Frequently Asked Questions

Enrollment & General Information

What ages do you accept?

Leap Ahead Preschool welcomes children 6 weeks through 5 years of age.

What are your hours?

Monday–Friday
7:45 AM – 5:15 PM

Can I drop off or pick up at any time?

Yes! We do not have a required drop-off time. Families may drop off and pick up anytime during our operating hours that works best for their schedule.

How long has Leap Ahead Preschool been in business?

Leap Ahead Preschool has proudly served Treasure Valley families since 2014.

Do you offer part-time schedules?

Yes! We offer full-day enrollment for:

  • 2 days per week

  • 3 days per week

  • 4 days per week

  • 5 days per week

Part-time schedules are based on availability.

Please note that part-time students may not swap scheduled days during holiday weeks.

How many classrooms do you have?

We have three classrooms:

  • Infant Room

  • Toddler Room

  • Preschool Room

Each classroom is designed specifically for the developmental needs of that age group.

Ratios & Staff

What are your teacher-to-child ratios?

  • Infants & 1-year-olds: 1:5

  • 2-year-olds: 1:6

  • 3 & 4-year-olds: 1:10

  • 5-year-olds: 1:12

Maintaining low ratios allows our teachers to build meaningful relationships with every child.

Tell me about your teachers.

Our teachers are experienced professionals who truly love working with children.

Many have years of experience in early childhood education, and several hold Early Childhood Education degrees.

Every teacher must:

  • Pass a comprehensive background check

  • Maintain CPR and First Aid certification

  • Complete a minimum of 15 hours of IdahoSTARS training each year as required by the State of Idaho

We also believe that happy teachers create happy classrooms. Our staff receive competitive wages, paid holidays, paid time off, and are deeply appreciated for the work they do.

Curriculum & Learning

What curriculum do you use?

We use the nationally recognized Experience Early Learning curriculum, along with Zoo-Phonics and Handwriting Without Tears.

Our curriculum is hands-on, play-based, and designed to prepare children for kindergarten while making learning exciting and meaningful.

(Learn more about Experience Early Learning here: https://experienceearlylearning.com)

What skills will my child learn?

Children participate in activities that support:

  • Kindergarten readiness

  • Early literacy and language

  • Math and STEM

  • Science exploration

  • Social-emotional development

  • Fine motor skills

  • Gross motor skills

  • Art and creativity

  • Music and movement

  • Sensory exploration

  • Problem solving

  • Independence and self-help skills

We believe children learn best when they are actively engaged, having fun, exploring, creating, asking questions, and making choices.

What makes Leap Ahead Preschool different?

We are much more than child care.

While we provide loving care for every child, our primary focus is education and whole-child development.

Families choose Leap Ahead because of our:

  • Outdoor-focused philosophy

  • Natural playground

  • Gardening and nature experiences

  • Chickens and outdoor exploration

  • Small class sizes

  • Individualized attention

  • High-quality curriculum

  • Warm, loving teachers

We believe children deserve to be messy, creative, curious, and excited to come to school every day.

Outdoor Play

Do children play outside?

Absolutely!

Outdoor learning is an important part of every day at Leap Ahead. Children enjoy our natural playground, gardening, water play, caring for our chickens, mud kitchen, and nature exploration.

What outdoor gear does my child need?

Because we play outside year-round, children need weather-appropriate clothing.

Depending on the season, this may include:

  • Rain boots

  • Snow boots

  • Snow suit

  • Hat

  • Mittens

  • Warm coat

Please label all items with your child's name.

Parents are responsible for taking gear home to wash as needed.

Will my child come home clean every day?

Probably not—and we're proud of that!

At Leap Ahead, we encourage children to fully explore their world through mud, water, paint, sand, Play-Doh, sensory bins, gardening, and messy art.

We do our best to keep children reasonably clean, but we believe childhood is meant to be hands-on. If you're looking for a program where children stay spotless all day, we may not be the best fit—and that's okay!

Meals & Daily Supplies

Do you provide meals?

Families provide their child's snacks and lunch each day.

Please send:

  • Morning snack

  • Afternoon snack (most children eat two items per snack)

  • Lunch

We are happy to heat lunches in the microwave.

