Apple Tree Learning Centers

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the family guide service just for kids, or can parents come too?

The correct answer is YES. We actually do both. We often provide exclusive adventures for just the kids. Sometimes they come from one family or more often from a few families who have come to Stowe for a wedding, family reunion, corporate retreat, or other event. But our most popular Family Guide Service includes parents and children together. Families put the stress of planning and deciding behind them and let our guides introduce them to some of the secret gems and special activities unique to the Stowe area.

Do you have programs to accommodate kids who are visiting stowe for a few days?

There are two sets of programs for visitors to Stowe. Our school vacation programs are open to our fully enrolled students as well as any other children who want to visit us for the week or by the day. Visitors traveling to Stowe are welcome to join these programs. Our Stowe Summer Camp program is a nice mix of campers from across town, across the state, across the country, and around the world. The second option that families visiting Stowe should consider is our Family Guide Services. We provide customized family programs, catering to an individual family’s interests and desires while helping them to discover some of the local secrets of Stowe, Vermont.

What do you offer during school breaks and vacations?

During school breaks and vacations, we offer full day Discovery programs that take advantage of the opportunity to travel a little further for enriching field trips to farms, orchards, and museums, as well as engage in special activities such as dog-sledding, rock climbing, snow-shoeing, cross country skiing, ice skating, and much more.

What kind of programming do you have for elementary school aged children? Do you provide after school care?

School-aged children (5 years and older) can join our After School Program. We have two classes for After School care. One class is transported by our bus directly from the elementary school to an off-site location to receive professional instruction in activities such as horseback riding, rock climbing, tennis lessons, swim lessons, and more. The other class meets at our center and sometimes stays in the classroom, but is more often outside and active with our own outdoor education activities.

How do i know if you have openings in a particular classroom?

You are best to contact us as soon as you think you may have an interest in enrolling a child. We regularly have a waiting list for classrooms, but the number of students in each classroom often fluctuates. If you have a particular need for certain days of the week, please detail your needs when you contact us. Each of our classrooms has a maximum number of students so that we maintain favorable student/teacher ratios. We do our very best to accommodate family needs and enroll students on a first come first served basis, when all paperwork is complete. If interested in enrollment, we recommend that you submit an application form.

What kind of outdoor play space do you have? What are your playgrounds like?

We have two separate fenced-in, state-of-the art playground areas that are age specific and age appropriate. In addition, children play games in an open grassy space with swings, and enjoy planting (weeding, watering, shoveling, hoeing, raking) and harvesting our summer vegetable garden. Apple Tree Learning Centers is located adjacent to the Stowe Recreation Path, and children use the path and access streams (the West Branch), forests, and fields.

Do you accept child care subsidy?

Yes we do. In fact, because STARS (Vermont’s STep Ahead Recognition System) has awarded Apple Tree Learning Centers 5 stars (the highest rating possible), families that qualify for subsidy will be awarded the highest rate available.

What is the child/teacher ratio?

In order to ensure the most attentive and effective classroom environment our student/teacher ratios fall well below the state guidelines. Our student/teacher ratios are as follows: infants 3:1; toddlers 4:1; bridge 5:1; three year olds 7:1; four year olds 8:1; five year olds 8:1; after school 10:1.

How many classrooms do you have and how are they organized?

We have multiple classrooms organized by age throughout the center. They include: Infant: 7 weeks – 1year; Toddler 1: 1 year – 2 years; Toddler 2: 2 years – 3 years; Bridge: 2 years -3 years combination; Preschool 3: 3 years – 4 years; Preschool 4: 4 years – 5 years; After School: 5 years-12 years.