Finding the perfect preschool for your little one is a significant milestone—one that establishes the foundation for their lifelong learning adventure.
At East Valley Christian Preschool, we've designed an enrollment process that helps Evergreen families thoroughly explore our early childhood program while making each step straightforward and supportive. From your first inquiry to your child's first day, our admissions team walks alongside your family, providing the information and guidance you need to make this important decision with confidence.
Our Simple Three-Step Enrollment Process for Evergreen Families
We understand that Evergreen families lead busy lives. Our streamlined approach makes becoming part of the EVCS Preschool community straightforward:
Step 1: Personal Tour with Our Preschool Director
Your journey begins with a personalized campus tour led by our Preschool Director. This individualized approach ensures:
- Your specific questions receive thoughtful answers
- Your child's unique personality and needs are understood
- You experience our vibrant preschool culture firsthand
- You observe our classrooms, playground, and learning centers
- You gain insight into our distinctive approach to early childhood education
During this visit, you'll see children engaged in learning, meet our dedicated teachers, and experience the warm, nurturing atmosphere that distinguishes our program.
Step 2: Simple Application Process
After your tour, if you decide East Valley Christian Preschool might be the right fit for your family, our application process makes the next step easy:
- Complete our user-friendly online application with basic family information
- Submit required documentation (birth certificate, immunization records)
- Review and sign program policies and agreements
- Pay application fee to begin the enrollment process
Our admissions team is available to assist with any questions during the application process. We can provide computer access at the school if needed to complete your application.
Step 3: Family Interview and Preparation
The final step in our enrollment process helps us prepare for your child's successful integration into our program:
- Parents discuss their child's developmental history and unique needs
- Family has opportunity to ask additional questions about our approach
- We determine appropriate class placement based on age and development
- We provide detailed information about preparing for the first day
- We establish communication channels between home and school
This step ensures your child enters our preschool community positioned for success, with teachers prepared to meet their specific needs from day one.
Evergreen Preschool Enrollment Timeline
While we accept applications throughout the year as space allows, we recommend the following timeline for the ideal enrollment experience:
January-February
- Priority re-enrollment for current EVCS Preschool families
- Early application period opens for new Evergreen families
March-April
- Open enrollment for Evergreen community families
- Priority consideration for available spaces
- Preparation materials sent to newly enrolled families
May-August
- Continued enrollment as space allows
- New family orientation events
- Preparation for the upcoming school year
September-December
- Mid-year enrollment for families relocating to Evergreen
- Early tours for families considering the following school year
Earlier application provides the best opportunity for placement in preferred age groups, particularly for our popular Toddler Program (ages 2-3) and Transitional Kindergarten (ages 4-5).
Our Preschool Programs for Evergreen Children
East Valley Christian Preschool offers several distinct programs designed to meet the developmental needs of young children at every stage:
Toddler Program (Ages 2-3)
Our toddler program creates a gentle introduction to group learning experiences:
- Nurturing environment with high teacher-to-child ratios (1:6)
- Focus on social skills and emotional development
- Introduction to classroom routines and expectations
- Sensory exploration and discovery learning
- Language development through stories, songs, and conversation
- Potty training support in partnership with parents
Preschool Program (Ages 3-4)
Our preschool program builds on the toddler foundation with:
- Expanded learning centers for deeper exploration
- Beginning phonics and pre-reading skills
- Early mathematical concepts through hands-on activities
- Science and discovery through guided experiments
- Creative expression through various artistic media
- Growing independence in self-help skills
Transitional Kindergarten Program (Ages 4-5)
Our TK program provides ideal preparation for kindergarten success:
- Stronger focus on pre-academic skills and concepts
- Development of listening and attention skills
- Early writing experiences and letter formation
- Number concepts and early mathematical operations
- Project-based learning that develops critical thinking
- Advanced social skills for successful group learning
Extended Care Options
For working Evergreen families, we offer:
- Full-day program from 6:30 AM to 6:00 PM
- Nutritious snacks provided morning and afternoon
- Balanced schedule of active and restful experiences
- Seamless transitions between core program and extended hours
- Consistent staffing throughout the day
Class Sizes and Transitions for Evergreen Preschoolers
We maintain appropriate class sizes to ensure quality interactions and individual attention:
- Toddler classes: Maximum 12 children with 2 teachers
- Preschool classes: Maximum 16 children with 2 teachers
- Transitional Kindergarten: Maximum 18 children with 2 teachers
As children grow and develop, they transition to new classrooms based on both age and developmental readiness. These transitions typically occur at the beginning of the school year, though mid-year transitions are sometimes arranged based on individual children's needs and space availability.
Faith Integration for Our Youngest Learners
As a Christian preschool serving Evergreen families, we integrate faith naturally throughout the early childhood experience:
- Age-appropriate Bible stories brought to life through play and visual aids
- Simple prayers integrated throughout the day's natural rhythms
- Songs and fingerplays that reinforce biblical concepts
- Character development based on Christian values
- Celebration of Christian holidays in meaningful, child-centered ways
- Teachers who model Christ's love in their interactions with children
Our approach recognizes that young children experience faith differently than older children, focusing on concrete experiences of God's love rather than abstract theological concepts.
