Programs

Preschool

Updated 3/12/25

The Preschool Transition Team presented an update on the progress that has been made so far. (notes from meetings are further below on this page)

Board members asked questions about the process and any possible locations.

After much discussion, the board decided to discontinue the off-campus viability work. The Board decided it would not be feasible for CCDS to open a preschool. The Board asked the transition team to meet one more time to focus on supporting the current preschool staff in the end-of-year wind-down of the CCDS preschool program.

Updated 1/22/2025

The CCDS Board of Directors passed a resolution to wind down our fee-based program on the CCDS campus at the end of the 2024-2025 school year. View the Resolution here, for details of the cessation of preschool operations. 

This change is difficult, as the preschool has made a positive impact on so many lives over the years. We commend the preschool staff for the impactful program they have created for students and families.

We are here to ensure that kids and families have the same great experience CCDS is known for while we wind down operations. We have highly qualified staff who are able to step in as needed in the preschool as well. Ms Amelia from our ASP program who has preschool experience and Ms Stacy from the CCDS Main Office have both been supporting in the preschool at this time.

Transition Team:

Communication and information are crucial at this time and we intend to use this page on the CCDS website to provide regular updates.

The Transition Team is in place to conduct a viability study for off-campus options for the 2025-2026 school year. We will have additional information about that option as soon as possible.

The leads for our Transition Team are Amie Parent and Kelly Clarke. They can be contacted at aparent@chicocountryday.org or kclarke@chicocountryday.org.

Purpose: To conduct a viability study about opening preschool off-site and share information with the Executive Director and CCDS Board of Directors. To support the students, families, and staff of the CCDS preschool through this transition.

Participants: Cross-functional team representing current preschool families, preschool staff, finance department staff, and administrative staff

Goals: Support student placement for 2025-2026, and conduct the viability study.

Updates from the Weekly Meetings

Update from our March 5, 2025 meeting:

Our meeting started with updates on information gathered from Grace Community Church and discussion about a possible site visit with Kerri and Patty next week. Kerri shared what she learned from a licensing phone call.  Patty shared cost considerations from a conversation she had with another preschool owner in the bay area.  Information about the possibility of a space at Redeemer Evangelical Lutheran Church was shared and a team member is looking further into this possibility. Will shared what a 10% and 15% increase in tuition would create in terms of revenue.  Team discussed what to share out at the board meeting next week.  

Update from our February 26, 2025 meeting:

Our meeting started with a presentation from Cate Szczepanski, who works with Parent Infant Programs as a Community Inclusion Coordinator, and is a passionate supporter of early education programs. Cate has been involved with Innovative Preschool, another local preschool program that is closing, and shared information about the current preschool landscape in Butte County. Cate shared that there are several preschool programs in the area that have closed and she sees that Butte County in particular is struggling to keep preschools open. This may be in part due to high costs of rent in the Chico area. Cate shared more ideas for what she sees as a need for early childhood education, including access to 0-3 year old programs, and that Innovative would be open to a partnership with CCDS if there are ways to support each other. Cate shared that she will speak to the LPC (Local Planning Committee) soon and she will continue to keep in touch about her progress. 

Our team also discussed use of space at Grace Community Church for relocating the preschool program. One team member was able to visit the site and shared photos with the group. The team is waiting for additional information in terms of rental fees, and square footage of the available space, to determine if this would be a viable option. 

February 19, 2025 meeting:

Our team members shared out on tasks they worked on since the last meeting. 

  1. Discussion of lease options from a local preschool that is closing
  2. Discussion of renting space from a local church. There are a few options that we will continue to look into as they are open to follow up. 
  3. Still waiting to hear back and some contacts that were made - team will report back next week if they have more information. 

Our team members will continue information gathering between now and the next meeting.

February 12. 2025 meeting:

Our team discussed potential steps to open a preschool in a new location. 

  1. Possibility of renting space from another local preschool program. 
  2. Possibility of finding a turn-key preschool space that is available for rent
  3. Possibility of finding a facility that is available for rent during the week (due to only being used on weekends or evenings)
  4. Reviewed licensing requirements, permitting, timing, and logistics for opening off-site. 

