These policies are necessary to cover the costs we incur when we commit to have Forest School available throughout the school year. TNC is a non-profit independent nature preserve; these financial policies provide budgetary stability to keep us running and supporting our mission. A current Family Membership or higher is required for enrollment in Forest School.
Membership is a tax-deductible donation with year-round benefits, and is non-refundable.
Payments- Full Year
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TNC Forest School requires a $500 deposit to hold a space in the program. Deposits will be applied to the first month’s school payment.
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Deposits are non-refundable after May 1, 2024. When a family is accepted into the program, they will be asked to fill out an intake form and take a tour of the school to meet with staff if they have not already done so.
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During the enrollment process, a registration fee equal to one month’s tuition is required to enroll in the class and will be applied to the June Payment of the Forest S tuition. This fee is non-refundable should you decide to withdraw. A discount of 10% will be applied to younger siblings in Full Year enrollment. Payments are due on a monthly basis. Payments made 5 days after the first day of the month will result in a $50 late fee.
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Pick-up Late Fees: While we understand that unforeseen incidents may occasionally arise, chronic lateness will result in an extra fee. A late pick-up fee of $20 for every 15 minute period will apply to children who are picked up late more than three times over the program year. This fee is to cover the time of educators.
Refunds- Full Year
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A $50 processing fee applies to all refunds.
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Tuition refunds will be given for cancellations with 6 weeks’ notice (minus the $50 processing fee) if a family from the waitlist is able to take your child’s spot or you are able to find a replacement. If no child is available to take your child’s spot, the enrollment payment will be retained by TNC.
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No refunds or credits will be given for withdrawals with less than a month’s notice. In this instance, a tax receipt will be issued to you indicating that the program fee was converted to a charitable donation.
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In cases of cancellation due to moving or other major life changes, refunds will be assessed on a case-by-case basis at the discretion of the Director.
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No refunds will be given for vacation time taken outside of regularly scheduled Forest School closures.
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Failure to submit all required health forms 7 days before the first day of school will result in forfeiture of your $500 registration fee.
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TNC reserves the right to cancel, reschedule, or change programs as needed.
Payments- Afternoons
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Afternoon enrollments are on a first come, first serve basis for the current season. To reserve space in an upcoming season, a $50 deposit per child is required. The deposit will be applied to the program payment for the season of attendance when the season begins, and remaining payment will be due at that time.
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Afternoon program payments are due at the beginning of each season. Each 2-day session will have the opportunity to make up to two missed classes at the end of the season, should they be required. Any additional classes missed will not be refunded or have make up sessions.
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If two children from the same family are enrolled, a discount of 5% will be applied to one sibling's afternoon sessions.
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Payments made 5 days after the first day of the season will result in a $50 late fee. No refunds will be applied to these classes.
Refunds- Afternoons
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A $50 processing fee applies to all refunds.
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No refunds or credits will be given for withdrawals with less than a month’s notice. In this instance, a tax receipt will be issued to you indicating that the program fee was converted to a charitable donation.
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In cases of cancellation due to moving or other major life changes, refunds will be assessed on a case-by-case basis at the discretion of the Director.
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No refunds will be given for vacation time taken outside of regularly scheduled Forest School closures.
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Failure to submit all required health forms 7 days before the first day of school will result in forfeiture of space in the program with no refund.
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TNC reserves the right to cancel, reschedule, or change programs as needed.
Program Policies
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Please respect the wildlife and their homes. Take only pictures…and leave nothing.
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Registrants are asked to please arrive 5 minutes in advance of program/event start time. If participants arrive late, the group may have moved toward the day's program location. We ask late attendees to stop by the Visitors' Center to confirm the group's location.
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Stay home if you are sick.
Payment Policies
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In the event a registered participant can no longer attend, we ask registrants to notify TNC before the first date of the series by emailing the Forest School Director at forestschool@tenaflynaturecenter.org. This allows us to contact any waitlisted families.
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Any payment toward a program will be available for application to a future program within 365 days of the date of withdrawal from the program.
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Any requested refunds in advance of the program start date will be decided on a case by case basis.
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A $50 processing fee applies to all refunds.
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No refunds will be given after a series begins.
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For series based programs, if Tenafly Nature Center cancels (e.g. inclement weather) no refund will be given. This session will have predetermined dates for makeup classes available should TNC cancel a class during the run of this series.
I hereby waive, release and discharge any and all claims for damages for death, personal injury or property damage which I may have, or which hereafter accrue to me, against the Borough of Tenafly or the Tenafly Nature Center Association as a result of my participation in the program/event I am registered for. By participating in a Tenafly Nature Center program/event, I understand I/my child does so at my own risk. The Tenafly Nature Center is a natural environment, and the natural environment contains many known and unknown hazards, and it is impossible to guard against all of them. I realize that accidents and injuries can arise out of the program/event I am registered for, and accordingly, this release is intended to discharge the Borough of Tenafly or the Tenafly Nature Center Association, its trustees, officers, employees, council members, and volunteers, and any public agencies from and against any and all liability arising out of or connected in any way with my participation in the program/event I am registered for in connection with any injuries or damages suffered on our premises, including, but not limited to, injury or damages occasioned by ticks or other insects, wild or domesticated animals, wild or domesticated plants and the topography of the premises. This waiver and release is binding upon my heirs and assigns. I acknowledge that I have been fully informed of the risks and dangers involved in this activity. I acknowledge that I have read, agree, and fully understand the above Warning, Waiver, and Release of Liability. I further acknowledge and agree that the reasons for my being requested to sign this Release have been fully explained to me and I understand them. If any provision, including any exception, part, phrase, or term, or the application thereof to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the application to other persons or circumstances shall not be affected thereby and the validity of this waiver in any and all other respects shall not be affected thereby. By registering for the program/event I agree to this instrument of my own free will and I have not been influenced or coerced by any representative or employee of the Tenafly Nature Center or Borough of Tenafly.
Photo Release:
Children at Forest School are taught methods of demonstrating respect for their peers, adults and the environment. All children are encouraged to resolve interpersonal conflict through age-appropriate conversation. Staff may serve as facilitators to aid in these conversations by providing a safe environment, validating a child’s emotions, and providing a framework for conflict resolution. Conflict is a normal part of childhood (and life), and Forest School provides opportunities for children to learn how to navigate these interactions by developing language, naming emotions, and understanding how behaviors affect others. While rough and tumble play is permitted at Forest School, physical conflict that causes physical or mental harm will not be tolerated, including striking, biting or kicking peers or staff. We will also not permit children to harm wildlife (including insects), break branches off living trees, or pull up plants.
If a child’s behavior poses a physical risk to other children or becomes disruptive to the group, the child will be separated from the group. That child will then work with an adult to regulate before rejoining the group. If a behavior is continuing, parents/guardians and staff will consult to discuss the problem and formulate a plan of action within a reasonable time frame. Children may be given a specific plan and conditions for continued participation in the program.
Tenafly Nature Center does not permit hitting or any form of corporal punishment. Staff will not engage in abusive language, ridicule, harsh, humiliating, or frightening treatment or any other form of emotional punishment. Withholding of physical needs is also forbidden, including food, emotional responses, stimulation, or opportunities for rest.
Expulsion Policy
Tenafly Nature Center reserves the right to request the removal of a child. Such a request will be made if attempts to resolve the situation through the above steps are unsuccessful. Please note that our program staff-to-child ratio is such that this program cannot provided routine, on-going one-on-one support and attention to a child.