings offers a 5-star accredited program for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. Our programs are designed to enhance creative learning and self-confidence in your child while providing a solid foundation for their education.
Primary Beginnings is also proud to be voted Expertise.com's Best Preschool in Raleigh 2022.
Q) What are other parents saying about Primary Beginnings?
A) We love what our parents have to say about us. Check out our testimonials page to see how the parents at Primary Beginnings feel about our preschool and child care programs here in Raleigh.
Q) What ages do you accept for your child care program?
A) Our infant care program begins at 6 weeks of age. Toddlers (1-2 years of age) and Preschoolers (3-5 years of age) are also welcome. Primary Beginnings provides pre-school, before and after-school care for children from Kindergarten through 5th grade.
Q) What is the curriculum style?
A) Primary Beginnings has chosen to follow The Creative Curriculum to foster creativity in each child. This curriculum continues to incorporate the latest research and best practices into its program, taking the needs of every type of learner into account.
The Creative Curriculum for infants and toddlers focuses on responsive care while incorporating objectives that enable teachers to focus on what is most important for young children. This curriculum helps teachers plan and implement every aspect of care and teaching children from birth to age 3.
The Creative Curriculum System for Preschool is an award-winning system for monitoring the successes of preschoolers. Made up of research-based objectives and resources, it meets the state’s early learning standards. The theory and research of The Creative Curriculum provide our teachers with a foundation for success in their classrooms.
Q) Where are your child care centers located?
A) Primary Beginnings has three 5-star child care centers located in Raleigh.
Our Spring Forest Road location is great for those who live or work in North Raleigh. It offers easy access to I-540, Atlantic Ave, Capital Blvd, and more.
Our North Hills location is perfect for families who live or work inside the beltline in or near the North Hills area. This location is convenient to I-440, Glenwood Ave, Blue Ridge Rd, and more.
Our Falls of Neuse Road in Raleigh provides certified 5-star child care. Located near I-540/Northern Wake Expressway and Sandy Forks Road, Falls of Neuse is conveniently located and easily accessible to many locations in North Raleigh.
Please check out both of our Raleigh preschools and see which location is right for you.
Q) What are your tuition rates?
A) Primary Beginnings tuition rates varies by program and location. First, decide which of our Raleigh preschool locations you are interested in. Contact that location for specifics on program age and tuition costs. Registration fees may also apply.
Q) Do you offer part-time child care?
A) Yes, but we don’t offer Part time for anyone under 1.
Q) When can my child start? Is there a waiting list?
A) Openings vary depending on program and location. We do our best to accommodate every family, while still following state regulations. For specific details on openings and availability, please contact your preferred Raleigh preschool location.
Q) Do you accept county child care vouchers?
A) Yes!
Q) Do you offer a discount for enrolling multiple children?
A) Yes! Primary Beginnings does offer discounts for enrolling multiple children in our centers.
Q) What is the sick child policy?
A) Children who are ill, with or without a fever, or who are unable to participate in regular activities may not return until their fever has been normal for a minimum of 24 hours, and the child is able to participate in regular activities. Infectious illnesses such as the Flu, Pink Eye, Strep Throat, etc. or symptoms such as fever over 100°, vomiting, severe coughing or diarrhea will require removal of the child from the program.
If a child becomes ill while they are in our care, parents will be notified and asked to come immediately and pick up their child. Until parents arrive, ill children will be separated from the other children. An alternate plan for your child must be established by parents if they are unable to pick up a sick child or if they cannot be reached by telephone during the workday. This plan must be given to the staff who will keep it on file at the center.
The child may return to the center when it has been more than 24 hours since they were symptom-free or with a written documentation from a health care professional stating the child is not contagious and can attend the center.
Q) How do you communicate with parents?
A) Primary Beginnings communicates with parents through Procare Connect. Procare Connect is an online communication program that allows our Primary Beginnings staff to communicate with our parents through technology and will replace all forms of paper communication. With KidReports, parents will have the opportunity to receive communication about your child throughout the day, and an electronic daily report at the end of every day. Parents may set up notifications to come through email, text message, or through the downloadable app on their smartphone.
Q) What types of activities do you offer for infants and toddlers?
A) Every day your infant will enjoy a variety of carefully curated activities designed to foster all aspects of their development. Our infant curriculum provides the foundation for:
- Language and Literacy
- Social and Emotional Development
- Physical Development
- Cognitive and Executive Function
- Creative Expression
Toddlers have endless energy and curiosity. At Primary Beginnings, we help your toddler harness that enthusiasm for exploration and channel it into developing essential motor, emotional and cognitive skills through play-based learning.
Q) What will my child learn in preschool?
A) Guided by Creative Curriculum, your preschooler will enjoy a diverse educational environment with endless chances to explore, investigate and expand their skills and knowledge. Our 5-star preschool emphasizes hands-on sensory experiences to your preschooler grow. Our play-based curriculum covers:
- Language
- Literacy
- Science
- Math
- Social
- Emotional
Practical, cognitive, and social skill building are also a primary focus for our students. Our teachers and staff assist your preschooler in fine-tuning their ability to follow multi-step instructions, independently control impulses, practice self-care routines, recognize and express emotions, and play cooperatively with their classmates.
Q) What is your medication policy?
A) No medication will be administered to the children by the staff. This includes antihistamine, non-aspirin fever reducer/pain reliever, non-narcotic cough suppressant, decongestant, ointment or lotion intended specifically to relieve itching or dry skin and sunscreen. Please inform your child’s physician of the center’s policy so they may prescribe medication to fit your child’s schedule. We recommend that you apply sunscreen to your child before bringing him/her to the center.
What we do administer is but not limited to EPI Pen, Asthma breathing machine, lotion for severe Eczema and medicated diaper ointment. All medications must have a health care professional documentation detailing how long and what time of the day to administer the medication. All medications must be in their original container with a current date, the child’s name, the name of the medication, dosage, and mode of administration and name of prescribing physician or dentist on it. Medications will be administered to children only if the "Authorization to Administer Medication" form filled out by the parent is current and on file at the center. Always give the medication directly to a manager at the center. All medications are stored in a locked container out of the reach of children.
Q) Who provides the diapers for the infant and toddler programs?
A) Parents/Guardians will provide diapers or pull-ups for their child. The staff will notify the parent a day or two in advance, through a written note, when additional diapers, pull-ups are needed. Wipes will be provided by the center.
Have Other Questions?
We are happy to answer all your questions! Learn more about our Raleigh preschools by visiting either our North Hills location, Spring Forest Road, or Falls of Neuse locations or by filling out the form below.
