Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I enroll my child?
- Registration for Acorn Academy opens on Monday April 14th, 2025. You can learn more and enroll your child on our website. There are two steps to register:
-
- Fill out an Inquiry Form here, and we'll email you tuition rates and a link to register.
- Once you review tuition and are ready to take the next step, complete the registration form (you'll find the link in your email!) to tell us more about your family. *Please note that the Inquiry Form and the Registration Form are both required steps.
- Is there a screening process? How do you determine who gets priority?
-
- Acorn Academy will accept children on a first come, first served basis, based on available space in each specific classroom by age group. We believe that every parent and child deserves child care and we do not implement a screening process for admissions. Priority will be given to siblings of enrolled students, families who have both parents working at Elon and families who enroll their children on a full time 5 day schedule.
- Acorn Academy will accept children on a first come, first served basis, based on available space in each specific classroom by age group. We believe that every parent and child deserves child care and we do not implement a screening process for admissions. Priority will be given to siblings of enrolled students, families who have both parents working at Elon and families who enroll their children on a full time 5 day schedule.
- What is Vivvi and how is Elon partnering with them?
-
- Vivvi provides child care and early learning for today’s families. Elon is partnered with Vivvi to operate a hiqh-quality child care and early learning program for children of our staff, faculty and students.
- Vivvi provides child care and early learning for today’s families. Elon is partnered with Vivvi to operate a hiqh-quality child care and early learning program for children of our staff, faculty and students.
- Are all employees of Elon and enrolled students eligible for care at Elon’s child care center or are there prioritized members of the community?
-
- As an employer-sponsored child care facility, Elon University full-time faculty, staff and students receive priority enrollment and tuition rates.
- As an employer-sponsored child care facility, Elon University full-time faculty, staff and students receive priority enrollment and tuition rates.
- Can other members of our community enroll at Elon’s child care center?
-
- No, at this time, Acorn Academy is only open to eligible full-time employees of Elon and enrolled students. Part time employees are not eligible at this time.
- No, at this time, Acorn Academy is only open to eligible full-time employees of Elon and enrolled students. Part time employees are not eligible at this time.
- When will Elon’s child care center open?
-
- Acorn Academy is scheduled to open in late Summer 2025, dependent upon timely construction and licensing.
- Acorn Academy is scheduled to open in late Summer 2025, dependent upon timely construction and licensing.
- What is the location?
-
- Acorn Academy will be conveniently located in the current psychology and human service studies building on South Campus.
- Acorn Academy will be conveniently located in the current psychology and human service studies building on South Campus.
- What is Elon’s child care center’s capacity?
-
- Acorn Academy can accommodate up to 30 infant, toddler and 2-year-old children initially, and will expand to accommodate additional classrooms starting in January 2026.
- Acorn Academy can accommodate up to 30 infant, toddler and 2-year-old children initially, and will expand to accommodate additional classrooms starting in January 2026.
- What ages will the school serve?
-
- Upon opening, Acorn Academy will offer child care and early learning for infants, toddlers, and 2-year-olds, from ages 6 weeks through 36 months, with additional classrooms for ages 3, 4 and 5 opening in January 2026.
- Upon opening, Acorn Academy will offer child care and early learning for infants, toddlers, and 2-year-olds, from ages 6 weeks through 36 months, with additional classrooms for ages 3, 4 and 5 opening in January 2026.
- Is Elon’s child care center open during University breaks and over the summer?
-
- Yes, Acorn Academy will be open during University breaks and over the summer, with the exception of some U.S. holidays and professional development days for Elon’s child care center staff and faculty. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive, dependable child care and learning solution for working parents.
- Yes, Acorn Academy will be open during University breaks and over the summer, with the exception of some U.S. holidays and professional development days for Elon’s child care center staff and faculty. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive, dependable child care and learning solution for working parents.
- What are the tuition rates?
- Tuition for Acorn Academy is dependent on the age of your child, the schedule you choose and your salary. You can learn about your tuition rates by filling out the inquiry form on the Acorn Academy website. After filling out the form, you’ll receive an email with tuition rates and a link to complete your registration.
- Families will submit their deposit and ongoing tuition payments through an app called Brightwheel. Brightwheel will help parents process payments easily throughout their Acorn Academy experience.
- Can I use my DCFSA (Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account) for Acorn Academy?
- Yes, employees will be able to use their Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account to help budget for child care and summer program expenses for children under the age of 13. If you haven’t already established a Dependent Care FSA, you won’t need to wait for open enrollment this fall should your child attend Acorn Academy, you can open the account when you enroll your child. Click here to learn more or enroll in a Dependent Care Flex Spending Account.
- What is the learning style for Elon’s child care center?
-
- Elon’s child care center will use an inquiry-based curriculum that encourages children to build developmental skills through play-based activities and nurtures each child’s curiosity about the world around them. Vivvi (the operating partner for Acorn Academy) is working closely with Elon to implement a research-based learning program incorporating the most up-to-date early childhood education strategies and practices.
- Elon’s child care center will use an inquiry-based curriculum that encourages children to build developmental skills through play-based activities and nurtures each child’s curiosity about the world around them. Vivvi (the operating partner for Acorn Academy) is working closely with Elon to implement a research-based learning program incorporating the most up-to-date early childhood education strategies and practices.
- What are your teacher’s qualifications?
-
- Elon’s child care center will be filled with caring, passionate and expert educators who will bring its unique curriculum to life, and provide each child with the tools they need to reach their developmental milestones and inspire a lifelong love of learning.
- Elon’s child care center will be filled with caring, passionate and expert educators who will bring its unique curriculum to life, and provide each child with the tools they need to reach their developmental milestones and inspire a lifelong love of learning.
- Is there a sibling discount?
-
- Yes, there is a 10% sibling discount off of one of the children’s monthly tuition.
- Yes, there is a 10% sibling discount off of one of the children’s monthly tuition.
- Are meals going to be provided?
-
- Acorn Academy will provide daily snacks for children and parents will be expected to provide pre-mixed bottles and packed lunches.
- Acorn Academy will provide daily snacks for children and parents will be expected to provide pre-mixed bottles and packed lunches.
- What are the hours and days available?
-
- Elon’s child care center will be open five days a week, Monday through Friday throughout the year, 7:30am - 6pm.
- Elon’s child care center will be open five days a week, Monday through Friday throughout the year, 7:30am - 6pm.
- How can I stay in the know about Elon’s child care center?
-
- If you’re not ready to enroll yet, but would like to learn more about Acorn Academy, please add yourself to our Newsletter List to stay informed.
- If you’re not ready to enroll yet, but would like to learn more about Acorn Academy, please add yourself to our Newsletter List to stay informed.
- Does Acorn Academy offer a Summer Camp option?
- Yes, Acorn Academy will offer two weeks of summer camp August 11-22, 2025 for children ages 5-12 to bridge the gap between traditional summer camps and the start of the school year. You can learn more about Summer Camp at Acorn Academy here.
- Who do I contact with additional questions?
- For more information, please contact the Elon Office of Human Resources at hr@elon.edu; 336-278-5560