Preschool FAQs
Do You Participate in the State's Universal Preschool Program?
What are the ages and times of preschool classes?
2024/2025 Preschool Classes
- 2 Days/Week (Mornings): Tuesday and Thursday, 8:20 - 11:20 a.m.
- 3 Days/Week (Mornings): Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 8:20 -11:20 a.m.
2023/2024 Preschool Classes
- 2 Days/Week (Mornings): Tuesday and Thursday, 8:20 - 11:20 a.m.
- 3 Days/Week (Mornings): Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 8:20 -11:20 a.m.
- 4 Days/Week (Mornings): Monday through Thursday, 8:20 -11:20 a.m.
- 5 Days/Week (Mornings): Monday through Friday, 8:20 -11:20 a.m.
- 4 Days/Week (Afternoons): Monday through Thursday, 12:20 - 3:15 p.m.
- 5 Days/Week (Mornings): Monday through Friday, 8:20 a.m. - 11:20 p.m.
- 5 Days/Week (Full Day): Monday through Friday, 8:20 a.m. - 3:15 p.m.
How many students are in each class?
What is the tuition cost? When are invoices sent and due?
- August invoices are sent in July and are due by Aug. 10, and considered late on Aug. 11.
- A $25.00 late fee will be charged for payments received after the 10th of the month, and the credit card on file will automatically be charged the full balance plus late fee.
- If for any reason payments cannot be processed 10 days beyond the payment due date, the student may not return to preschool until the account is brought current or a payment plan established.
- Preschool students must be picked up on time. A $1 per minute late fee will be charged for each minute after the published closing time.
- Ten business days written notice is required for withdrawal (holidays, weekends, and non-school days do not count toward the 10 business days).
Does Flagstaff Accept Colorado Childcare Assistance Program (CCAP)
Is there a dress code for preschool?
- Yes, however it is different from Flagstaff Academy’s K-8 grades. Some parents with older siblings have chosen to honor the K-8 dress code (no logos except Flagstaff).
- Preschoolers must wear tennis shoes or shoes with rubber soles (no sandals or croc-style shoes),
- Easy clothes for using the bathroom (sweatpants are acceptable, but no belts, no suspenders, no bib-top overalls, no difficult snaps & buttons).
- Girls are to wear shorts under dresses. (no spaghetti straps on dresses)
What does a day in preschool look like?
- Arrival (AM Preschool drop off: 8:20-8:25 a.m. | PM Preschool drop off: 12:10-12:20 p.m.)
- Welcome & circle time
- Socialization & centers; play choices include: art, fine motor/manipulatives, blocks/toy vehicles, imagination station, puzzles, music, dramatic play, writing, math, science, library, and listening center
- Snack time
- Outside play
- Story time
- Small-group activities (2 or 3): these small group activities includes cognitive, motor skills, pre-literacy, science, social studies, and arts or crafts
- Music and/or movement
- Dismissal to parents
Are snacks included?
- No, due to allergies, dietary restrictions, and preferences, students bring their own snacks and a filled water bottle daily. NO NUTS!
- Students should bring a nutritious snack that includes at least two food groups: fruit/vegetable, grain/bread, dairy, and/or meat/meat alternatives.
- All food should be a child-size portion of finger foods, ready to eat (fruit peeled) and prepared in bite-sized pieces in a resealable container (no glass or Ziploc bags - small plastic containers and velcro snack bags work great).
- Please emphasize to your child that we do not share snacks in preschool
- Please do not send juice due to the high sugar content
How often do the children play outside and in what kind of weather conditions?
Are parents allowed to volunteer in the classroom?
What is the best way for parents to communicate with the teachers?
What methods are used to communicate with parents?
- Weekly Preschool Newsletter
- Dragon Weekly: All-school weekly e-newsletter distributed on Fridays
- Flagstaff Academy App (available on Android and iOS)
When are school supply lists distributed?
Do you have a multicultural program?
What if I am late dropping off my child to preschool?
What if my child is absent?
What if my child has special needs or an IEP?
Whom do I contact if I have concerns about my child’s development?
At what age are children eligible to receive services in Special Education?
If a child qualifies for Special Education and a preschool program is recommended, is the child guaranteed a placement in the charter school of choice?
What if my child was enrolled in Flagstaff Preschool and then received and IEP, would my child have to leave Flagstaff during the school year?
This depends upon the special education services that are needed to support the child in reaching their learning goals. No special education supports are offered in the Flagstaff Preschool Program.
Does my child need extra clothes?
What do I need to label?
What daily items should my child bring?
Do I need to apply sunscreen?
Who are Room Parents?
What are Scholastic Book Orders?
Do the children celebrate birthdays?
Healthy celebrations and sampling healthy snacks
Preparing Your Child for Preschool
- Practice separating from your child (friend’s house, swim class, gymnastics, soccer, babysitter, nanny, church, etc.) Reassure your child he/she will be safe and you will return.
- Teach your child to use his/her words (it is important to be able to ask for help, express one’s needs, and verbalize one’s feelings). ELL children are exceptions.
- Teach your child to respond to full name and recognize his/her first name in writing.
- Teach your child to be independent using the bathroom (include wiping, flushing, dressing, and handwashing)
- Work on putting on and taking off jackets, shoes, boots, hats, and mittens (gloves are too difficult for preschoolers)
- Work on zipping/unzipping and packing/unpacking backpacks.
- Send a water bottle that your child can open and close independently.
- Work on staying seated at the table while eating and using good table manners.
- Work on opening and closing snack bags independently (Velcro bags work great)
- Practice reading stories without your child sitting on your lap or lying in bed.
- Establish routines at morning time, mealtime, and bedtime.
- Read every day to your child.
- Listen to nursery rhymes and children’s songs.
- Work on taking turns with others.
- Work on keeping one’s hands and feet to oneself.
- Remind your child that the staff want to help preschoolers be safe, respectful, learn, and have fun.