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?

Preschool 1 Class- Ages 2 & 3,  Max 10 students, Ratio 1:5
Preschool 2 Class- Ages 3 & 4, Max 11 students, Ratio 1:5 or 6
Pre-K Class- Ages 4 & 5, Max 12 students, Ratio 1:6
Transitional/Traditional 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 use the Science Start and  Zoo-Phonics curriculums.  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 for it!  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?

Due to the large amount of dietary restrictions and allergies we have in the school each year, and the risk of cross contamination, we ask that children with food restrictions/allergies provide their own food.  We can help boost snacks and meals with fruits and vegetables from school, but main courses and snacks need to be provided by families daily.

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 send weekly newsletters updating you on what we are doing in class!  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, three times 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 few years ago, some 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 every other month, sometimes in person, sometimes on Zoom.  It's a great way for parents to connect with each other while supporting the school!  

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!  Head over to the staff page of our website to see how long each teacher has been with us!

• 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 7:00am-5:30pm.  

• What times do your classes start and end?

The T-K/K class starts and ends 10 minutes after Juanita Elementary starts and ends.  This could change from year to year.  For this class, before and after school care is available at an additional charge.  For our Preschool age classes, the start time is 9:00am and the end time is 3:30pm.  Before and after school care is included in the monthly tuition for these three classes.  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).  ​