Searching for childcare is a big decision — and it’s completely normal to have a long list of questions. Families want to feel confident that their child will be safe, loved, and supported every day, while also growing socially, emotionally, and academically in a way that feels developmentally appropriate.
As we prepare to open our early learning center in May 2026 in the Avimor community of Eagle, Idaho, we want families in Avimor, Eagle, Boise, and Garden City to have clear, helpful answers to the questions we hear most often. Below you’ll find our most frequently asked questions — along with thoughtful, transparent explanations to help you choose the best childcare option for your family.
What Ages Do You Serve?
We are designed to support children across multiple early childhood stages, including:
- Infants
- Young toddlers (around age 1)
- Older Toddlers/Twos (age 2)
- Preschool (age 3)
- Pre-K (age 4)
- Accelerated Pre-K (age 5)
- School Age – before/after school (Idaho Novus Academy), school breaks, and Summer Camp
Our program is built to meet children where they are developmentally — from early sensory exploration in infancy to confident kindergarten readiness in our Pre-K years.
What Is Your Teaching Philosophy?
Our approach is play-based, relationship-centered, and intentionally structured to support meaningful learning at every age.
That means:
- Children learn through hands-on exploration, movement, conversation, and play
- Teachers guide learning with purpose, routines, and engaging activities
- We focus on the whole child — social, emotional, physical, and cognitive growth
We believe children thrive when they feel safe, connected, and curious — and when learning feels joyful and developmentally appropriate.
Is Your Program Play-Based or Academic?
This is one of the most common questions families ask, and the answer is: both, in the right way at the right time.
For Infants
Our infant classroom is centered on:
- responsive caregiving
- sensory exploration
- safe routines
- early language development through interaction and play
Infants learn through connection, consistency, and rich experiences — and we design our environment to support that.
For Toddlers (Ages 1–2)
Our toddler classrooms are best described as play-based with intentional, structured activities.
Toddlers benefit from predictable routines and guided learning experiences, while still having plenty of time for:
- movement and gross motor play
- sensory activities
- music and language experiences
- social learning and peer interaction
At these ages, structure doesn’t mean “sitting still” — it means creating a supportive rhythm to the day and offering meaningful activities that match how toddlers naturally learn.
For Preschool and Pre-K (Ages 3–5)
For our preschool, pre-k, and accelerated pre-k programs, we are excited to use Pocket of Preschool, a research-based curriculum created by educator Jackie Kops.
This curriculum includes robust learning units that support:
- early literacy and phonological awareness
- math foundations
- science exploration
- social studies themes
- fine motor development
- classroom routines and confidence-building
We love that these units provide strong academic outcomes while still being hands-on, engaging, and developmentally appropriate for young children.
What Does a Typical Day Look Like?
While each classroom will have a schedule designed for the children’s age and needs, families can generally expect a consistent routine that includes:
- warm arrivals and welcoming transitions
- learning centers and guided play
- structured activities (circle time, small group learning, art, sensory)
- outdoor play and movement
- meals and self-help skill building
- rest or quiet time (age-dependent)
- afternoon learning and connection
Children thrive when they know what to expect — and families appreciate the calm, steady rhythm that routines provide.
How Do You Handle Behavior and Discipline?
We believe young children are always learning — especially when it comes to behavior, emotions, and social skills. Our approach is focused on guidance, teaching, and emotional development, not punishment.
We support children by:
- teaching emotional vocabulary (“You look frustrated.”)
- modeling gentle, respectful communication
- helping children solve peer conflicts with support
- offering choices and redirection
- using consistent classroom routines and expectations
- focusing on safety, empathy, and skill-building
We also know that every child is unique. Our goal is to work closely with families to create consistent support between home and school.
What If My Child Cries at Drop-Off?
This is extremely common — especially during the first few weeks of care — and it doesn’t mean something is wrong.
We support children through transitions by:
- creating predictable arrival routines
- building trust through consistent caregivers
- offering comfort and connection
- engaging children quickly in an activity they enjoy
- communicating with parents so they feel reassured
In most cases, children settle much faster than parents expect. We understand how emotional this milestone can be, and we take it seriously and gently.
How Do You Keep Children Safe?
Safety is one of our highest priorities. Families should feel confident that their child is protected, supervised, and cared for with intention every day.
We are preparing systems and routines that support safety through:
- appropriate teacher-to-child ratios
- active supervision practices
- secure pick-up and drop-off procedures
- classroom safety routines and transitions
- age-appropriate environments and materials
We also believe emotional safety matters just as much as physical safety. Children learn best when they feel respected, understood, and secure.
What Is Your Sick Policy?
Families deserve clear expectations around illness and wellness as children get sick frequently when they are young and building their immune system. Our center provides families with a comprehensive list of exclusionary symptoms that require a child to recover at home until symptoms subside. In general, our program has protocols to ensure:
- healthy group care practices (sanitation, cleanliness, disinfection)
- clear guidance for when children should stay home
- sanitation and hygiene routines
- communication with families when illness is present
Childcare settings naturally involve shared germs — but thoughtful health practices and clear policies make a big difference for everyone.
How Do You Communicate With Parents?
We believe strong communication builds strong trust. Our goal is to partner with families so parents feel informed and supported. Our center utilizes Playground, a highly rated and easy-to-use communication and enrollment management tool.
Families can expect communication such as:
- daily updates (age-appropriate)
- sharing milestones and classroom highlights
- open-door conversations and respectful feedback
- clear communication around concerns or transitions
We want families to feel like they truly know what their child is experiencing each day — and to feel confident bringing questions to us at any time.
What Should We Bring Each Day?
Every program has different needs depending on the child’s age. In general, families can expect to bring items such as:
- extra clothes (labeled)
- diapers/wipes (if applicable)
- comfort item for rest time (if allowed/age appropriate)
- weather-appropriate outdoor clothing
We will provide families with a complete “first day checklist” as we get closer to opening.
How Do I Know If a Program Is the Right Fit?
The best childcare program for your family will feel like a place where your child is:
- safe and well supervised
- emotionally supported
- encouraged to explore and learn
- cared for by consistent, warm educators
- part of a positive classroom community
We also believe the right fit should feel good for parents — with communication, trust, and transparency.
When Should We Start Looking for Childcare?
Many families are surprised to learn how early childcare planning often begins — especially in growing communities.
If you are expecting a baby, relocating, or planning ahead for a future start date, it’s never too early to:
- research programs
- learn about waitlists
- schedule tours when available
- join interest lists
Since we plan to open in May 2026, we encourage families who are exploring childcare in Avimor, Eagle, Boise, or Garden City to connect early so they can stay informed as enrollment details become available.
Choosing childcare is about more than schedules and availability — it’s about finding a place where your child will be nurtured, respected, and supported through every stage of early development. As we prepare to open our early learning center in Avimor (Eagle, Idaho) in May 2026, we’re committed to creating a safe, play-based environment with intentional structure and meaningful learning experiences for children from infancy through Pre-K. For families in Avimor, Eagle, Boise, and Garden City, we hope this FAQ helps you feel informed, empowered, and excited as you search for the right early learning program.
