Welcome to Cascade Christian Schools’ Puyallup Early Learning Center!
We are so glad you’re here! Below are some frequently asked questions:
What are your hours of operation?
Our early learning center is open from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, year-round (closed major holidays). See district-wide calendar.
What is the difference between the part-day and full-day kindergarten prep (KPrep) programs?
- Full-day KPrep (also referred to as childcare) is offered to serve working parents year-round, five days a week for extended hours.
- Part-day KPrep is offered for two to five days a week (depending on age) for about 2 3/4 hours per session. This program follows the regular school year calendar.
- The same curriculum and lesson plan format are implemented in both programs.
At what age can children start part-day KPrep?
We begin part-day KPrep at age 3. Children must be age 3 by September 1, and all students must be completely potty-trained.
What training are your teachers and staff required to have?
Our lead teachers have their CDA certification, are encouraged to have at least an AA degree, and are required to have 10 hours of continuing education over the state-required minimums. All teachers are required to have 20 hours per year of ongoing education.
What ages may attend full-day KPrep (childcare)?
We have all-day (childcare) classes for ages 6 weeks old through 5 years old.
What is a typical day like in KPrep?
The children have an opportunity to participate in outdoor, circle time, snack time, and free choice activities.
Does the center provide snacks and lunch?
In the full-day program, we provide morning and afternoon snacks, and lunch. We are part of the USDA Program.
In the part-day program, the children take turns bringing a healthy snack on their special helper day.
What types of activities are available for the children?
Young learners in our early learning programs are prepared for kindergarten and school success through our age-appropriate focus on personal/social, intellectual, physical, and spiritual development.
Infants and toddlers are supported and encouraged by early learning professionals to discover and achieve developmental milestones in a safe, compassionate environment.
For our KPrep students (ages 3–5), the “Get Set for School” curriculum addresses different learning styles through a multi-sensory approach. The curriculum uses engaging lessons that invite active, hands-on participation in the areas of reading and writing, language and literacy, and numbers and math. Science, art, and music round out the core curriculum.
What are your emergency and inclement weather procedures? Is there a difference in closures for the full-day and part-day programs?
See our school Emergency & Inclement Weather page.
What is your sick policy?
We ask parents to keep a child home if the child has a fever or is vomiting. If a child has strep throat or pink eye, the child must be on medication for at least 24 hours before returning to school. Other diseases may have longer at-home times. Please refer to the Early Learning Health and Safety section in our District Parent/Student Handbook for more details.
Do you give parents KPrep progress reports?
We give progress reports twice a year. Parents are invited to meet with the teachers at this time, but a parent may request a conference with a teacher or the director at any time.
How do you communicate with the parents?
Communication to parents comes through class newsletters, center newsletters, email, teacher communication, signs, phone calls, letters, and social media.
How do you handle emergencies?
The school has a district health coordinator (registered nurse) who reviews and manages general policies and practices that pertain to student health-related matters. Our staff members are trained each year in CPR, first aid, and the proper handling of blood-borne pathogens. And they are trained to call 9-1-1 in a true medical or security emergency.