We are a preschool, specializing in setting a strong foundation for learning. Most of our classes are 2.5 hours in length; our Kindergarten is 3 hours in length We do not provide childcare beyond our class times.

Yes, we require children to be independent in the bathroom for all of our programs.   This requirement helps ensure that both teachers can be attentive to children in the classroom.

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 with the transition for kids to enter into a school setting. We provide extra staff at the beginning of the year to help those who need extra attention. We schedule a Meet the Teacher session usually a day prior to the first day of school where families can visit the classroom, meet the teacher, and become familiar with the environment. We recommend parents convey confidence to their children in their ability to be able to manage themselves well in this new experience. Additionally, keeping “goodbyes” brief is incredibly helpful. If a child cries, we find that they typically turn things around within just a few minutes of entering the classroom. If a child is inconsolable for 20 minutes, we will contact parents. Consistency and positive attitudes usually are the key and students are able to separate from parents easily within a week or two.

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

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.

We are sensitive and vigilant about food allergies. Please make sure you list your child’s allergies on the registration form and let your child’s teacher know as well. We request that parents fill out a form (typically during the Meet the Teacher night) detailing any allergies or food restrictions. We offer snacks that are nut-free and occasionally have curriculum-related ‘special’ snacks. Parents are informed ahead of time if snacks will be different from the norm and offered an opportunity to let the staff know if there is a concern. We want every child to be safe!

First, please keep your child home until he/she is symptom free for at least 24 hours before returning to school. It’s helpful to let your child’s teacher know if your child will be gone by emailing her or calling our school office (425.931.8092).Secondly, if your child will be gone for an extended period, be sure to inform the teacher and the office of your family’s plans. Tuition is not disounted for absences related to illness or trips.

Our Preschool and Pre-K programs utilize our teacher created curriculum that is developmentally appropriate and based on monthly themes. All curricular areas are integrated into this theme so learning is meaningful for children. We are play-based so all of our centers, art, literacy and math-readiness offer learning opportunities through play. For instance, a sensory bin may be filled with rice and letter tiles. Children can then use forceps to hunt for letters in his/her own name. Art experiences are offered daily and is process-oriented. It’s all about the process your child goes through and the decisions he/she makes to create a masterpiece every single time! Our Pre-K program curriculum is designed to progress with your child’s growth and abilities whether they complete one or two years.   Our curriculum is non-religious based except for during Christmas and Easter. We do pray before snack each day.

Sign up for an in-person tour today on our home page!  Bring your child so we can meet them!  We ask that you view the virtual tour and read through all of the FAQs prior to the walk through.

Registration for the school year will open in Feb. for current/alumni families and then public.
Check the campus page on the website for more details on dates and times.
Registration is all 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

Yes, kids have recess each day they are at school. Recess is typically 15-20 minutes and is held either on our outdoor playground or in an indoor multipurpose room/gym. Running around and using those large muscles helps kids be even more ready for classroom learning.

Drop off can begin 10 minutes prior to your child’s class start time. You are welcome to walk your child into the church foyer and bring your child to the table at the preschool entry table. Be sure to hold up your child’s valet sign so we can make sure we get your child to the correct classroom. You can walk in at the end of the session to pick up your child in person. Again, hold up your child’s valet sign and one of our staff will get your child to you. If you do not have your valet sign, please talk with one of our staff. Be sure to have your ID with you as we will confirm that you are authorized to pick up the child.

KATC is pleased to offer complimentary valet service for drop off and pick up as well. Pull your car up in our valet lane in the back of the building, hang your child’s valet sign from your rear view mirror and one of our friendly staff will get your child out of the car and walk him/her inside the building and make sure everyone gets to the correct classroom. It’s helpful to have your child behind the front passenger seat if possible so we can easily get your child in/out of the car from the curb. Valet service begins 10 minutes prior to your child’s class start time. Pick up works the same way. Simply pull up in the valet lane, display the valet sign and we’ll bring your child to your car at the end of your child’s class session. It is the parents’ responsibility to buckle children in their car seats. Rain or shine…we offer valet!

PRESCHOOL SAMPLE SCHEDULE

9:00     Walk to class, hang up coats & school bags, welcome song
Opening Circle Time:  Pledge of Allegiance, flag song, calendar/number of day, Helpers, sharing news, theme story

9:30     Centers Time:  art table, play dough, sensory exploration, manipulative play, theme exploration, building, science, sorting activities…

10:15   Clean up/Snack prep
2^nd Circle:  Show ‘n Tell

10:20   Recess

10:40   Snack time.  Books & puzzles when finished

10:55   Modified Centers play

11:15   Clean up
Closing Circle:  movement songs

11:30   Walk to lobby for dismissal

PRE-K SAMPLE SCHEDULE

9:00     Walk to class, hang up coats & school bags, sign in
Table Time:  number/letter play, puzzles, tinker table, listening center, story writing

9:40     Opening Circle Time:  Pledge of Allegiance, flag song, number of day, name letters, job chart, group discussion, theme story

10:00   Centers Time:  art table, fine motor skills, sensory exploration, manipulative play, theme exploration, science, number and letter exploration, creation station…

10:45   Clean up/Snack prep
2^nd Circle:  Show ‘n Tell, music & movement

11:00   Snack time.  Book time as finished:  “read” and share favorite picture

11:15   Recess

11:30   Walk to lobby for dismissal

Preschool and Pre-K classes may go up to 16 in a class with 2 teachers.

