This handbook highlights our values, procedures, and expectations for all WonderWild members.
Contact Info:
You can contact us anytime at KnoxvilleWonderWild@gmail.com
During class hours, you can reach Issa Waters by calling or texting, or sending a message on FB messenger or Signal.
Program Fees: The cost to attend WonderWild per child is $200/month for one day enrollment or $375/mo for two day enrollment. Payment is due the first of the month, and a $25 late fee will be charged for any payments not made by the first class day of the month. There is a one-time $50 enrollment fee per family.
Program Hours: WonderWild operates from 10am to 3pm. Earlier drop-off may be possible on request. Please let us know as soon as you know if you will arrive late for pickup. We may charge an additional fee for chronic late pickup.
Calendar and Closures: We are in session each Monday and Wednesday. In 2026 we are closed for these holidays: Memorial Day – May 25, Labor Day – Sept 7, Thanksgiving Break – November 25, Winter Break December 23 – 28 – 30. We will notify you as soon as possible if we need to close for serious weather situations or staff absence due to illness. If weather or staff illness causes 2 or more unexpected closures in a calendar month, we will issue partial tuition refunds for that month.
Attendance: There is no attendance requirement. To help us with planning, we appreciate a notification if your child will miss a day. Enrollment is on a month-to-month basis. To help us with planning, we appreciate a heads-up if you know you will be withdrawing your child soon.
Legal Homeschool Compliance: Children enrolled at WonderWild are homeschoolers. WonderWild is not a private school or an umbrella school. Each family is responsible for following TN homeschooling laws.
Illness: We ask that your child not come to WonderWild if they are potentially contagious. Signs that they should stay home include fever over 100°; unusual dizziness, weakness, tiredness, or lack of appetite; diarrhea or vomiting; coughing, wheezing, or shortness of breath; pain from earache, headache, or sore throat; extreme nasal congestion; reddened eyes or drainage from eyes; new unidentified rash. In general, children should be symptom-free 24 hours before returning to WonderWild. If your child exhibits any of these symptoms you may be called to pick them up immediately.
Pickup: Only people authorized on record by the parent/legal guardian may pick up a child. Please let us know ahead of time if you will be arriving late.
Participation: We are a collaborative community of eager participants. No child is expected to participate in a specific way. However, all students are expected to want to be here and to want to participate in their own way. We ask that you not enroll children who have a persistent desire to not attend.
Inclusivity: WonderWild is committed to an inclusive learning environment where every individual is valued, respected, and celebrated for their unique qualities. We embrace diversity in all its forms, including but not limited to race, ethnicity, nationality, gender identity, sexual orientation, socio-economic background, family type, religion, ability, and neurodiversity.
Personal Items: Each child has a designated cubby for storing personal items, and they are welcome to bring toys, books, etc. from home to use during the day. They are not required to share personal items with others, however, they should be mindful that items left unattended may be interacted with by others.
Weapons: No weapons are allowed. We encourage our learners to explore their varied interests, which may require weapon-like tools, such as whittling knives or Nerf blasters. We will evaluate these tools on a case-by-case basis to decide what we are comfortable allowing in those instances.
Community Electronic Media: WonderWild has a laptop, an iPad, and an mp3 player, pre-loaded with programs that children are welcome to freely use. Children are encouraged to coordinate with one another to ensure fair access to shared devices.
Personal Electronic Media: Personal media devices are generally not permitted. Children who want a communication device with them are encouraged to leave it in their cubby.
Books, Materials, and Topics Content: We value intellectual inquiry, inclusivity, and accurate knowledge. Our age-appropriate books and materials may include subjects such as the Big Bang, evolution, human anatomy, human sexuality and gender, and identity-inclusive language. We may share resources on world religions from an academic perspective. Conversations between learners are generally not restricted, and they may share topics with one another from their own perspectives. Questions on any topic directed at staff are answered with age-appropriate honesty and straight-forward language.
Borrowing Materials: Most of our tools, books, and other materials are available to take home for a limited time. We keep a check-out list. If you lose or break an item, we may ask you to reimburse us for the cost.
Food: We do not currently have a policy restricting any allergen foods, however that is subject to change at any time based on the needs of enrolled children. Children are welcome to bring a packed lunch from home. A microwave and refrigerator are available. They are also welcome to our selection of ready-to-eat foods which include fresh fruit, fresh vegetables, snack-size meats, pretzels or crackers, and popcorn. We have a shared lunch/circle time where everyone is reminded to eat. However, children can access food any time and are never pressured to eat.
Clothing: We ask that you send your child with weather-appropriate clothing suitable for outdoor play. Our program supports creative play, and children’s clothing may become dirty. We encourage you to send your child in clothes that you’re comfortable getting paint or dirt on. You may wish to keep a change of clothes in your child’s cubby.
Respectfulness: We value respect and cultivate an environment where everyone feels heard, supported, and empowered, as well as physically and emotionally safe. We actively discourage any form of discrimination or harassment, especially hate speech, verbal aggression, or physical aggression. We understand that children are learning, and WonderWild staff will immediately assist all parties when any of these behaviors arise.
Safety and Risk Management: Children at WonderWild are trusted to make decisions, and they may engage in “risky” play. This may include the use of hand tools such as hammers, saws, and hot glue guns. This may include roughhousing and physically imaginative play designed and refereed by the children. WonderWild staff are trained to supervise these activities to maximize children’s autonomy without compromising safety. This includes helping children learn to assess risks vs hazards and how to make responsible choices.
Conflicts: Children routinely experience conflicts between one another. WonderWild staff are trained to differentiate between conflicts that children can be expected to work out between themselves and conflicts that require adult assistance. We use various problem-solving methods to encourage open, engaging conflict resolution between individual children and as a community.
Incident Reporting: Behavior-related incidents that require staff intervention will be reported to you at pickup time.
Emergency Treatment & Reporting: If your child experiences a serious injury or shows signs of a serious illness, you will be contacted immediately. We will seek emergency treatment for your child immediately, even if you cannot be reached.
Non-emergency Accidents & Injuries: WonderWild staff are trained in first aid and will immediately attend to any accidents and injuries. For minor, non-emergency occurrences, you will be notified at pickup time.