- Should my child be potty trained prior to attending?
- In the 2’s and 3’s class, potty training is happening and supported. Most pre-K children are potty trained, but it is not a requirement to attend KEP.
- What supplies does my child need to bring to school?
- A supply list will be presented at the beginning of August for parents.
- What security measures does your school use?
- Our preschool is a lock down facility. Only personnel have keys into the children’s wing and gym which is utilized for preschool. The church building is locked as well. We get to know our parents/grandparents/friends for drop off and pick up. At the beginning of the year, you will be asked to give names and phone numbers of those who may be picking up your child. If someone different is picking up your child, we will ask for a driver’s license and a note from the parent before the child is released to them.
- Does your education include Bible teachings?
- Yes, we are ministry of the Grace Church at Willow Valley. One of our core values is to teach the Word of God. Your child will be exposed to Bible stories each day, along with prayer and songs about God and His Word.
- Are there payment plans available?
- We have two different payment plans – one is to pay in full by July 1st. We also offer a 9-month payment plan which is from August to April. We use a portal for payment with a credit card or withdraw from a checking account. You can always pay off the monthly payment plan at any time without penalty.
- What is your student to teacher ratio?
- We have a teacher and assistant in each classroom. In the two’s class the teacher/student ratio is 1 to 5. In our 3’s classroom, the teacher/student ratio is 1 to 8 and in our Pre-K room, the teacher/student ratio is 1 to 8.
- Do you enroll year-round?
- Enrollment is open year-round, although we do only hold classes from Sept. to May, therefore for 3’s and pre-k children, we like to have them enroll before Jan. 31 in order to finish out the year with at least half a year teaching. Children need to be their age by Sept. 1 (the school district’s cut off for Kindergarten) in order to go into that classroom.
- What is the experience level of your teachers/staff?
- Teachers have degrees and experience in Early Education or Elementary Education. Assistants are trained in early education. All staff receive 12 professional training hours and 5 Bible study hours each year. All staff is trained in CPR/First Aid.
- How does your staff handle discipline?
- Child guidance has an important place in the program at Kids Express Preschool. When parents and teachers work together to bring consistency in training children to make appropriate choices there is success. Each classroom has developed a discipline procedure that is appropriate in shaping and encouraging responsible behavior in children. You will receive a behavior plan from your teacher at Parent/Child Orientation in August. If you have any questions about our discipline procedures, please speak with your child’s teacher or the director.
- What are your programs like?
- Each class begins the day with circle time where they discuss a Bible story and have prayer. Then the class will discuss the weather, calendar, counting, special words of the day, color of the week, and letter of the week. The classes then move into small group center time where there are 3-4 centers and children rotate around them while working with the assistant or teacher. The centers focus on math, literacy, science, and social and fine motor skills. For Gross Motor development, the children go to the playground or gym. Art, music, snack, and bathroom time are also part of the morning. The end of the day brings a story and review before leaving the classroom. Biweekly the children go to the library to check out books and listen to a story. The also attend a chapel time where songs about Jesus and stories from the Bible are shared. Learning about other cultures through missions is introduced as a way to serve others. Each year, the children raise money or purchase items for a mission project. Thanksgiving Feast and special events are held throughout the year. The staff love working with your children and encourage them to grow in self-dependency while learning through play.
- How is the communication between staff members and parents?
- The families are welcomed into KEP and kept informed through weekly and monthly newsletters from the classroom teachers. Once a week the director also sends an email to parents informing them of the weekly happenings. Upon drop off and pick up, parents are welcome to speak with the teacher or director.