Quality
Our ratios are in accordance with Pennsylvania law:
Infants 1:4
Young Toddlers 1:5
Old Toddlers 1:6
Preschool 1:10
School-age 1:12
FELS is committed to providing services to children with special needs, by providing a safe classroom environment, for children who have developmental delays, behavioral challenges, or special medical needs. During the enrollment process, each child’s special needs are discussed. Parents are requested to share information if their child has received services from an early intervention provider.
Tuition
Yes, it is for eligible families through Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) and FELS scholarship program to help enrolled families who cannot afford the full cost of care.
Checks or Money Orders (payable to FELS) are mailed to the Central Administration office. Payments may also be made using Visa, MasterCard, and automatic ACH transfer or online through the Tuition Express portal. Cash is not accepted for payment toward tuition or fees at any time and Centers are not permitted to accept payments at any time.
Eligibility is set by the State. Please contact our Pre-K Counts and Head Start Coordinator:
Jackeline Figueroa:
215-725-8930 x155
Communication
Parents receive weekly updates through our One Call communication system which shares special events, curriculum information, photos, and timely reminders. The One Call system is the primary way parents are informed about emergency and weather-related closings.
FELS remains open whenever possible to provide service to our families. We recognize that parents need to go to work and depend on us for child care. We, therefore, make a concerted effort to open if at all possible. In most cases when public schools are closed and the forecast indicates hazardous road conditions, a heavy snowfall, or major power outages expected, FELS will be closed.
School Age
School-Age programs are offered for children who attend Farrell Elementary School in Northeast Philadelphia. Care is available during public school holidays at the Paley Center. The program uses a club format designed to meet the social, recreational, and educational needs of your child. Homework support is available.
Camp Woodlight, located at the Paley Center, offers a full-day summer camp experience on several acres abutting Pennypack Park. Open to the community, campers enjoy breakfast, lunch, and afternoon snacks; art and team building activities, and more! Field trips to places like LEGOLAND Discovery and The Franklin Institute and swimming in a full-length pool are what make this program such a success. For more information, contact Erin Guzikowski, at eguzikowski@FELSkids.org, or 215-725-8930 x 153.
General
All FELS Centers currently operate year-round from 7:00 am – 5:30 pm Monday-Friday. Effective 8/25/2025, all centers will operate from 7:00 am – to 6:00 pm.
FELS enrolls children in our Centers all year round. If space is not available, we strongly suggest you place your child on a Waiting List with a $200 deposit.
If a family is waitlisted and does not receive a roster spot 30 days after their expected start date, they will have the following options:
Restart the waitlist process: The family can keep their deposit and remain on the waitlist. They will be given priority if a roster spot opens up in the future.
Request a refund: The family can request a full deposit refund.
Mornings are the best time to tour so you can observe, firsthand, the children in action engaged in Creative Curriculum and STEM activities.