Tiny Forest Academy

REFUND & Cancellation POLICY

At TFA, we provide refunds on any fees (not including non-refundable deposits) up to 14 days prior to the start of a program, with a 10% administration fee kept back. Once a program has started, we do not provide refunds for any of the following reasons: dropping out part way through, vacations, illness, or choosing to keep a child home from a program for any reason.

Before TFA issues a refund, it will default to applying a credit for the full amount to the family’s account. We will only provide refunds (with a 10% admin fee) in the following situations:
- In the event that our school must close due to unforeseen circumstances such as natural/health disasters, extreme weather etc.
- In the event we are forced into mandatory closure by our governing bodies
- If a student comes down with an extreme and/or long term illness, that lasts longer than 14 days (proof must be shown)
- If a family moves further than 50km away from TFA after the start of a program (proof must be shown).

All camp programs require a $100/per camper/per week non-refundable deposit to ensure a spot in the program. There is a no refund for this payment under any circumstances, once payment is made.

Thank you for respecting our refund/cancellation policy.

Payment Policy

Payments for all programs are due in FULL 1 month prior to the start date of the program, unless otherwise stated. Payment may be made in instalments up until this date. Our current daily rate is $80.00. We do offer 30 minutes of before care and after care for $5.00/care. Please log in to your parent portal to view your invoice before making payment. Your log in instructions are sent in your confirmation email.

Failure to pay by the due date may result in a 2% daily late fee, and/or the chance of losing your spot to the next family on the waitlist.

Inclement Weather Policy

SNOW DAYS:
Should buses be cancelled in our area, TFA will do our best to REMAIN OPEN. You will be sent a reminder through your class profile on Class Dojo only. If you are unable to make it for your class due to the road conditions, you are required to inform your Mentors through Class Dojo and therefore you will receive a credit towards the following term, or be supplied a refund (minus 10% admin fee) for snow days missed. Please note: Credits will NOT be applied until AFTER the last day of Term. They will be reflected on the following months EFT payment OR issued as a refund if requested.

Should we have to CLOSE the school for any reason due to weather (extreme blizzard warning, extreme wind warnings etc.) all efforts are made to inform parents of such a closure before 7:00am on the effected day. This message will only be delivered via your class profile on Class Dojo.

EXCEPTION: If buses are cancelled in our area, and a family chooses not to attend due to poor driving conditions in their area, they must contact one of their TFA Mentors to let them know the reason for absence. In this case, families will be refunded (minus 10%) for the day. Refunds or credits will be applied at the end of term.

GENERAL Illness Policy

At Tiny Forest Academy, the health and safety of our children, families, and staff is our top priority. Because we operate outdoors year-round, we recognize that some symptoms—especially runny noses—can occur due to cold weather rather than illness. This policy outlines when a child may attend and when they must remain home to rest and recover.

General Guiding Principle

Children should attend only when they are not contagious and are feeling well enough to fully participate in the outdoor program, including active play, hiking, and nature exploration.

Attendance Allowed

Children may attend when they have:

• A clear runny nose due to cold weather, wind, or temperature changes, with no other symptoms.

• Normal energy levels, appetite, and behaviour.

Must Stay Home

Children must stay home if they show any of the following symptoms, even if mild:

Respiratory or Flu-like Symptoms

• Congestion with coloured mucus (yellow or green)

• Persistent or worsening cough, combined with systemic symptoms

• Sore throat

• Fever or chills (in the past 24 hours)

Systemic Symptoms

• Fatigue or unusual tiredness

• Poor sleep the night before due to feeling unwell

• Headaches, body aches, or general discomfort

• General malaise ("just not themselves")

Gastrointestinal Symptoms

• Vomiting or nausea (within past 24 hours)

• Diarrhea (within past 24 hours)

• Significant stomach pain

Other Exclusion Signs

• Rash of unknown cause

• Red or irritated eyes with discharge

• Any symptoms that prevent full and safe participation in active outdoor programming

Return to TFA

Children may return when:

• Symptoms have fully resolved for at least 24 hours, without the use of fever-reducing or symptom-masking medications.

• They have normal energy and appetite.

• They can comfortably take part in the full outdoor program.

Medication

Children taking antibiotics or other medication for a contagious condition may return only after 24 hours on medication, unless otherwise directed by a healthcare provider.

Family Responsibility

Please monitor your child each morning before school. Our staff may contact families for pick-up if a child shows symptoms during the day or is unable to participate comfortably.

TFA Staff Responsibility

TFA Staff are constantly monitoring your children, and take note of when their symptoms and behaviour is irregular. Our staff may contact families for pick-up if a child shows symptoms during the day or is unable to participate comfortably due to obvious, or suspected illness. This is to protect not only the well-being of that child, but peers and staff from contracting the illness as well.

Refund Policy

Refunds are ONLY provided if a child’s illness runs longer than 14 days and a doctor’s note is provided stating they are okay to return and that they were not well enough to come for 2+ sessions. Refunds are not provided for any other missed days due to sickness.