What is included in tuition costs?
Wonders believes our programs should offer an array of opportunities and resources to families. This is why monthly tuition includes a variety of valuable services, in addition to engaging curriculum: field trips, intramural sports, family fun events, full and half day programming, inclement weather programming, friendship workshops, consultation and support from Ivymount’s Center for Outreach and Education , healthy snacks and clubs. This inclusive philosophy ensures that enrolled children can fully participate in all activities that are offered.
Additionally, Wonders is committed to quality programs for children and families that are accessible and staffed by qualified, caring, professional teachers who are compensated in the top quartile for the field. Wonders has an annual staff turnover that is less than half of the Maryland average; we believe this is due to our ability to attract and retain dedicated teachers who make our classrooms and programs exciting learning environments.
Research has shown that the knowledge and skills of early childhood program staff as the cornerstone of high quality early childhood education programs. Specialized knowledge and professional development in how young children develop and learn is critical, as is the quality of interactions between program staff and children.
We recognize that families have many choices in early childhood and school age programming and that child care tuition and fees are a significant portion of a family budget. This is why we offer financial assistance to qualified families and prioritize our goals for quality programming through mindful fiscal management.
The 2011-2012 Wonders Fees and Tuition Schedule below outlines all of the costs associated with Wonders programs.
Edgemoor Children’s Center
These fees and tuition rates are in effect for program year 2012-2013 (August 20, 2012 to August 19, 2013).
Deposit and Registration Fees (cost for new enrollees only)
- Application Fee: $50
- Registration Fee: $75
- A deposit equal to one month of tuition and a one-time registration fee are due when enrollment forms are submitted.
Monthly Tuition
| Classroom | 5 Days | 3 Days | 2 Days |
| Infant/toddler (2 to 23 months)* | $2,168 | $1,318 | $893 |
| Pre-school (24 to 47 months)* | $1,712 | $1,045 | $709 |
* The age of the child as of September 1 determines the monthly tuition for the entire program year.
| Pre-K | 5 Days | 4 Days | 3 Days | 2 Days | 1 Day |
| Pre-K | $992 | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Before School | $180 | $145 | $105 | $65 | $30 |
| After School | $400 | $320 | $240 | $160 | $80 |
Leland Children’s Center
These fees and tuition rates are in effect for program year 2012-2013 (August 20, 2012 to August 19, 2013).
Deposit and Registration Fees (for new enrollees only)
- Application Fee: $50
- Registration Fee: $75
- A deposit equal to one month of tuition and a one time registration fee are due when enrollment forms are submitted.
Monthly Tuition
| Pre-School Classroom | 5 Days | 3 Days | 2 Days |
| Pre-school *(24 to 47 months) | $1,643 | $1,066 | $725 |
* The age of the child as of September 1 determines the monthly tuition for the entire program year.
| Pre-K | 5 Days | 4 Days | 3 Days | 2 Days | 1Day |
| Pre-K | $992 | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Before School | $160 | $145 | $105 | $65 | $30 |
| After School | $360 | $320 | $240 | $160 | $80 |
MCPS Extended Day Programs
These fees and tuition rates are based on ten equal monthly payments starting August 1, 2012 to May 1, 2013.
Deposit and Registration Fees
- Application Fee: $35
- Registration Fee: $45
- Drop-In: $35 registration fee (no additional application fee is needed)
The application fee is due when applying for admission or to be placed on the wait list. An initial deposit equal to one month of tuition and registration fee is due when enrollment forms are submitted for the first time. Continuing enrollment requires an annual registration fee. Deposit requirements will be adjusted if changes in the number of days or the type of program are requested and approved.
Monthly Tuition
| School Age Programs | 5 Days | 4 Days | 3 Days | 2 Days | 1 Day |
| Before School | $209 | $166 | $128 | $90 | $57 |
| After School | $504 | $423 | $342 | $223 | $109 |
Match Set
| Before and After School | 5 Days | 4 Days | 3 Days | 2 Days | 1 Day |
| Before 7:30am – 9:00am | $630 | $525 | $435 | $300 | $165 |
| Before 8:00am – 9:00am | $595 | $495 | $410 | $280 | $155 |
Sibling Discount
This discount applies to families who have at least one child enrolled in Wonders Early Childhood Program or Wonders School Age Program. The sibling discount is applicable to the second and subsequent children enrolled in a Wonders School Age Program only with a minimum enrollment of 3 days per child. The discount amounts ranging from 5% to 15% are based on the number of children from your family enrolled in Wonders.
