General Policies

1. Please be on time to class.  When you arrive, please wait in the waiting area.  The teacher will come to greet you before class begins.  If you are late, please leave your belongings in the waiting area and then come directly into the studio.  Remember to leave extra time in inclement weather and at heavy traffic times.  It is our policy to begin all classes on time regardless of how many children are in attendance.
2. Park in the semi-circle drive.  Please ENTER by the mailbox and pull through, keeping tight to the left side of the circle.  Clark Street and Grant Avenue serve as a "cut through" for emergency vehicles; therefore, we ask you to consider parking on the street ONLY after the semi-circle is full.
3. You are responsible for your child/children while on the premises; please do not allow children to wander outside of your control.
4. In order to prevent overcrowding of the waiting and parking areas, we respectfully ask that you leave directly after your class.  We love to have families forming and furthering friendships through Kindermusik and encourage you to reconvening at one another's homes or a local park, playground or coffee shop as a post-class tradition.
5. When you know you will be absent, please call the studio.  Three (3) make-up classes/lessons are permitted per year.  To schedule a make-up please contact the studio before 5:00pm at least 48 hours in advance of your preferred make-up time.  Additional make-ups are considered on a case-by-case basis after a written request has been submitted to the director.
6. Don't be afraid to sing to/with your child.  Please attempt to sing using your head voice - this may be a higher register than you are used to.  Your child loves the sound of your voice no matter how badly you think you sound!  The Home CD and your teacher will provide you and your child with an appropriate vocal model that will encourage tuneful, joyful singing.  Do not hesitate to ask your teacher for help if you are feeling uncomfortable with singing!
7. If your child's behavior becomes disruptive (i.e. excessively loud, about to hurt another child, overly aggressive, etc.) please take him/her for a little "cooling down" period just outside the classroom door.  Give simple choices about returning to the class, such as, "Are you ready to join the fun again or do you want stay here and be sad/mad/etc.?"  Sometimes more than one time-out may be necessary, but soon your child will adopt appropriate behavior.  We suggest that you not allow your child to play with the toys in the waiting room during this time.
8. Many of your child's musical responses may occur at home and not in class.  This is nothing to worry about, as long as you are observing musical response somewhere.  There are many factors that will affect your child's in-class behavior: personality, day-to-day temperament, age and learning style of the child; the child's comfort level; the level of participation and enthusiasm of the parent or caregiver; the amount of music-making enjoyed in the home; the consistency of attendance and the length of time the child is involved in the program.  All programs at OGMS are designed to start at the child's current level of development and then guide them toward more focused learning.  Like Kindermusik, our philosophy is based on the process involved in learning to learn.

Village and Our Time

1. The Hello Song is your cue that time for chatting with other adults is over and your focused attention should now be on your child and the activities your teacher is providing.  Please restrict social talk with other adults during class time.  Take advantage of this wonderful and rare opportunity to fully focus on your child.
2. Try to learn the songs and activities as quickly as possible.  This will greatly enhance your child's enjoyment and progress in class and at home. 
3. You are encouraged to be as consistent with your child's attendance as possible so that your child will gain the most out of the program.
4. While in class, participate with your child in a way that is developmentally appropriate for him/her.  Always be enthusiastic, maintain constant eye contact with your child and smile often in class.  Attempt to participate in all activities following your baby's mood and developmental abilities.  If your child is not in the mood for something today it is okay to simply sit/lie down and rock.  There may be a better time at home to try the activity again. If your child strays from the group, try to continue participating in an enthusiastic manner and direct your focus on the activities so that your child may observe and model your response.  At times it may be necessary to participate "on the move," crawling or trotting alongside your child.  With these age groups, these types of responses are far more appropriate than a reprimand or negative attention. Remember that Village and Our Time classes are designed to provide YOU with a repertoire of musical activities for home as well as an understanding of how music develops your baby's brain in preparation for learning.
5. Try to observe your child objectively, both at home and in class.  Remember to look for the little signs that show your child is engaged (i.e. eye contact, body posture, and spontaneous musical play at home).  Try to avoid making comparisons between the children.  Each one will respond in his/her own way and time.

