What do families like most about Kirkland Children's School facility?
Our large campus is tailored for children and their families. Classrooms and playground areas are thoughtfully designed for kids of all ages. We provide big play toys for climbing and sliding and covered sandboxes that give children many choices for where to play and explore.
Our classrooms have a very open feel with appropriately sized furniture for each age group. Our sinks and bathrooms are built just for kids to make your child feel comfortable and capable in their school surroundings. Many parents comment on how clean and well-organized our classrooms are.
Parents also like our location with easy access to I-405 and Hwy 520; they can easily travel between school, work and home.
At what age can children enroll at Kirkland Children's School?
Children one year and older can attend full or part-time through kindergarten. Students enrolled in our kindergarten can continue in our before/after school program through age 10.
Are meals included in the tuition?
Yes. We serve nutritious food that children love. As a convenience for parents, we serve a cold cereal breakfast before 8:00 am and lunch, plus three snacks for full-day students. Part-time students receive lunch plus one snack.
What are your student/teacher ratios?
Our teacher-to-child ratio for one-year olds is 1 to 6; for toddlers the ratio is 1 to 7; for preschool children the ratio is 1 to 10; for kindergarten the ratio is 1 to 15; for before/after school the ratio is 1 to 15. We provide excellent care by having superior teachers, high-quality supplies, a first-rate facility, and professional support and supervision.
What about staff turnover?
Our school’s most important assets are the teachers who work with your children. We work very hard to keep them happy. Our wages, benefits and work environment are at the top of the childcare industry. We treat our teachers as professionals and our turnover is low. We have teachers and administrators who have worked with us for decades.
What do parents with children in public elementary schools say they like best about your before & after school program attend?
Parents also like the convenience of provided transportation to and from local public elementary schools. They like that Kirkland Children’s School is open even on days the public schools are closed and, ultimately, they like how our outstanding program prepares their children to excel in future educational settings.
Which elementary schools do the children in your before/after school program attend?
Lakeview Elementary and Peter Kirk Elementary.
Do I need an appointment to visit my child at the school?
Our school observes an open door policy. We ask that you schedule an appointment with our directors to tour our school.
Do you close for vacations or school training days?
We close on New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Day, President's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, the Friday after Thanksgiving, and Christmas. We also have 1-2 teacher training days per year, and typically give at least a months notice for these dates.
What’s your discipline policy?
Our positive guidance approach enhances each child’s emotional development while helping children gain the skills to solve conflicts in a positive manner. Teachers recognize and encourage pro-social behaviors among children, such as cooperation, using words to solve problems, and demonstrating empathy for others. We believe in intrinsic motivation, which refers to behavior that is driven by internal rewards. In other words, the motivation to engage in a behavior arises from within the individual because it is naturally satisfying to you. This contrasts with extrinsic motivation, which involves engaging in a behavior in order to earn external rewards or avoid punishment. We try to anticipate and eliminate potential problems by providing clear, consistent guidelines. The day's schedule is well-planned and organized, creating less opportunity for conflicts. We use our best professional judgment when conflicts do arise by either intervening or redirecting the child to a new activity to change the focus of the child’s behavior, or by providing individualized attention to help the child deal with the particular behavior. We empower the children to make good choices. Natural or logical consequences of the child’s behavior are utilized as another means of promoting positive behavior.
What about snow day schedules?
We work hard to stay open, but also keep everyone safe. However, if we should have to close, we notify King 5 News as soon as possible and will text and email all parents individually. In the case of an emergency during the school day (i.e. power outages, etc…) we will text parents directly. Please keep all contact information current and up to date.