STUDIO POLICIES

KEEPING INFORMATION CURRENT

Parents / Guardians are responsible for providing emergency contact information and any important information about their children in our Parent Portal prior to attending a class or event at the studio.  In addition, if any information changes, Parents / Guardians are responsible for updating the information via the Parent Portal in a timely fashion.

We will assume the information in your account is current if you have not notified us otherwise.

ENROLLMENT PROCESS

Enrollment can be completed online via the Parent Portal or by calling the studio at 704-246-8271. Tuition is due at the time of enrollment for the month you will start classes. Tuition for the next month will be posted to your account on the 25th and payment will be processed on the 1st of the month.

A $45 Family Studio Feeapplies for each school year and is charged when you enroll your first child in a class at our studio. This fee helps us create with top-of-the-line art supplies (heavyweight paper + painting surfaces, quality paints & pigments, fibers & printmaking materials) and provide you with an easy-to-use Customer Account portal & app (renews annually on the anniversary of your first class enrollment).

CLASS WITHDRAWALS

Classes are ongoing and tuition is paid monthly.  Withdrawals and cancellation of enrollment requires a 30-day notice and can be submitted via email to info@smallhandsbigart.com.

PAYMENT

Payment for a weekly class or drop in class is due at the time of enrollment, which is often prior to the start date.  When enrolling, you will give permission to Small Hands Big Art to charge your card for applicable tuition for the program(s).  Summer Camp balances are due the week prior to camp.  We accept all major credit/debit cards – no cash or checks please.

CAMP WITHDRAWALS

A non-refundable $100 deposit, per child, per camp session, is required to register. The full balance (less your deposit) is due no later than the first day of camp. If you need to cancel and have already paid for the session, your payment (less the non-refundable deposit) will be applied towards a studio credit if we are notified in writing seven days prior to the start of camp (info@smallhandsbigart.com). There are no studio credits offered for last minute cancellations or now shows; however, we’re happy to consider any special circumstances and offer a studio credit at our discretion.

If you’d like to change the camp dates & times, please submit a change request via email at least one week prior to the start of camp to info@smallhandsbigart.com, and we will be happy to accommodate your request, space permitting.

FULL CLASSES

If your preferred class is waitlisted, we always recommend adding yourself to the wait list as there can sometimes be a lot of movement to different classes. If we have any cancellations prior to the first class, we will draw from the waiting list in the order that a registration was received.

CLOTHING

Art is messy! Worrying about keeping clothes and shoes clean restricts the creative process so kids don’t often reach for an apron, although we do have some available. We recommend old comfy play clothes and shoes that can get messy. Crocs and rubber shoes/boots are practical and fun studio attire. Remember – your child is an artist – a little paint in the hair and the occasional purple fingers distinguishes him among his friends who have chosen less adventurous pursuits.

MAKE UP POLICY

Planned Absences

Each student is granted 2 planned absences per academic year. Planned absences must be submitted to info@smallhandsbigart.com prior by the 15th of the month prior so that we can prorate the next month’s tuition accordingly. The full studio will to a break from weekly classes the weeks of Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, and Easter/Spring Break and you will not have to use a planned absence for those weeks.

Unplanned Absences

Life happens and we totally get that. We truly appreciate when a sick student stays home from class. Makeups for unplanned absences will be scheduled on a case-by-case basis with priority being placed on providing all students with a consistent and positive experience within the curriculum cycle. If a makeup class option does not align with the curriculum, our instructors will do their absolute best to ensure each student is caught up, sent home w/ extra info/supplies to work on their own, or pivoted to stay on track within their regularly scheduled next class. Prorations towards future classes will not be provided for unplanned absences.

In the rare event a class is cancelled due to low enrollment, we will either give you a refund or apply the class fee to another class at your option.

MEDICAL, BEHAVIORAL, DEVELOPMENTAL ISSUES

For your child’s safety, Parents/Guardians are responsible for providing detailed information during enrollment via the Parent Portal regarding all medical conditions (such as allergies, diabetes, etc.) as well as behavioral and/developmental conditions (such as ADHD, autism, etc.).

We require all children who are prescribed an epi-pen, inhaler, or diabetic monitor carry it with them at all times while on the premises, no exceptions. Parents/Guardians assume full responsibility for their child’s allergies and medical conditions.

INCLEMENT WEATHER

We will generally adhere to the Mecklenburg County Public School System schedule in the event of inclement weather. Check our website home page for announcements. If the studio is closed due to weather, we will notify you of make-up classes. If school is delayed, the studio will hold classes at its regular time; however, please contact the studio if it is not possible for your child to attend. Please check our website for updates, or call the studio for special announcements.

FOOD ALLERGY INFORMATION

We strive to be allergy conscious and provide a safe environment for your child. Parents/Guardians are responsible for indicating any allergies or other medical conditions of the child on the Permission Form, and promptly updating us if there are any changes to that information. ANY FOODS CONTAINING NUTS OR NUT INGREDIENTS, OR MANUFACTURED IN A FACILITY THAT HANDLES NUTS, ARE STRICTLY PROHIBITED. ALL SNACKS DURING SUMMER CAMP, EXCLUDING FRESH FRUITS & VEGGIES, MUST BE IN THE ORIGINAL PACKAGING, NO EXCEPTIONS. Click here for a list of nut-free snacks.

Small Hands Big Art exercises reasonable care and precautions to minimize the risk of food-related allergic reactions during summer camp snack time, including implementing, communicating, & enforcing our strict no-nut snack policy; however, we do not in any way ensure that the risk of food-related allergic reactions are completely mitigated, nor does it assume liability for any food-related allergic reactions. We require all children who are prescribed an epi-pen, inhaler, or diabetic monitor carry it with them at all times while on the premises, no exceptions. Parents/Guardians assume full responsibility for their child’s allergies and medical conditions.