Contact Us

FAQs
Parent Handbook

Mill Creek Office: 425.931.8092

Fax: 425.222.2323

Located on the campus of Gold Creek Community Church

Address: 4326 148th St SE, Mill Creek WA 98012

Summer Office Hours Mill Creek: 9-1:00 pm (Mon.-Thurs.)

Email us at info@kidsatthecreek.com

We’d Love to Connect with You!

Contact Us

Where We’re Located in Mill Creek

Frequently Asked Questions

Are you a preschool, daycare or both?

We are an early childhood educational program specializing in building a strong foundation for learning in preschool, Pre-K, and Kindergarten. We do not provide childcare beyond our class times.

Can I tour your school?

Sign up for an in-person tour today on our home page!  Bring your child so we can meet them!  We’d love for you to check out our virtual tour and take a look at the FAQs! It’s a great way to learn more about us.

What curriculum do you use for Preschool and Pre-K?

We follow the guidelines of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), for developmentally appropriate practice.  Our early childhood education programs for Preschool and Pre-K are child-centered and teacher-created. All curricular areas are integrated into our play-based learning environment. Our process art is all about the process your child goes through and the decisions they make to create a masterpiece every single time!  Our programs are designed to progress with your child’s growth and abilities each year.

What does a typical day look like?

SAMPLE SCHEDULE

A typical preschool or pre-k day begins with children either walking independently or receiving a guided hand from a teacher to their classroom. Upon arrival, they hang up their coats and school bags before washing their hands. They then engage in free play as their classmates arrive.

Following free play, the class gathers for group time.  It’s an engaging time of music and movement activities, discussions, sharing, the Pledge of Allegiance, and what is available for art and play in the room today.

Learning through play is facilitated by thoughtfully designed centers that align with our age-appropriate curriculum. Children can explore various activities, including process art, science experiments, sensory exploration, manipulative play, themed exploration, and sorting activities. The day also includes a small provided snack, recess, and quiet activities such as story time, reading books, and solving puzzles. At the end of the school day, the children walk to the lobby for dismissal.

What is your student to child ratio?

Preschool-Kindergarten classes may go up to 16 children in a class with two teachers.

Tiny Twos/Little 3’s may go up to 12 children in a class with two teachers.

KATC Kindergarten — Tell me more!

Our half-day and full-day kindergarten programs are designed to be both educational and enjoyable. Our certified teachers are experienced and accountable for ensuring that their students meet state standards and are well-prepared for first grade. We primarily use the Wonders program (McGraw-Hill) for literacy, supplemented by resources like Nellie Edge and Writing Foundations. For math, we incorporate Math for Love and Guided Math. Science instruction includes Generation Genius, along with various STEM activities. Additionally, arts and social studies are integrated throughout the week, along with physical education.
We run a rigorous program aimed at helping students who are socially, emotionally, and academically ready for kindergarten to transition successfully to first grade by June. Students should be able to participate in group learning environments, work independently, follow teacher directions, and communicate appropriately. Our favorable student-to-teacher ratio supports our efforts to prepare children for this next step. We are not equipped to provide one-on-one support as a standard practice.
There is dedicated time for recess and social play each day, typically 15 minutes for half-day students and longer for those in the full-day program. We believe that kindergartners need opportunities to develop their social skills through activities like playing with Lego, creating art with friends, and engaging with toys alongside their peers. Learning during play is just as essential as acquiring academic skills.

How does registration work?

Registration for the upcoming school year will open in February for current and alumni families first. Public registration will open one week later. Check the website for more details on dates and times.

Registration is done online and is ongoing.

If you are interested in enrolling for the current school year, call our office at 425.931.8092 or email us at info@kidsatthecreek.com

What if my first choice of class/time is full when I register?

If you are unable to register for a class, it is most likely full. From there, you are welcome to add your child to the wait-list(s). It’s helpful to have a second or third choice in mind when you go to register so that you can select one of those classes in order to be able to secure a spot in a class.  You are not charged anything extra to be on a wait-list. Please know that there are a lot of changes that happen between registration opening and the beginning of school. Once a spot opens up in a class, we contact the next person on the wait-list to offer the spot. We will call or email you, so please ensure your contact info is correct in the Parent Portal. We have no way of predicting whether a spot will open up for your child, but we know from experience that many changes occur, and we work the wait lists diligently.

Although you will enter a credit card in the Parent Portal for registration, if you are only on a wait-list, you will not be charged a registration fee until you actually secure a spot in a class.

What should I send with my child the first day of school?

We will provide your child with a school bag and a daily snack. Here is how you can help prepare them for school.

Please make sure they have the following items:

  •  A full tummy.
  • A good night’s rest.
  • Sturdy running shoes.
  • A spill proof, small reusable water bottle.
  • A jacket labeled with your child’s name.
  • A kiss and a hug from you!

For preschool families, please send a change of clothes in a Ziploc bag with your child’s name on it in case of an accident during the year.

Kindergarten students will receive a separate supply list.

Does my child need a backpack?

Only our Kindergarten students need to bring a backpack large enough to carry folders and other items back and forth to school. We provide a school bag for all other students to cart their treasures and communication home.

Do children have recess?

Yes, children have recess every day they are at school. Recess typically lasts 20 minutes and takes place either on our outdoor playground or in the indoor gym.

Do you provide a snack for my child?

Yes, we provide a simple snack along with water each school day.

What if my child has food allergies?

We take food allergies very seriously and are committed to ensuring the safety of all children. Please make sure to list your child’s allergies through our ChildPilot App on your child’s profile. We ask that parents complete a form (usually during the Meet the Teacher) detailing any allergies, dietary restrictions, and/or medications.

We provide nut-free snacks and may occasionally offer special snacks related to our curriculum. If snacks will differ from the usual options, we will notify parents in advance and provide an opportunity to address any concerns. The safety and well-being of every child is our top priority!

What kind of communication can I expect from our child’s teachers and the school?

Teachers will communicate with parents through the ChildPilot App. You can expect to receive a weekly message along with photos of classroom activities.  If you would like to schedule a phone conversation or meet in person, simply message your child’s teacher using the ChildPilot App, and they will arrange it.

 

You can also expect a monthly newsletter from Kids at the Creek, which will be sent through the ChildPilot App. This newsletter will include information about school-wide activities, curriculum highlights for each program, and other important information.

 

Our Directors are always available to talk if you have any questions or concerns.

Do children receive progress reports?

Yes, progress reports will be distributed at the end of January and again at the end of May.

Kindergarten students will receive quarterly progress reports.

Tiny 2’s/Little 3’s has ongoing communication with parents through messaging in our ChildPilot app.

What if my child has separation anxiety? How do you handle this?

We understand children may be anxious or upset about separating from their parents, especially at the beginning of the school year. This is a typical behavior, and we are well prepared to help transition kids into a school setting. We provide extra staff at the beginning of the year to help those who need additional attention. We schedule a Meet the Teacher session, usually the first day of school, where families can visit the classroom, meet the teacher, and become familiar with the environment.

What is your sick policy?

To ensure the health and safety of all students, we ask parents to keep their children at home until they are symptom-free for at least 24 hours before returning to school. Please inform your child’s teacher if they will be absent.

Do you teach about the Christian faith?

We are a Christian organization. While our curriculum is not faith-based, we do mention Jesus during Christmas and Easter. Additionally, we pray before snack time each day.