Question 1

What ages do you welcome at Field of Dreams?

Accepted Answer

Our school serves children from six weeks old through kindergarten readiness, with after-school care and seasonal summer camp programs for school-age children. Each age has its own thoughtfully designed classroom, from our gentle infant rooms to our bustling Pre-K spaces where four to six-year-olds prepare for elementary education. You can explore the full range of options on our programs page, where you will find more details about what each stage looks like at our school. We do our best to help every family find the right fit, whether you are looking for full-day early childhood education or a flexible schedule that supports your work and home life.

Question 2

How do I tour your school and start the enrollment process?

Accepted Answer

We always recommend starting with a tour, because seeing our classrooms in person tells you so much more than any website ever could. You can reach out by phone or through our website to schedule a visit to either our Baxter Campus in Fort Mill or our Edgewater campus in Indian Land. During your tour, you will walk through our preschool classrooms, meet some of our teachers, and get a real feel for how children engage with our environment. After your visit, our team will share enrollment paperwork and walk you through everything step by step. As Jessica Chisolm, our School Leader at Field of Dreams Baxter, shares, "We believe leadership isn't about being in charge, but about taking care of those in our charge, starting with our littlest learners." That care begins the very first time you walk through our doors.

Question 3

What does tuition include, and are there extra fees I should plan for?

Accepted Answer

Tuition at Field of Dreams covers your child's day in our care, including classroom materials, hands-on activities, meals, and snacks at most age levels, and access to our Reggio-inspired learning environments and natural playground spaces. Endeavor Essentials enrichment sessions are included in your tuition, while Endeavor Plus options offer additional enrichment experiences for families who want even more learning opportunities for their kids. Our admissions team will walk you through tuition specific to your campus and your child's age, since costs differ slightly between our Baxter and Edgewater locations. We aim to be transparent so your family can plan with confidence and clarity.

Question 4

Is there a waitlist, and when should we apply?

Accepted Answer

Our York County preschool and Lancaster County child care programs do fill up, especially in the infant and toddler classrooms, where smaller class sizes mean fewer spots are available at any one time. We recommend reaching out as early as possible, ideally a few months before you would like your little one to start. Even if a classroom is full, we can add your family to our waitlist and reach out as soon as a spot becomes available. Haley Hochstetler, our Assistant School Leader at Field of Dreams, often reminds families that "childcare is a big decision," and we want to give your family plenty of time to feel sure about your choice.

Question 5

What is the Reggio Emilia approach, and how does it shape your educational philosophy?

Accepted Answer

The Reggio Emilia Approach is a child-led educational philosophy that began in Reggio Emilia, Italy, after World War II. It views young children as capable, creative, and full of potential, with what the founders called a "hundred languages" for expressing ideas, from drawing and sculpting to dramatic play and storytelling. At our school, the Reggio Emilia Approach shapes every part of the learning process. Our teachers act as co-learners and guides rather than lecturers, and our classrooms are filled with open-ended materials that invite real exploration, problem solving, new ideas, and understanding. As Jessica Chisolm, School Leader at Field of Dreams Baxter, explains, "Our school's pedagogy encourages exploration, creativity, and collaboration through hands-on experiences, free play, and meaningful interactions." You can see more examples of how this comes to life on our curriculum page.

Question 6

How does your kindergarten readiness program prepare my child?

Accepted Answer

Our kindergarten readiness program supports your child's development in the areas that matter most as they enter elementary school. We focus on strong foundations such as alphabet recognition and early reading skills, mathematical thinking and problem-solving, and the social skills that children need to thrive in a new classroom. We also follow the South Carolina Early Learning Standards, which means our preschool teachers are intentional about cognitive, language, math, science, and social-emotional growth. According to the Institute of Education Sciences, children who attend early childhood education programs are more prepared for kindergarten and develop stronger language, reading, writing, and math skills before entering elementary school. We bring this research to life every single day in our Pre-K classroom.

Question 7

What does play-based learning look like in your preschool classrooms?

Accepted Answer

Play-based learning is the heart of everything we do, and it looks very different from direct instruction you might remember from your own school days. In our play-based preschool classrooms, you will see children building with loose parts, creating stories during pretend play, working through math concepts with natural materials, and enjoying free play that supports cognitive skills and self-expression. According to the Child Mind Institute, this kind of self-directed play supports students' cognitive, social, emotional, physical, creative, and language development while also helping them experience positive emotions that contribute to overall well-being. That is exactly what our play-based curriculum is designed to do. Our teachers observe what excites your child and weave those interests into new learning experiences throughout the week, keeping them actively engaged in their learning.

Question 8

How do you support language development and literacy in your educational approach?

