Frequently Asked Questions
WEEKLY PRESCHOOL CLASSES
Why is my child's school not listed when registering for weekly preschool classes?
We partner with early learning centers throughout the area. The schools listed on our website represent those who we have partnered with. If you believe your child’s school may be interested in offering our program, please email us at info@happyfeetgrandstrand.com so that we can contact the director. Thank you!
Can I enroll for HappyFeet classes at any time during the school year?
Yes. Our program typically runs month to month and year-round. You may enroll at any time during the school year, and we will prorate your monthly tuition accordingly.
How do I register and how does payment for classes work?
You can register on this website (Click here to register now). Credit cards are billed on the first day of each month. Please note that your child's tuition for the first month will be prorated based on his or her start date. Your CC will be charged for a full month immediately and then refunded (to reflect the proration) before the second month. After you have registered, you will receive a confirmation email to the address provided during the registration process. Please be sure to read the important information in this email and contact us with any questions or concerns. Some schools may take a break during the summer months. If this is the case at your school, then your card will not be charged during this time.
Where are HappyFeet Classes held and what time are they?
HappyFeet classes take place at our partner schools during the school day. Locations for classes include classrooms (e.g., after-school room), gyms, general utility spaces, and playgrounds. We work with school directors to determine the best space in which to hold our weekly classes. Classes at most of our schools take place indoors, or we have a designated space indoors in the event of inclement weather.
What if class is cancelled due to inclement weather, school closures or coach sickness?
HappyFeet classes are scheduled on the same day and at the same time every week. If a HappyFeet class is canceled due to coach sickness or inclement weather, we will either schedule a make-up class or add additional time to future HappyFeet classes (to make up the difference of the missed class). In the event that your child will not be at school on the day of the make-up class, please notify us so that we can prorate your tuition for that month.
The only time that we will not offer a make-up class is when the school is closed on the day of the scheduled HappyFeet class. However, we try to be as fair and accommodating as possible, so we will always discuss fair and logical courses of action with the school director. HappyFeet tuition is based on four classes a month. There are some months when children may get five classes; other months they may get three classes. Over the course of the year, it averages out to four classes per month. There are no HappyFeet classes the week of July 4th or the week between Christmas and the new year.
How will I know what my child is learning in class?
All communication is handled via e-mail and our Facebook page. If you are not receiving emails from us (and you have checked your junk folder), please contact us ASAP! We send out newsletters via e-mail and post video clips & pictures on our Facebook page about the skills the kiddos are learning in class.
The drawback to the convenience we provide by offering our program at school, while parents and caregivers are at work, is that we aren't able to discuss how each child is doing in class individually. If you would like an update on your child’s progress, please contact us at info@happyfeetgrandstrand.com and your child’s coach will contact you directly!
What if we need to take an extended break or withdraw from the program?
Many of our children go on vacation or are simply not at school for extended periods of time. If this applies to your child, simply send us an email in advance to tell us when you will be gone, and we will adjust your tuition to account for the missed weeks. You can discontinue your child's enrollment in the program at any time; however, we do politely ask for a 30-day cancellation notice. This allows us to make the appropriate changes to our coaching and school schedules.
WEEKEND LEAGUES
Who is eligible to attend weekend HappyFeet leagues?
Our HappyFeet league is a great opportunity for kiddos ages 2.5 to 5 participating in HappyFeet classes to show their skills and learn some of the fundamental, tactical principles of soccer! Our league is also open to children who don't attend HappyFeet classes at one of our partner schools, so please invite friends and family to sign up!
How are teams formed?
We create teams based on age. It is important for children of similar age to be together due to likely similarities in physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development. Placing players who are of similar ages on the same team ensures that we can provide a developmentally appropriate experience for your child. We want them to feel comfortable, confident, and have a great time during each session!
Parents and caregivers have the opportunity to request for their child to be on the same team as a friend or group of friends when completing the registration form. While it is not always possible to honor every request, we do everything we can to accommodate as many friend requests as possible.
What should I expect during the league?
During a HappyFeet league session, each child will participate in 20-30 minutes of skills and fitness instruction, a 20-30-minute scrimmage, and 5 minutes of “free play,” where kiddos are encouraged to showcase their skills and score lots of goals! The session will end with a recap of important learning objectives and a HappyFeet sticker! We do not encourage passing at this age! We want each child to have as much time on the ball as possible to maximize technical development. Our focus during our scrimmages is for HappyFeeters to work on dribbling, shooting, and attempting the skill of the week! We want our HappyFeeters to be brave and creative with the ball.
We want every child to make significant progress during our league season. For some, progress may mean learning how to execute difficult soccer moves in a game environment. For others, progress may be scoring their first goal or giving their coach a high five! All of our HappyFeeters begin with a range of experiences, skills, and personalities — we nurture and embrace these differences throughout the league season.
Why do coaches introduce new balls during the scrimmages?
The idea behind this method is to keep the flow of the game constant and increase the number of ball touches by all the players. Introducing new balls eliminates restarts such as throw-ins and corner kicks and keeps the ball in play continuously. Coaches use this method to get some of our less confident and assertive players involved in the game (by rolling the ball towards them). If one team is dominating the game, the advantage can be shifted to the other team by rolling the ball accordingly. This method can also be used to break up a ‘beehive’ (all the players are bunched up around the ball) and will speed up the game, produce more goals, and create more excitement.
What should I do if my child does not want to participate during the first league session?
Please, don't be discouraged if your little one does not participate. It is normal for young children to take a while to adapt to a new and unfamiliar environment. We please ask parents and caregivers to leave the field when the session begins and observe with your little one from the sidelines. It is in the best interest of your child to allow them to learn through observation until they are ready to step onto the field with their soccer coaches & friends. HappyFeet coaches will encourage children back on to the field, without rushing or pressuring them to play. Based on our years of experience doing HappyFeet leagues, the vast majority of children are playing very quickly!
I have registered – why am I not receiving any information?
All communication is handled via e-mail and our Facebook page. If you are not receiving emails from us (and you have checked your junk folder), please contact us ASAP!