FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

Registration:

  • How do I enroll my child?

    • Create or sign into your account with Care.com. If you are a part of our Priority Registration, those who are currently enrolled, an email with links to our classes will be sent to you on the Tuesday of Registration Week at 2pm. At 2pm on Thursday of Registration Week, the site is open for registration to the general public.

  • When do you open registrations?

    • We open registration about 3 weeks before each season. Our seasons historically begin around these dates: Spring (early March), Summer (early June), Fall (early September) and Winter (early December). Priority Registration opens on a Tuesday at 2pm and Priority Registration opens Thursday at 2pm.  

  • What is Priority Registration?

    • Priority registration is open for anyone currently enrolled in a class and wanting to sign up for the upcoming season. This is only available from season to season. For instance, if you sign up for a Spring class and skip Summer, you will not be on Priority for Fall.

  • Can I try a class or do a drop-in before registering?

    • We do not offer tryouts or drop-ins, but you may cancel your reservation up until the 4th week of your season (please give us at least 48 hours notice). You will receive a prorated refund for the remainder of the season.

  • How can I get a refund?

    • Classes are fully refundable before the season begins. You can receive a full refund by notifying SF Tots 48 hours before your first class.

    • After the 4th week of the season refunds are no longer available. If you wish to cancel prior to the 4th week, you must give 48 hours notice and you will receive a prorated refund based on the number of remaining classes minus the $20 administrative fee.

  • What is your discount policy?

    • Sibling Discount - Register 2 or more kids from the same family and receive 10% off the 2nd registration. The discount will be applied to your account within the first few weeks of the season.

    • Multi-Sport Discount - Register one child for more than one class and receive 10% off the 2nd registration

  • I registered for the wrong class - how to switch?

    • If the class that you are interested in still has availability, we can make that switch for you. If the class that you are interested in is fully booked, we can add you to the waitlist and if/when a spot becomes available, you will be notified. In the meantime, you can keep your spot in your existing class, if you wish.

  • Are there any sibling discounts?  

    • Yes! We offer a 10% sibling discount that will be applied to your purchase within the first few weeks of the season.

  • How can I get notified about the registration dates?

  • I added myself on a waitlist. Now what?

    • Great! You can add yourself to as many waitlists as you’d like with no charge. As soon as a spot becomes available, you will receive an email from Care.com. This email will include a link for you to sign up for the class. That link is valid for 48 hours. After that, we will offer the spot to the next person on the waitlist. You need to be signed into your account in order to complete the registration.

  • I’ve called in many times and cannot get a hold of anyone. What’s the best way to contact you?

    • Please email us at info@sftots.com. Since we are out coaching most of the day, email is the best form of communication.

  • Can I switch classes in the middle of the season?

    • Email us at info@sftots.com with your current class information as well as which locations work best for you. We will reply with any pertinent information.

Program Overview:

  • What is SF Tots?

    • SF Tots is a child development program with emphasis on sports. Our programs teach motor skills, communication, teamwork, patience, and introduce sports in a fun, non-competitive environment.

  • How old does my child need to be in order to participate?

    • We have classes for kids aged 18 months through 7 years. 

  • How long is each season?

    • Each season is 10 weeks long. We do not offer drop-in classes.

  • How long are the classes?

    • Our classes range from 40 minutes to 50 minutes long. All non-parent participation classes are 50 minutes long. Most parent participation classes are 40 minutes classes; however, our Leopards II classes are 45 minutes. 

  • My kid has never played soccer before. Would that be a problem?

    • Nope, no problem at all! We are a great place to learn the FUNdamentals of soccer.

  • What parks do you teach classes at and what times?

    • You can check out all our regular locations at sftots.com/locations but please go to Care.com/connect/sftots to see what classes are available at any given time.

  • Do you offer camps?

    • We currently do not offer camps because our main focus is on our daily classes. However, we will let you know if this changes! 

  • Do you offer birthday parties? 

    • Yes, we do! Please visit our Birthday Party info page to see everything you need to know. If you have any questions about birthday parties with SF Tots, you can email us at birthday@sftots.com. 

  • Do you offer private classes?

    • Yes! We can hold private soccer classes or basketball classes for groups of ten children or more. Please contact us at info@sftots.com for information regarding private classes.

  • How do I find my coach or class location?

    • Coaches will be wearing green shirts or gray jackets or even hats with the SF Tots logo on the back. On your first day you will be introduced to your Coach and directed to the field you will be playing on for the season. 

    • If you’re having difficulty finding your location you can look at the reminder email you are sent each week.

  • Want to give us feedback about our Program?

  • Should parents or other adults stay for the class?

    • Yes! We have two types of classes. In parent participation classes, parents are required to participate directly in class. But even in non-parent participation classes, we expect an adult to be present for the full class period. Usually adults will interact with their tots during water breaks, or any needed restroom breaks.

  • My child is not old enough (or older), can they be in a class with a sibling?

    • Unfortunately, for the safety of all our tots and for their development, we try to keep kids appropriately grouped according to their ages. Older or younger siblings are welcome to watch from the sidelines and if it’s possible, the coach can provide some equipment to help entertain the sibling.

