Classroom Structure/Ratios 

• How many classrooms do you have, what ages are they and what is the max class size for each as well as the teacher/student ratio?

Toddler Class- Ages 2 & 3,  Max 10 students, Ratio 1:5
Preschool Class- Ages 3 & 4, Max 11 students, Ratio 1:5 or 6
Pre-K Class- Ages 4 & 5, Max 12 students, Ratio 1:6
Kindergarten Class- Ages 4, 5 & 6, Max 10 students, Ratio 1:10

• What are the benefits of having low teacher/student ratios?

There are great schools out there with amazing teachers that run at state ratios (1:10 for age 2.5 and up), but they just simply cannot provide the same type of quality that can be found in classrooms with half as many children and twice the teachers.  Our school Directors and many of our teachers have had previous teaching experiences at schools with higher ratios and they consistently agree that because of the lower ratios at our school, they can accomplish so much more with their students.  They have more high quality interactions and amazing small group experiences.  ​

Curriculum and Routines

• What curriculum do you use?

We have created our own curriculums for each class that are best compared to The Creative Curriculum.  We integrate Zoo-Phonics as well.  Every year, the curriculum is differentiated to meet the needs of each individual student.  Please visit the individual class pages for more details.

• Do the children get electronics/screen time?

The only class that uses electronics is our Kindergarten class.  They have two app based programs that they use as part of their curriculum called Razz Kids and Keyboarding Without Tears.  On occasion, the teachers might have a special pajama/movie day that is usually paired with a holiday, but not more than twice per year.

• How much time do the children spend outside each day?

At Creative Sprouts, we greatly value our time outdoors.  We live in the PNW and because of that, we see the rain often.  We don't avoid going out when it rains, we just make sure we're prepared to go out into the rain!  We ask families to dress their children for the weather each day and each class has three recess times per day.  In the warmer weather, we enjoy setting up classrooms outside and spending much longer, extended times outside.

• How do you handle challenging behavior?

We don't like to jump in and solve situations for the children. Instead we teach them specific words to use in not so pleasant scenarios like toy stealing, pushing, etc. We are there to diffuse, and be a tool for them to use in solving their own problems. If someone is hitting, or being physical with another child, we will step in and stop the behavior, remove a child if necessary, then go back when the child is calm and facilitate a conversation between the two children. We have found it is much more effective (in any type of situation) if the children address each other rather than the teacher doing it for them.  We help kiddos with a quieter, softer demeanor, learn to talk loudly. Saying things like, "Don't hit me! That hurt!". This makes a much bigger impact than a teacher saying, "We don't hit." It is our job to keep the kids safe, to teach them how to talk with each other and eventually learn how to work through situations independently. ​

Nutrition

• Do you provide food?

Yes, we provide breakfast, morning snack, lunch, afternoon snack and evening snack.

• What kind of food do you serve?

We serve nutritious homemade meals and snacks.  Our sauces and meals are made from scratch with minimal use of processed ingredients.  We do not use refined sugar, but use honey to sweeten things like greek yogurt.  In the summer months, many of the vegetables we eat for lunch and snacks are from our school garden.  

• Can you accommodate special diets and food allergies?

Yes.  We serve gluten free and dairy free meals and snacks daily.  We can also accommodate other food restrictions or allergies by offering substitutions.

Parent Involvement/Communication

• How do you communicate with the parents?

There are many ways.  We love in person conversations at drop off and pick up, but if more time is needed for a conversation, we are happy to schedule a phone call or a zoom meeting.  We also communicate regularly through our classroom management app in which you can direct message the teachers throughout the school day.  Additionally, we email weekly or monthly newsletters depending on which class you're in.  We want parents to know everything that's going on with their children.  Communication is very important to us.

• Do you offer parent/teacher conferences?

​Yes, twice per year and more if needed or requested.  We find these are such a great way to connect with parents.  We use this time to share our formal observations and assessments.  We also set goals together and discuss ways parents can support the children at home as well as ways we can support the children at school.  

• Are there ways for the parents to be involved?

A couple years ago, a few parents started a Parent Committee for our school.  It's sort of like an unofficial PTA.  The PC helps with fundraising events, Parents' Night Out, class playdates and other fun events.  They meet once per month.  It's a great way for parents to connect with each other while supporting the school!  They came up with some amazing virtual events for our classes this year in lieu of our regular in person events.

Staff

• How long have your teachers been at CS?

Most of our teachers have been with us over three years, but at least half of the staff have been at CS for five or more years.  Our teachers tell us that they stay because of the family-like work environment and the low teacher/student ratios!

• What are your teachers' experience and education?

All of our classroom lead and assistant teachers have very diverse backgrounds of teaching in Early Childhood and Elementary Education.  All of our lead teachers have AA or BA degrees in ECE and some of our assistants, do, too.    

• What are the requirements for employment?

All staff must:
Meet the educational requirements dictated by the DCYF.  
Have current CPR/First Aid/Blood Borne Pathogens training certifications
TB Test
Pass Background Check and Fingerprinting through MERIT
In person interview and school visit
All potential staff members will visit the school and spend time in each classroom.  We like to involve our current staff in the hiring process as well as give prospective employees a chance to observe our classrooms so they can get a feel for what we do before accepting any employment offers.

Operations

• When does the school close due to weather?

In inclement weather situations, we follow the recommendation of the Lake Washington School District.  If they are closed, we will be closed.  If they have a late start and open at 11am, we will open at 11am as well.  In addition, we will do our best to update on the home page of our website and/or our Facebook page if there are any closures. 

• Are half days available?

We do not have a scheduled half day option. You can attend half days if you would like, but the tuition is the same as full day enrollment.   Families wanting a part time schedule can choose to attend less than 5 days per week based on availability.  

• When is the school closed?

Please take a look at our school calendar on our home page for a complete lists of days closed.  The closed dates vary slightly from year to year.

• What hours are you open?

Monday through Friday 6:30am-5:30pm

• What times do your classes start and end?

The only class that has a set start and end time is our Kindergarten class.  For the other three classes, we ask that children arrive by 9am so they are able to participate in all of the planned morning activities with their classmates.  We find that most children are picked up between 4pm-5pm.  Children may attend a maximum of 10 hours per day.   

• ​​Do you have a disaster plan?

​We have an extensive disaster plan that we share with our current families at orientation.  All of our staff are trained in how to keep the children safe in the event of a fire, intruder, earthquake or other natural disaster.  We take our disaster plan very seriously and conduct frequent drills (more than just fire drills which we do monthly).  

• How are you handling the Covid-19 pandemic at CS?

We have put many precautionary measures in place which have helped us remain open throughout the entire pandemic.  We have only had one exposure and it was contained to one person.  We conduct daily drop off screenings including taking temperatures for all staff and students.  We have parking lot drop off and pick up and everyone age 5 and up wear masks.  We have implemented many additional cleaning and sanitizing procedures and help the children with social distancing when it's appropriate to do so.  ​