Frequently Asked Questions
If you don't see your question in this list, please contact us.
Operations
Our centers are open weekdays, Monday through Friday. The hours are set for the convenience of working parents.
- You are welcome to drop off/pick up your kids at the times that work with your schedule. *Some centers may start/close earlier depending on community needs. Please ask your center director for center hours.
- The actual class day will run from 9:00 am to 4:15 pm. You can participate in the hours that best meet your personal needs.
- The center is closed on New Year's Eve, New Year’s Day, Presidents’ Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Thanksgiving Friday, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day. Please check our holiday calendar.
- The center follows the same inclement weather procedures as the school district. If the school district’s schools are closed, the center will be closed.
Each student will have their own mat provided for nap time.
The Preschool has its own playground. It is enclosed by a fence. Toddlers have a separate, secure playground area.
The children have their lunches in their classrooms/or cafeteria around noon followed by rest time. Please look at the sample schedules for each program.
Enrollment
Infants: Children must be six weeks old to be enrolled in the Infant program.
Toddler: Children must be 12 months old to be enrolled in the Toddler program.
Preschool: Children must be 3 years old and potty trained to be enrolled in the Preschool program.
Pre-Kindergarten: Children must be 4 years old
Kindergarten: Children must be 5 years old
If you are unsure about which program your child is eligible for, please contact our admissions team.
We do not offer half day programs, but you can drop your children off and pick them up at the times that best suit your schedule.
Key Explorers Preschool does not require your child to be potty trained before entering the Toddler program but must be potty trained to enter the Preschool program. When the teachers or parents see signs of readiness or interest using the potty, we will work to reinforce and encourage toilet training here at school. Parents and teachers are working together with the child to make that transition.
Safety & Child
At Key Explorers, we use the word guidance when referring to discipline. Our teachers are trained to handle conflicts according to every child’s age and individual stage of development. Our goal is to understand the need behind the behavior and respond accordingly. We also want to build empathy by enhancing the children’s understanding of how their actions affect others. When conflict arises, with the teacher’s support, the children are encouraged to identify emotions, verbalize the problem, and resolve their feelings. Through redirection, our teachers guide the child to refocus attention to a different and more positive experience. Conflict resolution is an opportunity to work on essential social skills, which a person will need forever.
Every day we make it our priority to create a safe environment for your child. Key Explorers Preschool and ECC is proud to say that our entire staff has a Pediatric CPR and First Aid certification. We practice a school wide fire and tornado evacuation drill. Our school is stocked with food, water, and other emergency supplies.
- Before entering the preschool, all parents/guardians must check in electronically
- Video cameras are provided in each classroom for additional security.
- Entry to the facility is secured with electronic keypad and camera.
- At the end of each school day, children are only released to their parent or other pre-authorized person
Staff
- Our teachers are dedicated educators that meet or exceed all state preschool credentials in the classroom.
- They have completed early childhood education credentialing and training requirements and go through the state background check process.
- We also have certified aides in the classrooms to help.
Our center is licensed and permitted through Health and Human Services Department, Child Care Division, the city fire district, and the county health department.
The curriculum aligns with each State's Early Learning and Development Guidelines, Quality Standards for Early Childhood Care & Education Services, and the Academic Standards for Preschool.
Please ask your center director for student ratios. All student ratios are posted outside of the classroom door.
Family Engagement
We foster family engagement at Key Explorers! Our goal at Key Explorers is to be a partner in your child’s education. It is a collaborative process. We appreciate and strongly encourage your engagement at events during the school year. You can also get involved by driving on field-trips, going to class potlucks, sharing a story or circle time for your child’s birthday, or staying informed with the current events at the school. Your help is always welcome and needed!
Tuition & Fees
The fees cover our complete academic program.
We work with your local county for CCAP funding. This reduces or eliminates the cost of the program based on the income status of the parents. We provide assistance for parents who may qualify for the Colorado Child Care Assistance program, which may reduce or eliminate a family’s fee level.
We offer scholarships for limited number of families who may not qualify for CCAP but whose household income may limit ability to afford full tuition rates.
All families are required to pay a 10% deposit to reserve a place in our program for a child within 30 days of being accepted into the program; this deposit is applied to the annual tuition for your child. Payments are then calculated based on the remaining tuition amount and are broken down into 10 different payments.
Nutrition
We offer breakfast, lunch, and a snack at certain Centers.
We are very concerned about health and wellness, which is why our meals are nutritious. They follow the MyPlate guidelines, which replace the older food pyramid guidelines. Our meals comply with the state guidelines.
Our meal times are a wonderful time for children to interact with each other and staff. Parents are always welcome to attend lunch to connect during the day with their child.
Greeley Center - Yes, we provide breakfast, lunch and snacks.
Ft. Collins Center - Yes, we provide snacks. Students bring their own lunches.
Cheyenne Dell Range Center - Yes, we provide snacks. Students bring their own lunches.
Cheyenne E Carlson Center - Yes, we provide snacks. Students bring their own lunches.