  • When is Basketball starting?

    • We’re really excited for basketball to restart as well! Due to COVID-19, we’ve limited use of indoor spaces but we hope to be able to start playing basketball again in the near future. We will notify all parents through the newsletter, through email, and on our website as soon as that happens.

Equipment/Gear Needed:

  • Does my child need to wear cleats? If so, where do I buy them?

    • Cleats aren’t required for any of our classes, it’s up to you. Around the age of 4 is when cleats will help them as they are running faster.

  • Appropriate shoes to wear? Crocs, rain boots, slip on shoes, etc…

    • Any kind of athletic shoe is recommended (sneakers, cleats, running shoes, etc). We ask that Tots do not wear Crocs, slip ons, or rain boots because of the difficulty they pose to the Tots running and kicking around. 

  • What size soccer ball does my child need? / What size soccer balls are these? (the SF Tots balls)

    • For our Bobcats I & II we use a size 2 ball. For all other classes we use a size 3 ball.

  • When do I pick up my uniform or gear package? What happens if we miss the first class?

    • We will have our t-shirts and gear with us for the first few weeks of the season, so no worries about missing the first day!

  • How much does a gear package cost?

    • Gear packages are $20 and $35 respectively. For our parent participation classes the gear package includes white shorts and green socks for $20. The non-parent participation classes gear package includes white shorts, green socks, and shin guards for $35.

Parent Participation Class Requirements:

  • What is required of Parents in a Parent Participation class?

    • Our younger classes need the balance of parents/caregivers plus coaches. Parents and caregivers need to help the Tots through activities such as helping them lineup for a game or helping them move through an obstacle course. The more hands-on you are the better the flow of the class. As much as we want kids to find their independence within a class, parents are needed to help them transition through the games. In our Leopards classes we are working on more independent play but still need parents to help along the way.

  • Do I need to come with my child or can a nanny/another family member/etc bring them?

    • We welcome any adult to bring your child. Please add their name to your account on Care.com as an additional caregiver (Under Settings, go to “Approved Caregivers” and click “Add a caregiver”). 

  • Is it possible for one adult to bring two children?

    • It is possible, but may be harder to engage with both kids and the class. That being said, if you can do it, we allow it!

    • For Bobcats classes, it is highly recommended that there is one adult per Tot; this is especially important during a Tot’s first season. This will ensure that the class flows smoothly and will help your Tot learn the program and participate well in class.

  • I have an infant with me, can I still participate with my older child?

    • Yes! Future soccer players are welcome. It may be harder for you to engage with the class with two kids, but it’s possible. We have infants that will hang out in a carrier while the adult plays with the Tot in class (we are amazed how many actually sleep through the class). Or they sometimes even sit in a stroller off to the side.

Team Photos:

  • When do you take the team photos?

    • We take a team photo on Week #9 (second to last class). Photos are printed and handed out in the last class.

  • We can’t make it to the last class. How to pick up our photo?

    • If you are not able to attend the last class, you have two options to receive your photo. If you are signed up for the next season we can bring the hard copy to you then, otherwise you can email us at info@sftots.com with your mailing address and we can mail the hard copy to you.

Rain Outs:

  • What is your Weather Policy?

    • Due to San Francisco's micro-climates and variable weather patterns, we normally only determine rain-outs within an hour of class time.  Because of the ever changing weather, we play through light rain (drizzle) and when the field is damp.  We will not play in heavy rain, if there are standing puddles on the field, or if Rec & Park has closed fields.  

  • When do I know if my class has been canceled?

    • We will send an email notification for any classes which are canceled due to weather or other reasons. If rain is in the forecast or it has rained heavily in the last 24 hours, please call our rain-out line at (415) 762-5123 Ext 7 within an hour of your class start time. 

  • Do you cancel class if Air Quality is bad? When do we know?

    • Yes, if the AQI is higher than 150 we will cancel class. Similar to rainouts, we try to give at least an hour notice before class should begin. The email will come from Care.com. 

  • Last week’s class got canceled. Do we get a make-up class?

    • The following is our Rainout Make-up Policy:
      For 1 or 2 rainouts:       We will add up to 2 additional weeks for rainout make ups to the end of each season. There are some seasons where we have more than 2 weeks available for makeups so we will add as many as we can before the next season begins.

      For 3 or 4 rainouts: You will have the option to come to another class in the following season(s). A form will be sent out for you to submit a makeup request at the end of the season.

      For 5 or more rainouts: You will have the option to request class credits for any additional rainouts past the 4th rainout which you can use on a future purchase. A form will be sent out for you to submit a credit request at the end of the season.

  • Are classes canceled when it's too hot? 

    • Nope! We understand that San Francisco kids aren’t really used to the heat, so when it is unusually hot we take extra water breaks to ensure everyone stays hydrated. 

Makeup Classes:

  • If we can’t make it to a class, can I join a different class as a make up?

    • At the moment we are unable to offer make-up classes for classes that you miss.

Health & Safety Protocols

  • What are your Covid-19 Safety Protocols?