Accepted Answer

Language development happens all day long in our classrooms through our approach to teaching, not just during circle time or reading lessons. Our teachers narrate what children are doing, ask open-ended questions, and invite your little one to share their ideas through what Reggio educators call the hundred languages. We use real conversation, child agency, educational resources, books, songs, and dramatic play to help your little one grow vocabulary and confidence at the same time. According to Harvard's Center on the Developing Child, responsive back-and-forth interactions between children and caring adults help build strong brain architecture that supports healthy development. That responsive style is exactly how our teachers approach every conversation, whether your child has just started babbling in our infant room or telling a long story in Pre-K.

Question 9

How do your enrichment programs add to my child's learning?

Accepted Answer

Our Endeavor Essentials and Endeavor Plus enrichment programs bring even more creative experiences into your child's day. These fun environment sessions include music and movement, hands-on STEM activities, creative arts projects, and other fun activities that encourage your child to explore new skills and interests. Because we are a Reggio-inspired preschool, these enrichment opportunities are not bolted onto the regular schedule. They flow naturally into our educational approach and connect back to the projects your little one engages in at school.

Question 10

What does a typical day look like at your school?

Accepted Answer

A typical day at Field of Dreams is full of rhythm, exploration, and connection. Mornings begin with a calm welcome starting at 7 a.m., followed by a morning meeting where little ones gather to talk about the day ahead and reconnect with their friends. From there, your child moves into discovery time and learning centers focused on STEAM, dramatic play, and sensory exploration. Midday brings outdoor exploration on our natural playgrounds, a nutritious lunch, and time for Endeavor Essentials enrichment. After rest, small-group learning continues with literacy, mathematical thinking, and creative projects, and afternoon pick-up wraps up by 6 p.m. Haley Hochstetler, Assistant School Leader at Field of Dreams, shares that "each day is filled with small and large group time, hands-on activities, and open-ended exploration," which captures the joyful balance we work hard to create.

Question 11

How much outdoor time will my child get each day?

Accepted Answer

Outdoor play is a big part of life at our school, not a reward or an afterthought. Both our Fort Mill and Indian Land campuses include thoughtfully designed natural playground spaces that encourage gross motor development, sensory exploration, and a deep connection to the natural world. Your child will spend significant time outside each day, weather permitting, climbing, digging, running, and inventing games with their friends. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, regular physical activity improves children's attention, memory, and overall brain health, thereby supporting stronger academic performance and learning outcomes. Outdoor time is one of our favorite ways to support both your child's body and their growing brain.

Question 12

How do you handle naps and rest time for younger children?

Accepted Answer

Rest is a sacred part of the day in our classrooms, because little ones need real recovery time to process everything they have learned and experienced. Your baby will follow their own personal sleep schedules with our gentle support in our infant classrooms, while your toddler or preschooler will rest in a calm, dimly lit room after lunch. Each little one has their own cot, sheet, and comfort items from home, if needed. Our teachers stay close by during rest, offering back rubs or quiet songs to little ones who need a little help drifting off. For older children who do not nap, we offer quiet activities like books, puzzles, or drawing so everyone can recharge in their own way.

Question 13

What kinds of meals and snacks do you provide?

Accepted Answer

We provide nourishing meals and snacks that fuel your child's busy day of learning, with menus that rotate to introduce new flavors and familiar favorites alike. Your little ones' mealtimes are about more than food in our community. They are also opportunities for social skills, language development, and grace and courtesy, as your child will pour their own water, pass dishes, and chat with friends and teachers. We work closely with families regarding allergies, sensitivities, or special dietary needs, and parents are always welcome to ask our team for the current menu or specific ingredients.

Question 14

How do you support children who learn differently or need extra help?

Accepted Answer

Every child learns differently, and we celebrate that as a strength rather than a hurdle to overcome. Our Reggio-inspired approach means our curriculum isn't one-size-fits-all, so our preschool teachers can pivot to meet your child where they are. According to the Harvard Graduate School of Education, curiosity helps prepare the brain for learning by activating attention, memory, motivation, and deeper understanding, making children more ready to absorb and retain new information. We protect that curiosity in every child by offering multiple ways to express ideas, whether through art, movement, or building. When a child needs extra help, our teachers use careful observation and partnership with your family to adapt strategies in ways that feel supportive, never singling anyone out.

Question 15

How do you keep my child safe throughout the day?

Accepted Answer

Safety is built into every part of our day, from the moment your child arrives until the moment you sign them out. Both our Baxter and Edgewater campuses use secure entry systems with biometric-coded access, so only authorized adults can enter our building. Our classrooms have low ratios, daily attendance checks, and clear procedures for emergencies of any kind. Jessica Chisolm, School Leader at Field of Dreams Baxter, often shares these details with new families, "I walk them through our multi-layered security, including our biometric-coded entry and secure internet viewing." We take this responsibility seriously because we never want to take your trust for granted.

