Parents Guide

Information to Parents about our Services

We provide the parents guide as a reference to the services we offer, details on what is expected and how we do child care.

Table of Contents

Our Mission

At Alta Children's Center, we are committed to providing safe, enriching, and flexible childcare where children experience the joy of play in a nurturing community, fostering a sense of belonging as they explore and have fun. We aim to empower families to enjoy their mountain experience with peace of mind, knowing their children are in a secure and loving environment.

When you hit the slopes, you want to make sure your child has an enjoyable day too. At the Alta Children’s center, you can be sure that your child receives the best care possible – and has a wonderful time to boot!

The Alta Children’s Center is a state-licensed child care facility approved to care for 40 children only from ages 6 weeks to 12 years.

Throughout the winter season and we provide a safe and nurturing environment with a variety of age appropriate materials to explore, create and learn with.

PS: Reservations are required, because space is subject to availability due to increased demand.

Infant and toddler Care (6 weeks to 24 months)

Our Infant care program is available to children between six weeks and 24 months of age. Parents will need to fill out an infant care sheet upon arrival to ensure that we properly meet the needs of your child’s diet, schedule and routine. Our infant room is well stocked with the nursery specific items such as cribs, rocking chairs, swings, soft toys and board books, bowls, spoons, bibs, table food, and milk. We have a beautiful nap room to ensure tranquility for your child’s naptime. Of course, you are always welcome to bring anything specific you would like for your child. In addition, please be sure to bring the following items;

What to bring: Please be sure to label ALL your child’s belongings to ensure that they make the trip back home with you.

  • DIAPERS AND WIPES
  • CHANGE OF CLOTHES
  • BREAST MILK OR FORMULA (AS NEEDED)
  • STRAINED FOOD (AS NEEDED)
  • COMFORT ITEM (PACIFIER, BLANKET, ETC. AS NEEDED)

Children (2 years and up)

Children 2 years and above enjoy playing in the areas designed for specific activities such as dramatic play, creative arts, literacy, science & mat exploration, music, block and physical activity play. Your child’s day will include unstructured and structured play, time outside and inside (yes, we have a bounce house) for gross motor play, healthy morning and afternoon snacks, lunch and rest time to keep your child happy and active all day.

What to bring - Please be sure to label ALL your child’s belongings to ensure that they make the trip back home with you.

  • DIAPERS AND WIPES (AS NEEDED)
  • CHANGE OF CLOTHES
  • COMFORT ITEM (PACIFIER, BLANKET, ETC)

Ski School (4 years and up)

We work closely with the Alf Engen Ski School. Private lessons for 3-year-olds are subject to capacity and availability. The ski school does not accept advance private lesson reservations for 3-year-olds. For further information please visit Alf Engen Ski School (alta.com) or call 801-799-2271 for specific information on private lessons. Children ages 4 and older can pre-register for full day Ski Adventure group lessons.  For more information and reservations, click this link: Kid's First-Time Ski Adventures (alta.com). The large conveyor belt is open to the public, where you can take your child to learn how to ski!

Meals

We pride ourselves in offering delicious healthy food to the children. With occasional substitutions the menu is filled with whole grains, lean meats, fresh fruits and vegetables served with 1% milk and water. Please highlight allergies and/or sensitivities during enrollment! Please see our detailed Meals page.

Our Staff

At the Alta Children’s Center, our staff take pride in creating a nurturing and creative atmosphere where your child can play, learn and grow. Each member of our teacher team is trained in early childhood education, has been federally background checked and is certified in infant and child CPR and First Aid. Under the direction of Ilse Wilson, owner of Fairyland Child Care, Inc. dba Alta Children's Center, she ensures high quality because quite simply put, her passion is child care. She has her degree in Early Childhood Education, won the 2016 Early Childhood Teacher of the Year and is a 2017 National teacher award winner. Ilse was born in South Africa to a German family and speaks English, Afrikaans and German fluently. Take a look at our Child Care Providers Page.

Pricing and Packages

Full Pricing and Package details are located here.

Insurance

The Alta Children’s Center carries business liability insurance. Liability is based on each occurrence or a general aggregate. Medical expenses carry a $5,000 per person insurance; and additionally, we have Fire Legal Liability. Workman’s Compensation insurance is also carried for all employees.

Need Evening Care?

The babysitting service in Little Cottonwood Canyon is Mountain Sitters. Visit their website at  https://www.mountainsidesitters.com/  for details and rates.

Additional resources are available through the director. Email us at fun@altachildrenscenter.com or use the Contact Us form on our website.

Reservations

Unlike other ski resort childcare facilities, Alta Children's Center has a large space of approximately 1600 square feet. We can guarantee reservations that are made 48 hours in advance- although we definitely recommend making early reservations. Please note that online reservations close 48 hours in advance. For example, if you are booking care for Monday, your reservation must be completed by Friday at 11:59 PM.

 A non-refundable deposit is required to secure your reservation for any amount of days. If your travel plans change, you may transfer the deposit to a different day. We highly recommend making advanced reservations to guarantee your child’s spot. Reservations can be made on our Reservations page.

Flexible "Any 4 Hours" Option

At Alta Children's Center, we understand that flexibility is key for families enjoying their time at Alta. With our “Any 4 Hours” option, the clock starts when you drop off your child, allowing you to make the most of your day at your own pace. This approach ensures a relaxed and stress-free experience, giving you the flexibility to tailor your plans without feeling rushed. 

Whether you choose a morning, midday, or afternoon drop-off, your child will receive four hours of exceptional care, engaging activities, and nurturing support. Mealtimes are offered around 9:30 AM, 12:00 PM, and 3:00 PM, ensuring that your child’s nutritional needs are met during their time with us.

Flexible Scheduling at Our Childcare Center

Our reservation system currently only allows you to pick either full-day or half-day care. If you're interested in a combination of both, we recommend reserving full-day childcare for all the days you might need, as you’ll only pay for the actual time your child is in care at the end of your stay. We understand that plans often change, especially during vacations when managing schedules with children can be unpredictable. That’s why our childcare program is designed to provide maximum flexibility and peace of mind for families.


Flexible Reservations: You can easily adjust your plans as needed. If you’ve initially booked a half-day and decide you need a full day of care, you can seamlessly extend your reservation at any point during your stay. With this pay-as-you-go flexibility, you can confidently plan your vacation, knowing your childcare needs are fully accommodated. Let’s face it, your little one is our favorite collateral. We know they’ll have such a great time that you’ll love the flexibility as much as we do. 

Cancellation

Please give us a 48-hour notice when cancelling your reservation, to accommodate another child's enrollment.
There is no cancellation fee, but the deposit paid is non-refundable. If you have purchased a multi-day package you may adjust your days as needed but ALL remaining days, after the expiration date, will expire.