Frequently Asked Questions from Evergreen Families
What are your preschool hours?
Our core preschool program operates from 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM, with extended care available from 6:30 AM to 6:00 PM. Families can choose from several schedule options:
- Full-time (5 days per week)
- Part-time (2 or 3 days per week)
- Half-day or full-day options
- Extended care as needed
This flexibility allows Evergreen families to create a schedule that meets both their child's developmental needs and their family's practical requirements.
Does my child need to be potty trained before enrollment?
Potty training requirements vary by program:
- Our Toddler Program (ages 2-3) welcomes children who are still in diapers, and teachers work in partnership with parents on potty training when children show readiness.
- Our Preschool Program (ages 3-4) asks that children be well on their way in the potty training process, though occasional accidents are expected and handled with care.
- Our Transitional Kindergarten Program (ages 4-5) requires children to be fully potty trained.
Our teachers are experienced in supporting this important developmental milestone with patience and positivity.
What curriculum do you use for preschool?
Our preschool program utilizes the time-tested Abeka curriculum, recognized for its systematic approach to building early academic and developmental skills. This comprehensive curriculum:
- Provides a sequential approach to introducing concepts
- Includes rich literature and language experiences
- Develops pre-reading and pre-math skills through hands-on activities
- Integrates Christian character development naturally
- Balances teacher-directed and child-initiated learning
We supplement this core curriculum with additional resources and activities based on children's interests and developmental needs.
How do you handle separation anxiety?
Separation anxiety is completely normal, especially for children new to preschool. Our teachers are experienced in supporting both children and parents through this transition:
- We recommend a gradual introduction to the preschool environment when possible
- We help parents develop a positive, consistent goodbye routine
- We provide extra nurturing during initial separation periods
- We engage children quickly in interesting activities
- We offer updates to parents after drop-off to provide reassurance
- We partner with families to develop individualized transition plans when needed
Most children adjust to our nurturing environment within a few weeks, developing secure relationships with teachers and engaging happily in classroom activities.
What financial assistance options are available for Evergreen families?
We believe quality Christian preschool education should be accessible to Evergreen families across income levels. Financial assistance options include:
- Multi-child family discounts
- Payment plans to manage monthly expenses
- Acceptance of subsidy programs including Go-Kids and Choices for Children
- Partnership with churches and community organizations offering scholarship support
During the enrollment process, our team can provide specific information about financial options that might benefit your family.
What Makes Our Evergreen Preschool Enrollment Process Different
Our admission process is designed to be thorough yet welcoming—focusing on building relationship with your family from the first interaction:
Personalized Approach
Unlike larger Evergreen centers with standardized admission processes, we take time to know your family individually. Our goal is understanding your child's unique personality, interests, and needs to ensure a successful educational experience.
Transparent Communication
We believe in clear, honest conversation throughout the enrollment process. Our team provides straightforward information about our programs, expectations, and whether our preschool appears to be the right fit for your child's specific needs.
Partnership Perspective
We view enrollment as the beginning of an educational partnership between home and school. The admission process helps determine not just if your child qualifies for our program, but whether our approach aligns with your family's values and expectations.
Spiritual Sensitivity
While we maintain our Christian identity and mission, our admission team approaches families with respect for their current faith journey. We welcome Evergreen families from various backgrounds who value our educational approach and are comfortable with our Christian environment.
Preparing Your Child for a Successful Preschool Start
Once enrolled, several preparation strategies can help create a positive transition to preschool:
Before the First Day
- Talk positively about preschool, describing the fun activities and new friends ahead
- Read children's books about starting school to build positive expectations
- Visit our campus during a scheduled orientation event
- Establish consistent bedtime and morning routines
- Practice self-help skills like hand washing and managing backpacks
- Arrange playdates with other enrolled children when possible
The First Week
- Allow extra time for unhurried morning routines
- Create a consistent, brief goodbye ritual
- Provide a small comfort item from home if needed
- Communicate any specific concerns to teachers
- Ask specific questions about your child's day during pick-up
- Celebrate this important milestone in your child's life
Our teachers provide extra support during this transition period, ensuring each child develops a sense of security and belonging in their new preschool environment.
Ready to Begin Your Evergreen Preschool Journey?
We invite your family to take the first step by scheduling a personal tour with our Preschool Director. This no-obligation visit provides the opportunity to experience our early childhood program firsthand and discuss your child's specific needs.
Have specific questions before scheduling? Our admissions team is available to answer your inquiries by phone at (408) 270-2560 or through our online contact form.
We look forward to meeting your family and exploring whether East Valley Christian Preschool might be the perfect early childhood education home for your Evergreen child.
East Valley Christian Preschool: Where little hands learn, little hearts grow, and little faith blossoms in the heart of Evergreen.