Question 16

What certifications and training do your educators have?

Accepted Answer

Our educators come to us with a mix of formal early childhood education credentials and a deep love for working with kids. Lead teachers often hold a degree in early childhood education or a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential. At the same time, all team members complete the 15-hour SC Health and Safety Pre-Service Certificate training and ongoing professional development each year. Every staff member, regardless of role, holds current in-person certifications in Pediatric First Aid, CPR, and AED use. Beyond required training, our teachers attend workshops on the Reggio Emilia Approach, language development, and emergent curriculum, so they continue to grow alongside your child.

Question 17

What is your sick policy, and when should I keep my child home?

Accepted Answer

We follow clear guidelines based on South Carolina health requirements for early years education to keep our school community well. In general, children should stay home if they have a fever over 100.4, vomiting, diarrhea, an undiagnosed rash, or any contagious illness. We ask that children remain home until they have been symptom-free for at least twenty-four hours without medication. If your child begins to feel unwell while at school, we will call you right away and care for them in a quiet space until you can pick them up. We know that unexpected illness is hard for working families, so we clearly share these guidelines during enrollment to help you plan with confidence.

Question 18

How do you handle food allergies and dietary needs?

Accepted Answer

Food allergies and dietary needs receive close attention from our entire team. When you enroll, we collect detailed information about your child's allergies, sensitivities, and preferences, and we clearly post it in each classroom and food preparation area. Our teachers are trained to recognize and respond to allergic reactions, and EpiPens and other medications are stored safely and accessibly. Families with severe allergies often choose to send food from home, and we welcome that partnership. We also work with families managing dietary needs tied to faith, culture, or personal choice, because every family deserves to feel seen and supported.

Question 19

How will I stay updated on my child's day?

Accepted Answer

We use the ProCare app to share daily updates, photos, milestones, and reminders with your family in real time. You can expect to see what your child ate, how they napped, what they explored, and sometimes a sweet photo of them at work in the classroom. Beyond the app, our teachers chat with you at drop-off and pick-up because nothing replaces a real conversation about your child's day. Haley Hochstetler, Assistant School Leader at Field of Dreams, shares, "I communicate with parents during drop off and pick up personally," and that personal connection is something every member of our team values. We want you to feel like a true partner in your child's learning process, not someone receiving updates from a distance.

Question 20

Are parents welcome to visit during the day?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. Field of Dreams has an open-door policy, which means that once your child is enrolled, you are welcome to visit our classrooms anytime your schedule allows. Some parents stop in for lunch, others come to read a favorite book during circle time, and some want to peek in and see their little one happily playing. We also have secure cameras in every classroom, so you can check in from work or home when you cannot be there in person. We believe that families who feel welcome create children who feel grounded, and that ripple of comfort runs through everything we do.

Question 21

How do you build community with families across both campuses?

Accepted Answer

Community is something we cultivate on purpose at our Baxter campus in Fort Mill and our Edgewater campus in Indian Land. Across both locations, we host school events like gardening days, Valentine's dances, family coffee trucks, art shows where children share their projects, and seasonal celebrations that bring everyone together. Many of our families form lasting friendships through these gatherings, and we love watching children who started as babies together graduate from Pre-K side by side. Our Reggio-inspired educational philosophy reminds us that the school, the family, and the wider community all play a role in raising curious, capable learners.

Question 22

How do you partner with parents when concerns come up?

Accepted Answer

Concerns are part of every parenting journey, and we want to be the school that listens first and partners with you on the next steps. When something comes up, whether it is a developmental question, a social challenge, or a worry about your child's adjustment, we encourage you to reach out directly to your child's teacher or to our leadership team. We schedule conferences whenever you need them, share observations from our classroom, and work together on strategies that feel right for your family.

Question 23

What makes your school community feel different from other schools?

Accepted Answer

Our community feels different because the people inside our school treat each other like family. Children form deep bonds with their teachers, teachers cheer each other on, and families create friendships that last well beyond Pre-K graduation. Jessica Chisolm, School Leader at Field of Dreams Baxter, describes our environment this way: "When a child feels safe and deeply loved, their growth potential is limitless." That belief shapes how our staff greets your child each morning, how we celebrate small wins together, and how we walk alongside your family through every season of growth.

Frequently Asked Questions About Our Preschool Programs in Fort Mill & Indian Land

Admissions & Enrollment

Our Early Childhood Education Curriculum

Daily Routines & Children's Early Education Experiences

Health & Safety

Communication & Community

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