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How Enrollment Works

Daycare Enrollment in Puyallup & Spanaway

Enrolling Is Simpler Than You Think

Finding child care can feel like a lot of unknowns at once: openings, paperwork, tuition, and whether your child will settle in. At Lil' Patriots Academy we keep the process to six clear steps, and a real person at the campus walks you through each one.

Most families go from first tour to first day in about one to two weeks when a spot is available. Here is exactly what to expect.

Start With a Tour
Front desk at Lil' Patriots Academy child care center in Puyallup where families begin enrollment. Children in group learning at Lil' Patriots Academy daycare in Puyallup.

Enrollment in Six Steps

From your first call to your child's first day, here is the full process.

Step 1: Schedule a Tour

Book online or call the campus you are interested in. Tours take about 30 minutes and happen during the school day so you can see classrooms in action. Not sure which campus? Tour two.

Book a Tour

Step 2: Visit the Campus

Meet the director and the teachers in your child's age group, see the classroom, playground, and kitchen, and get direct answers on openings, daily routines, and tuition. Bring your child if you can.

Questions to Ask

Step 3: Choose a Program

Pick infant care, the toddler program, or preschool based on your child's age, and the campus that fits your commute. Every program is offered at all three locations, so you can choose by location first.

Compare Programs

Step 4: Complete the Packet

Return the enrollment forms, emergency contacts and authorized pick-ups, health and allergy information, and your child's current immunization records. Washington requires a Certificate of Immunization Status before the first day.

Request the Packet

Step 5: Set Up Tuition

Choose private pay, a Washington state subsidy such as Working Connections Child Care, or Child Care Aware fee assistance for military families. Our office completes the provider portion of any assistance paperwork.

Payment Options

Step 6: Plan the First Day

Confirm a start date, set up your door code, and pack the essentials: a change of clothes, comfort item, and any bottles or formula for infants. Many families ease in with a shorter first day.

First-Day FAQ

What to Have Ready for Enrollment

Gathering these ahead of time is the fastest way to lock in a start date once a spot is open.

Enrollment forms

The registration packet covers your child's information, family contacts, authorized pick-up adults, and our policies. We provide it at your tour or by email.

Immunization records

Washington licensed child care requires a current Certificate of Immunization Status, or a medically verified exemption, before a child attends. Your pediatrician's office or the state immunization registry can print one for you [WA Department of Health].

Health and allergy information

Tell us about allergies, dietary needs, medications, and anything else that helps teachers care for your child. Meals are included, so allergy details matter from day one.

Payment or assistance details

For private pay, bring your preferred payment method. For a state subsidy or military fee assistance, bring your case or approval details, or let us know you have applied so we can submit provider information as soon as it is requested.

For infants

A feeding and nap schedule, labeled bottles or formula, diapers and wipes, and a few changes of clothes. We follow your baby's routine, so the more you share, the smoother the first week.

What Happens After Your Child Starts

Enrollment is the beginning of a partnership. From the first week onward, here is how we keep you connected to your child's day and development.

Children sharing a meal together at Lil' Patriots Academy in Puyallup.
Teacher reading a story to children at Lil' Patriots Academy daycare. Child on the playground slide at Lil' Patriots Academy in Puyallup.

Daily Communication

Teachers share how the day went, including meals, naps, and activities. Infant families receive detailed daily reports, and every family can reach the classroom with questions.

Secure Drop-Off and Pick-Up

Your family receives a unique door code for secure entry, and only the adults you authorize on your enrollment packet may pick up your child.

Milestones and Assessments

Our HighScope curriculum includes ongoing, family-centered assessments so you can see your child's growth in language, motor skills, social-emotional development, and school readiness.

Moving Up

When your child is ready for the next classroom, teachers plan the transition with you so moving from infant care to toddlers, or toddlers to preschool, feels natural rather than abrupt.

Enrollment FAQ

  • If a spot is open, most families complete enrollment within a week of their tour. The paperwork takes about an hour, and we need immunization records before the first day. Subsidy and fee-assistance approvals can take longer, so start those as early as possible.

  • Availability changes by campus and age group, and infant spots fill fastest. If your preferred classroom is full, we will add you to the waitlist and contact you when a spot opens.

  • A completed enrollment packet, emergency contact and authorized pick-up information, your child's health and allergy information, and a current Certificate of Immunization Status, which Washington requires for licensed child care.

  • Lil' Patriots Academy programs are full-time, Monday through Friday. Families who want a part-day preschool option can visit our sister school, Buttons and Bows Preschool in Puyallup.

  • Yes. We accept Washington state child care subsidies and Child Care Aware fee assistance for military families, and our office completes the provider portion of the paperwork for you.

Ready to Take the First Step?

Schedule a tour at the campus nearest you. We will answer your questions and send the enrollment packet home with you.

Schedule a Tour