Kindergarten may go up to 18 in a class with 2 teachers.

All you really need to send with your child is a full tummy, a good night’s rest, comfortable running shoes, a jacket with your child’s name in it (if weather is cool), and a kiss and a hug from you! Preschool families can send a change of clothes in a ziploc bag with your child’s name on it just in case of an accident sometime during the year. We’ll provide a school bag for your child within the first week or two and we’ll take care of snacks.

Kindergarten students will receive a separate supply list.

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

Kindergarten students will receive their final progress report in June.

Little 3s and Tiny 2s will receive a brief comment card at the end of January and again at the end of May.

Teachers will invite you to your class digitally through an interactive App called “Class Dojo”.   You are welcome to email your child’s teacher too if you have any questions or concerns.  If you would like to set up a phone conversation or meet in person, simply email your child’s teacher and she will set things up.

You can also expect a monthly newsletter from Kids at the Creek sent through our “Class Dojo” App with school wide activities, curriculum blurbs for each program and other important info is included in this resource.

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

If you are unable to register for a class, it is most likely full. 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. Be sure these are choices you can work with if need be. From there, you are welcome to add your child to wait list(s). 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 either call or email you so please make sure your contact info is correct in the Parent Portal. We have no way of predicting for sure whether a spot will open up for your child but we do know from experience that many changes occur and we work the wait lists diligently.
If you are not able to have a second or third choice for a program/time, you are welcome to add your child to a wait list at no charge. If/when a spot opens up, we will contact you and offer the spot. Although you will enter a credit card in the Parent Portal for registration, you will not be charged a registration fee until you actually secure a spot in a class.

First, we understand that everyone has a hard day sometimes. And at the beginning of the year, all of the kids are getting used to routines and expectations and everyone is getting acquainted with each other. Our staff comes prepared with fun learning activities, lots of energy to pour into your little ones and confidence that they will learn the classroom rules, schedule and expectations. Teaching young children how to function in a group of peers, use their words to communicate their needs and feelings and learn how to share and take turns is hard and it takes a lot of practice. Mistakes=Learning Opportunities and that’s how we approach things.
We also use the Nurtured Heart Approach pioneered by Howard Glasser which is based on clear rules and loads of positive affirmation for appropriate behaviors which then create an inner wealth and confidence in children. For more details, follow this link.

About Nurtured Heart Approach®

Additionally, we use the Social Thinking Curriculum (The Incredible Flexible You) to help set a foundation for social/emotional growth. Here we teach about being on the ‘group plan,’ managing our bodies in a group, keeping reactions to problems relative to the size of the problem and more.

Problems happen during the day. And we work through them during the day. That’s what preschool/pre-k is all about. If something comes up that is a safety issue or we need to partner with parents to help a child experience success, we’ll let you know. Otherwise, we’re taking care of business at school.

Our half-day and full-day kindergarten is packed with learning and fun. Our certificated teachers are experienced and are accountable to have their students meet the state standards and be ready for first grade.
Let’s talk about curriculum. We use Wonders (McGraw-Hill) as our base for literacy supplemented by Nellie Edge, Writing Foundations and more. Math for Love and Guided Math are what we use for math. Generation Genius and lots of STEM activities are used for science. Arts, social studies and French are integrated throughout the week in addition to P.E.

We run a rigorous program that is geared to help kids that are ready for kindergarten socially, emotionally and academically be prepared for first grade by June.  Students need to be able to function in group learning environments, work independently, be capable of taking directions from teachers and use appropriate communication skills.  We have a great student/teacher ratio and that helps us get kids ready for the next step. We are not equipped to provide one on one support as the norm.

What about time for play? There’s time built into the kindergarten schedule for recess and social/play time each day (typically 15 minutes for half-day, and longer for the full-day option). We believe kindergarten students still need to work on developing social skills by playing legos with friends, creating art with friends and just playing with toys with peers. The learning that happens here is just as important as gaining academic skills.

KATC prides itself on providing a safe, loving environment for kindergarten students to grow and learn!

We are a Christian organization and our staff are Christians. Our curriculum is not faith-based; however, we do talk about Jesus at Christmas and Easter. We also pray before snack time each day.