Imagine That

1. You are encouraged to be as consistent with your child's attendance as possible so that your child will gain the most out of the program.  If your child is absent, you should refer to your child's "At Home" materials and/or weekly email in order to complete the home activity for the week.
2. Encourage your child to use the washroom (and wash hands!) before class begins.
3. During the first portion of each lesson (30 - 35 minutes) your child will participate with the other children from their class.  For the remaining 10 - 15 minutes, adults and siblings will be invited in to participate in activities with the class.  Please do not come into the classroom until the teacher invites you or the children come to get you.  It is very important that you are on time for this special "Sharing Time."  Please restrict social talk with other adults during Sharing Time so that you can more fully take advantage of this wonderful and rare opportunity to be fully focused on your child.
4. Separation anxiety is a normal part of the child's developing independence at this age.  If your child has difficulty leaving you on the first day, you are more than welcome to stay in the classroom until he/she is comfortable.  It is often helpful to physically show your child where you will be waiting while she/he is in class.  If your child needs weekly reassurance, you may want to speak with the teacher to work out a gradual process of being able to leave your child for the whole class.
5. You may observe that children respond differently during Sharing Time (when you are present) than when they are together with the other children and the teacher.  Some children become more outspoken while others may become shy and more withdrawn.  Be assured that this is a normal part of growing up.  If you find this change in behavior particularly concerning, please do not hesitate to speak with your child's teacher.

Young Child

1. You are encouraged to be as consistent with your child's attendance as possible so that your child will gain the most out of the program.  Consistent attendance is extremely important since the Young Child program is a series of building blocks.  Each lesson builds upon the previous one.  If your child is absent, you should refer to your child's At Home materials and weekly email in order to complete the home activity for the week.
2. Encourage your child to use the washroom (and wash hands!) before class begins.
3. Separation anxiety is a normal part of the child's developing independence at this age.  If your child has difficulty leaving you on the first day, you are more than welcome to stay in the classroom until he/she is comfortable.  It is often helpful to physically show your child where you will be waiting while she/he is in class.  If your child needs weekly reassurance, you may want to speak with the teacher to work out a gradual process of being able to leave your child for the whole class.
4. During the first portion of each lesson (40 - 45 minutes) your child will participate with the other children from their class.  For the remaining 10 - 15 minutes, adults and siblings will be invited in to participate in activities with the class.  Please do not come into the classroom until the teacher invites you or the children come to get you.  It is very important that you are on time for this special "Sharing Time."  Please restrict social talk with other adults during Sharing Time so that you can more fully take advantage of this wonderful and rare opportunity to fully focus on your child.
5. You may observe that children respond differently during Sharing Time (when you are present) than when they are together with the other children and the teacher.  Some children become more outspoken while others may become shy and more withdrawn.  Be assured that this is a normal part of growing up.  If you find this change in behavior particularly concerning, please do not hesitate to speak with your child's teacher.
6. Home Learning Resources: Each week your child will receive a new activity page and/or item in their games bag, a "Music At Home" card and an attendance sticker for their folder.  All of the items given out for the games bag and folder (and instrument, when applicable) must be brought to class each week in your child's purple tote bag.  The CD and Songbook should be left at home.  Music making at home is central to this curriculum.  Weekly follow-through at home is encouraged and expected - just be sure to keep it playful and challenging, but respectful of your child's tolerance for frustration.

Refund Policy

Studio Refund Policy
Deposits are not refundable, but tuition and materials fees are refundable if we are notified in writing or by email 2 weeks prior to the start of the class.

Fall/Winter/Spring

Under our Customer Satisfaction Guarantee, anyone who has attended 6 consecutive classes, working with the Kindermusik Educator to address any concerns, and still finds that they are not satisfied, receives a 100% refund.

Instrumental Lessons Refund Policy
Under our Customer Satisfaction Guarantee, anyone who has attended 6 consecutive lessons, working with the instrumental instructor to address any concerns, and still finds that they are not satisfied, receives a 100% refund.

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