Daily Drop-In Rates
| School Age Programs | |
| Before School Drop-In | $20 |
| After School Drop-In | $35 |
| Early Dismissal Drop-In | $40 |
| Full Service Day Drop-In | $50 |
Horace Mann Extended Day
These fees and tuition rates are based on ten equal payments starting August 1, 2012 to May 1, 2013.
Deposit and Registration Fees
- Application Fee: $35
- Registration Fee: $45
- Drop-In: $35 registration fee (no additional application fee is needed)
The application fee is due when applying for admission or to be placed on the wait list. An initial deposit equal to one month of tuition and registration fee is due when enrollment forms are submitted for the first time. Continuing enrollment requires an annual registration fee. Deposit requirements will be adjusted if changes in the number of days or the type of program are requested and approved.
Monthly Tuition
| School Age Programs | 5 Days | 4 Days | 3 Days | 2 Days | 1 Day |
| Before School | $209 | $166 | $128 | $90 | $57 |
| After School | $542 | $456 | $361 | $252 | $143 |
Match Set
| Before and After School | 5 Days | 4 Days | 3 Days | 2 Days | 1 Day |
| Before 7:30am – 9:00am | $670 | $560 | $460 | $320 | $175 |
| Before 8:00am – 9:00am | $635 | $530 | $435 | $300 | $165 |
Sibling Discount
This discount applies to families who have at least one child enrolled in Wonders Early Childhood Program or Wonders School Age Program. The sibling discount is applicable to the second and subsequent children enrolled in a Wonders School Age Program only with a minimum enrollment of 3 days per child. The discount amounts ranging from 5% to 15% are based on the number of children from your family enrolled in Wonders.
Daily Drop-In Rates
| School Age Programs | |
| Before School Drop-In | $20 |
| After School Drop-In | $35 |
| Early Dismissal Drop-In | $40 |
| Full Service Day Drop-In | $50 |
JAS Extended Day
These fees and tuition rates are based on ten equal monthly payments starting August 1, 2013 to May 1, 2013.
Deposit and Registration Fees
- Application Fee: $35
- Registration Fee: $45
- Drop-In: $35 registration fee (no additional application fee is needed)
The application fee is due when applying for admission or to be placed on the wait list. An initial deposit equal to one month of tuition and a one time registration fee is due when enrollment forms are submitted for the first time. Continuing enrollment requires an annual registration fee. Deposit requirements will be adjusted if changes in the number of days or the type of program are requested and approved.
Monthly Tuition
| School Age Programs | 5 Days | 4 Days | 3 Days | 2 Days | 1 Day |
| After School | $523 | $437 | $342 | $223 | $119 |
Daily Drop-In Rates
| School Age Programs | |
| After School Drop-In | $35 |
| Early Dismissal Drop-In | $40 |
| Full Service Day Drop-In | $50 |
Financial Assistance
DOWNLOAD FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE APPLICATION »
Wonders offers a unique scholarship program which annually provides approximately $160,000 in child care tuition assistance to families. The Wonders Financial Assistance Program is fundamental to who we are as a child care organization and a community. We strive to make our programs accessible to as many families as possible and in order to do this we ask everyone in the community who can to support the Financial Assistance Program through our annual giving program (CFC# 50753).
Applying For Financial Assistance
The Financial Assistance Program is available to all families who have children enrolled in Wonders programs.
Interested families must complete the application form which is available at each program site and at the business office in Chevy Chase, MD. Submit the application with all required documentation to the site Program Director or Financial Assistance Coordinator Judy Beman at the business office. She can be reached at jbeman@wonderschildcare.org or (301) 654-5339.
- The Financial Assistance Committee confidentially reviews each application.
- The completed applications are submitted to the Executive Director.
- If tuition assistance is awarded, you will receive notification from the Financial Assistance Coordinator.
- Applications will be accepted throughout the year.
- Families must reapply annually.
- Tuition reduction is are made without regard to race, creed, color, family composition, gender, age, religion, national origin, citizenship, sexual orientation, and physical or mental handicap.
- We also accept Child Care Subsidy vouchers such as Working Parents Assistance and Purchase of Care. All Program Directors have information about these programs.
The Financial Assistance Program is vital to Wonders and the community because it:
- provides for accessibility to our programs,
- allows every family in our programs access to support in the event of an unexpected financial crisis,
- ensures economic diversity,
- furthers our founding mission.
Wonders is committed to making a difference in our community. It is our mission to provide programs that are accessible and affordable to as many families as possible. The Financial Assistance Program ensures that families have access to the quality child care. If you have questions, please call the business office at (301) 654-5339.