Toddler lunches may be stored in our refrigerator. Preschool families should pack an ice pack since our refrigerator is not large enough for every lunchbox. If you forget one, just let us know and we'll refrigerate it for the day.

What should my child bring every day?

Children should bring:

  • Water bottle (left at school)

  • AM snack

  • PM snack

  • Lunch

  • Extra clothes and socks

  • Diapers or pull-ups (if needed)

  • Wipes

  • Diaper cream (if needed)

Infants should also bring:

  • Formula and/or breast milk

  • Bottles

  • Baby food (if applicable)

  • Sleep sack for naps

For safe sleep, infants under one year may not have blankets in their cribs.

What do children need for nap time?

Napping children should bring:

  • Crib sheet

  • Blanket

  • Comfort item if desired

All bedding is sent home every Friday to be washed and returned Monday.

Do preschoolers have to nap?

No.

Children ages 3–5 are not required to nap as long as they can remain happy and successful throughout the day.

During nap time, children who nap rest in our toddler room while the preschool classroom becomes a quiet room with lights dimmed. Children enjoy quiet activities for about an hour before heading outside (weather permitting).

Do you provide sunscreen?

Yes.

Leap Ahead provides Banana Boat sunscreen and reapplies it approximately every two hours whenever the UV index is above 3.5.

Families are welcome to provide a different sunscreen if preferred.

Communication & Security

How do you communicate with parents?

We use the Brightwheel app.

Parents receive:

  • Daily photos

  • Daily videos

  • Messages from teachers

  • Incident reports

  • Daily updates

  • School news and announcements

Families can also message teachers directly through the app.

Is the building secure?

Yes.

Our exterior doors remain locked throughout the day, and enrolled families receive secure key fobs for entry.

Only authorized adults may pick up children.

Do parents have access to classroom cameras?

No.

For the privacy of all children and staff, parents do not have live camera access.

Leap Ahead has security cameras throughout every classroom and outdoor play area. These cameras help ensure quality care and allow us to review incidents or answer questions if concerns arise.

If a parent has a concern, they may schedule a meeting with owner Shanda Kramer to review relevant camera footage together.

Tuition & Payments

How do tuition payments work?

Tuition is prepaid.

Invoices are sent through Brightwheel on Thursday of the week before care and payment is due Monday of the week care is provided.

Payment options include:

  • Bank account through Brightwheel (no processing fee)

  • Debit or credit card through Brightwheel (processing fee applies)

  • Cash

  • Check

Do you give discounts for vacations, illnesses, or absences?

No.

Your weekly tuition reserves your child's space in the classroom and allows us to maintain consistent staffing and teacher pay.

Tuition is due each week regardless of attendance.

Do you charge tuition during holidays when you're closed?

Yes.

Teachers receive paid holidays, so tuition remains the same during holiday weeks.

Leap Ahead is closed for:

  • Memorial Day

  • Fourth of July (2 days)

  • Labor Day

  • Thanksgiving (2 days)

  • Christmas (3 days)

  • New Year's

If a holiday falls on a weekend, Leap Ahead will still observe the same number of holiday days. For example, if July 4 falls on a Saturday, we may close Thursday and Friday instead.

What if I need to withdraw my child?

We require 15 days' written notice before withdrawing from the program.

School Life

Do you celebrate birthdays?

Yes!

Families are welcome to bring birthday treats to celebrate with the class.

For health and safety, all treats must be store purchased. Homemade treats cannot be served.

Do you celebrate holidays?

Absolutely!

Holiday celebrations are a favorite at Leap Ahead. Throughout the year we enjoy themed activities, crafts, parties, games, and special events for holidays such as:

  • Halloween

  • Thanksgiving

  • Christmas

  • Valentine's Day

  • Easter/Spring

  • St. Patrick's Day

  • And many more!

Is there a school supply list?

Yes.

Children ages 2½ and older receive a school supply list each August.

Typical supplies include:

  • Crayons

  • Markers

  • Dry erase markers

  • Glue

  • Watercolor paints

  • Printer paper

  • Other classroom basics

We also ask that every child keep a labeled water bottle at school. We wash, sanitize, and refill bottles daily.