Frequently Asked Questions

What does my child need to bring to school? A backpack. The preschool provides supplies (glue, scissors, etc.) and all snacks.

 

What time can I drop off my child? Between 8:25 and 8:30 for the morning class and between 12:25 and 12:30 for the afternoon class. The doors will be locked until then.

 

Can I pay for multiple months’ tuition at a time? Yes, but keep in mind that the tuition for May is half the typical monthly cost.

 

How many children are in a class? 16 in each 3-4 year old class and 18 in the 4 & 5 year old class.  Our maximum capacity for all 3 classes is 50 total students.

 

Will my child go on field trips? Yes, the 4 & 5 year-olds go on several field trips.  We typically take a Siouxland Regional Transit bus for our field trips.  The bus is equipped with harness seatbelts.

 

May I send treats with my child for his/her birthday? Yes, but they must be prepackaged and will be sent home with the kids for parental approval.  If your child brings a treat, it will not be served at snack time.  No homemade treats are allowed. 

 

My child has a summer birthday.  Will he/she get to celebrate at school? Yes! We will schedule a special “pretend birthday” for your child toward the end of the school year.

 

Should I call the preschool if my child will be absent? We appreciate being informed!  Please call, send an email, or send a Facebook message if your child will be absent.

 

Does my child have to be toilet trained? While not being toilet trained by the age of three is developmentally appropriate, Noah’s Ark Preschool’s facility does not have a diaper-changing station and requires children to be toilet trained to function in our program.  Exceptions may be made in cases where a child has a medical condition or special needs as defined by his/her IEP.

 

When is the first day of school? Our first day of school is typically the Tuesday following Labor Day.  The first day of school for the 2024-2025 school year will be Tuesday September 3.

 

Is there religious instruction within the school day? Yes, Noah’s Ark Preschool is a non-denominational Christian Preschool.  The children and teachers pray together multiple times per class, and the pastor visits 1-2 times per month to share Bible stories and Christian messages.  The 4 & 5 year-olds have a unit on Bible stories on Mondays.  Other religious instruction is embedded within the curriculum.

 

Will my child be accepted into Noah's Ark Preschool if we have a non-traditional family? Yes, Noah’s Ark Preschool admits children of any race, color, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, and family structure to all rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to the children in the preschool.

 

Does Noah's Ark Preschool offer daycare? No, Noah's Ark Preschool does not provide before or after school care.  It is strictly a preschool.

 

Is transportation available? No, Noah's Ark Preschool does not provide transportation for children except for field trips.

 

What is the difference between 3-4 year-old preschool and 4-5 year-old preschool? There are two class options for 3-4 year-olds (either Monday and Wednesday or Tuesday and Thursday) and one class option for 4-5 year-olds (Monday through Thursday), so the 3-4 year-olds have class twice per week, and the 4-5 year-olds have class 4 times per week.  Tuition for each age group varies for this reason.

 

The 3-4 year-olds are typically in their first year of a structured school environment.  They learn mostly through play and through interaction with teachers and peers.  Students in these classes are developing social skills, separating from parents/guardians, and learning how to function in a classroom environment.  The 3-4 year-old classes are structured for children who will attend preschool for one more year prior to entering kindergarten.

 

The 4-5 year-olds are often in their second year of a structured school environment.  While they also learn through play and through interaction with teachers and peers, they have more academic instruction than the 3-4 year-olds.  In the 4-5 year old class, children are exposed to letter recognition, phonics, and early writing skills.  They have more visitors and go on field trips.  Additionally, the 4-5 year-olds participate in more partner/group activities requiring teamwork and problem-solving.  The 4-5 year-old class is structured for children who will attend kindergarten or transitional kindergarten (TK) the following school year.

 

Does Noah's Ark Preschool accept 5 year olds? Yes!  We understand sometimes children need a little more time before heading off to kindergarten!  Our afternoon class is for both 4 and 5 year olds.