Dear Kindermusik parent:
With the struggling economy, we know that you, like us, are closely evaluating how you spend your money. Lisa and Kelly at Kindermusik With Friends believe strongly that Kindermusik provides benefits to your child that will last a lifetime, and research has proven it! (Just recall the connection to Kindermusik and literacy shared at http://www.kindermusik.com/benefits.) We feel that there is great value in the home materials which extend your Kindermusik experience to seven days per week, and that the $17.00 per week (for a 45 minute class plus the home materials ? that works out to $13 base tuition and $4 for the instruments, books, cd?s and more that you own) you invest in quality class-time with your child each week is priceless! We are dedicated to you and your child, and work hard to bring the world of music and early childhood development into your lives each and every week. We want you to stay in Kindermusik for the Winter/Spring semester that begins in January, and would like to make you aware of the following ways we'd like to help:
1. There will be no fee increases for the Winter/Spring Semester. Remember that families with additional children enrolled, or who enroll in more than one class, receive %10 off the total tuition as well.
2. We will gladly extend payment plan options. You may request this option through Lisa. Monthly payment plans make tuition $45.50 a month for 45 minute classes for the Spring semester, with the first payment due on Feb. 1st. Please know that your enrollment commitment, in the best interest of your child, is still for the entire semester, but this offering is a "payment plan? to extend your terms. There is no added fee to be part of the payment plan. A deposit of $56 (Village, Our Time) or $66 (for Imagine That Sign & Sing, and Family Time) is due at registration or in January. That saves your space for the class and I will have materials available to you on the first day.
3. We now offer a referral program so that you may benefit from the many referrals you give us each semester! If you refer a friend, both you and your friend receive a $10 credit that you can apply to your tuition balance. There is no limit to how many credits you may receive. If you refer 5 friends that is $50 credit to your account.
4. Maternity leave. If you are having a baby during the upcoming session, but want to allow your older child to still benefit from the joy of class, we want to make it an easier choice for you. Please tell us your due date when you register and we will pro-rate your tuition around the weeks you will miss at that time. Also, infant siblings may attend class with big brother or sister at no cost. The youngest infant sibling to attend class was less one week old!
5. Many grandparents relish the opportunity to pay for Kindermusik as a quality, educational experience for their grandchildren. We are providing a letter, below, that you can customize and either email or mail to Grandma/Grandpa (or aunts and uncles, etc.) for the holiday season. If you'd like to receive this letter as an "attachment," simply let us know by email (hard copies will be available at the studio next week as well!). Let your relatives know, too, of the tangible gift - in the home materials - your child will use each week that will be directly attributable to them (i.e. "Grandma gave me this book or cd....")!
In times like these, it's important to relish the things that really matter and quality time spent in relationships with you and your children rank at the top of our list. Thank you for sharing your precious children with us and for YOUR commitment to a gift which will last a lifetime! Let us know how we can help!
Dear Grandma,
My wish list this year includes Kindermusik! I love my class and learn SO much as I sing, dance, play instruments, and listen to interesting sounds with my friends and my Mom and Dad. I especially love the books, cds and instruments that I get to take home and play with every day! They say this will help me when I get into school, too!
Thank you for giving me the gift of music! I love you!
Kindermusik blends the intuitive knowledge of artists and the science of neuropsychologists to create a delightful experience for children and adults. Kindermusik treats the whole child and all the learning domains that are part of a child's early development: physical, cognitive, language, social, emotional, and musical as an interactive whole. We also honor that you, the parent, are the child's most important teacher. We provide you with the highest quality home materials so that you will have the right tools to help bring the power of music into your home and into your child's life forever. The Kindermusik educator, trained and licensed by Kindermusik International, brings the curriculum to life and into the community. Presently there are 5500 educators in 66 countries and 1.5 million children have enjoyed and benefited from Kindermusik.
Why should I choose Kindermusik With Friends for my child?
Our Kindermusik studio focuses 100% on Kindermusik and we are experts in early childhood movement and music.
Kindermusik With Friends director, Lisa Cheney, M.Ed., constantly attends classes and professional development seminars to improve and stay on top of the most current research in child development. Lisa recently attained Standard Board Certification. This is a level above the standard licensure required to teach Kindermusik. Teachers at Kindermusik With Friends are in constant communication with Lisa to maintain this high level of expertise.
This year Lisa was named as President of the Greater Boston P.K.E. (Professional Kindermusik Eductors) association and the Massachusetts PKE. The P.K.E. is a group of Kindermusik educators who meet regularly for professional development and to inform and improve our independent studios. In June, 2008, she began moderating professional development sessions for Kindermusik International on the Village age class.
We are a Maestro level studio. That means that for the second consecutive year we rank in the top 5% of Kindermusik studios worldwide. There are 5500 Kindermusik Educators in 66 countries that reach 1.5 million children. We are proud to be recognized as a Maestro level studio.
How do I choose a class for my child?
The age recommendations outlined for Kindermusik have been carefully constructed to best group children in an age and developmentally appropriate way. If you have concerns about your child's success in a particular age range, I am happy to discuss your child's needs and to work with you to place him in the class best suited for him. You are always welcome to try different classes until we find the perfect fit. We require that a child always be minimum age for a class and a child often benefits from staying in a younger class a bit longer. If your child seems "in between" age groups a Family Time class, a multi-age group, is often a wonderful transitional class.
May I attend a class to see if we like Kindermusik?
Yes! I encourage and welcome visitors to attend a FREE preview class. Between semesters, I hold musical storytimes that allow families to get a taste of Kindermusik. During the semester, I also allow visitors; however, please call or e-mail me first since some classes tend to be full and previews are by appointment.
How do I make certain that we get the class we want?
Register early!!! Many classes fill to capacity, especially certain days and times. Registering early also ensures that your child's materials will be ready at the first class.
How do I make certain that my materials will be available at the first class?
Register early! If I do not have your registration form and deposit by at least two weeks before the start date of my first class of the semester, you may not receive materials at the first class.
Can I join the semester after it has already started?
Yes, if space is available. Of course, tuition will be pro-rated for the remaining classes.
What if we have to miss a class?
Although I do not offer refunds for missed classes, I do allow families to make-up the class missed by attending one of my other classes. If you know you have to miss, please let me know ahead of time so we can arrange a make-up class.
What if I have to bring a sibling? Can my spouse, grandmother, friend come watch the class?
If bringing a sibling still allows you to remain focused on the child enrolled in class, then feel free to do so. Spouses and relatives are always welcome to attend (and participate).
What should we do with our At Home Materials?
Please use them outside of class!! My families frequently tell me that their Kindermusik CDs are family favorites. Part of the Kindermusik magic is making music a part of your everyday life; that is why you receive At Home materials. Your child will benefit tremendously in class if she has listened to the music and played with you at home.
What if I can't afford Kindermusik?
Kindermusik offers a limited number of scholarships each semester. If you would like more information about a scholarship, please e-mail me or call.
Can you bring Kindermusik to my child's school?
Yes, Kindermusik does provide a program specifically for schools and day cares. I would be happy to arrange a demo class or talk to the school director.
Can you start a new class?
I will open new class sessions if room is available in my schedule and at least five people are interested in the time.
Please feel free to submit comments or questions using the Contact Us link.