Why We Require a Tour Before You Apply (and Why There's a Small Application Fee)

Because we’re not just filling spots—we’re building a community.

At Sea Island Sprouts, we do things differently—and that starts before your child ever sets foot in the classroom.

We require most families to take a tour before they apply (with very few exceptions), and we charge a small, non-refundable application fee. These aren’t hoops to jump through. They’re intentional steps, designed to help us protect what makes our school special—for the children, the teachers, and the families who join us.

Here’s why we’ve made this our process:

Our Tours Take Over an Hour—And They Should

Your child could spend over 1,000 days at Sea Island Sprouts if they start with us at age one. That’s a huge part of their childhood—and your family’s life. So yes, we believe it’s worth taking the time.

Our tours are long on purpose. You’ll meet the owner, the director, members of our admin and support team, and if timing aligns, real parents during drop-off or pick-up. You’ll visit classrooms, meet teachers, observe real-time moments, and learn what makes our approach different.

This isn’t a quick walk-through with a sales pitch. It’s a conversation. It’s the beginning of a relationship.

People spend hours at car dealerships negotiating for something they’ll drive for a few years. We think your child’s early years deserve at least that much attention.

We Want Families Who Want to Be Here

We’re not trying to be the biggest program in town—we’re trying to be the right place for the families who choose us. That’s why we ask you to visit before applying. You should get a real sense of who we are, what we believe, and how our classrooms feel before taking the next step.

And honestly? We want to meet you, too. We want to know that our values align. Because when families and schools are in sync, children thrive.

We Keep Our Waitlist Small—On Purpose

Other programs may have hundreds of names on a waitlist, and dozens of people applying every week. We don’t want that. We keep our waitlist small and manageable so we can maintain real communication and respect your time.

If you're on our list, you’ll know wher e you stand. When a spot opens, we’re not making 30 calls and chasing responses. We’re reaching out to a few families we’ve already come to know through our intentional process.

This lets our admin team spend their time where it matters most: in the classrooms, supporting teachers, connecting with families, and helping children grow—not drowning in enrollment paperwork.

The Application Fee Reflects Our Thoughtful Approach

We charge a small application fee not because it’s a money-maker—it’s because it reflects the time, care, and energy we invest in each potential enrollment. When you apply, we genuinely consider your child, your needs, and how they fit into the classroom community. That’s a responsibility we don’t take lightly.

The fee also signals that you're ready to take the next step after learning about what makes Sea Island Sprouts unique.

What Makes Us Different—And Why It Matters

There’s no flashy gimmick or one-size-fits-all program here. Every decision we make is centered around the wellbeing of children and the adults who care for them. For example:

• We don’t move children just because they had a birthday.We keep classroom communities together to support emotional security and meaningful relationships. Childhood isn’t a checklist—it’s a journey.

• We keep our class sizes and ratios well below what the state allows.Not because we have to, but because children need attention, and teachers need room to breathe.

• We don’t use a boxed curriculum.Our Reggio-inspired approach means learning follows your child’s interests and development—not a calendar or theme week. There’s no scripted lesson that knows your child better than their teacher does.

We’re Not Just a Program—We’re a Place to Belong

This is your child’s first school experience. Their first community. And our goal is to make it meaningful, not transactional. That’s why our process is slower, more personal, and more connected than most.

We don’t aim to enroll hundreds of kids. We aim to grow lifelong relationships. That starts with a conversation—and a tour.

👉 Schedule your tour today and take the first step in discovering what makes Sea Island Sprouts truly different.

Because this isn’t just childcare. It’s childhood. And it deserves to be done right.