Our team started to review rates/program structures (timing/months per year) from other preschools in the area. 

Next steps:

  1. Various team members are reaching out to local connections to gather more information in regards to possible sites available or opportunities for locations

February 5, 2025 meeting:

  1. Defined our purpose

     2. Discussed goals

Team discussed next steps and what information we need to gather:

  1. We need to look for facilities and document the specific requirements necessary.
  2. We need to look at revenue and costs to see what tuition needs would look like.
  3. We need to gather information about what tuition looks like at other comparable programs. 

How you can help: Do you know of a space that is already set to run as a preschool or daycare setting? Do you know a commercial realtor?

January 30, 2025: Emails sent to preschool staff and then later to current CCDS preschool families seeking participation on the Transition Team.

Classes for Fall 2024-2025

Funny Frogs M/W/F 8:30-
11:30 a.m.		 $350/month
Brave Bears T/TH 8:30-
11:30 a.m.		 $265/month
Mighty Monkeys M/W 12:30-
3:00 p.m.		 $260/month
Lucky Ladybugs T/TH 12:30-
3:00 p.m.		 $260/month

Preschool Contact Info:
Phone: (530) 895-2650 ext 871
Cell: (530) 608-4806

OUR PRE-K CLASSES

Our Pre-K classes offer:

  • Low teacher ratio which allows for more attention on each child, especially when extra help is needed.
  • Instruction based on the Learning Without Tears program, which most Chico Unified and CCDS classrooms follow well into third grade. It is an early path that provides hands-on instruction for writing strategies and letter recognition to develop at an age appropriate level.
  • Two small groups/stations a day where we concentrate on enhancing kindergarten skills such as letter/number recognition, printing, cutting, following directions - all while increasing their attention span.
  • Pre-K classes develop literacy, language, math skills, and social skills while also giving more time for emotional growth before the transition into a full day class.
  • Pre-K provides the opportunity to still learn through play. Research shows that playful experiences prepare children for “deeper learning.”
  • Pre-K gives the children time to progress in their important physical development- enhance fine motor strength and skills, large gross motor skills and coordination before entering a full day classroom setting with independent stations.

OUR PRESCHOOL CLASSES

Our Preschool classes offer:

  • Introduction to a classroom setting with rules and expectations.
  • Experiencing time away from grown ups- to help learn school is a safe and fun space.
  • Introduction to peers and friendships.
  • Learning through play, music and art.
  • Learning to listen and follow directions.
  • Helps transition into our Pre-K classes the following year more successfully because there is a better understanding of what is expected in a classroom setting.

Program Goals

The goals of the CCDS preschool are to create a preschool that:

  • Offers small, individualized class size with a low teacher-to-student ratio
  • Provides a safe, joyful environment that celebrates learning through multi-sensory hands-on activities
  • Encourages children to discover their environment, learn new skills and concepts, engage in activities and gain independence
  • Stimulates creative expression through art, drama, music, dance and movement
  • Welcomes parent participation to create a partnership in learning
  • Supports children in becoming lifelong learners with a positive self-image

Daily Activities

The following is an example of activities throughout the day, although the class structure does vary based on the children's needs and the time of year, among other reasons. The morning and afternoon classes follow the same basic structure. To learn more about our Preschool program, please call us at 895-2650 or email the preschool here.

Soft Opening & Free Choice Time 8:20 to 9:00 a.m.
Circle Time   9:15 to 9:30 a.m.
Small Group/Centers   9:30 to 9:45 a.m.
Snack 9:45 to 10:00 a.m.
Outside Play/Exploration   10:00 to 10:30 a.m.
Music & Movement   10:30 to 10:45 a.m.
Small Groups/Centers   10:45 to 11:00 a.m.
Exploration/"Choice" time   11:00 to 11:15 a.m.
Clean up/Closing Circle   11:15 to 11:25 a.m.
Goodbyes   11:25 to 11:30 a.m.