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| Kids Express Learning Center | ||
| Kids Express Learning Center offers a high quality early childhood program for infants/toddlers, preschool, and kindergarten children. Full-day classes are offered for infants/toddlers and kindergarteners; full-day and part-day classes are offered for preschoolers. | ||
| Rural Environment | ||
 Located on Prairie View Farm, a eight-acre farmette on Madison's west side, Kids Express Learning Center provides daily opportunities for your child to observe nature and study a variety of gentle, exotic, domesticated animals.
Children are encouraged to explore the school yard with opportunities to study nature, learn organic gardening skills, feed the animals, engage in sand and water activities, and play creatively on a wooded playground. A respect for the environment will grow in each child as the beauty of the natural world is experienced in an organized and enjoyable manner. | ||
| Professional Staff | ||
 All of our early childhood teachers hold degrees and are highly qualified to nurture your child cognitively, emotionally, socially and physically. Our teachers offer developmentally appropriate experiences with quality education in literature, language arts, nature, science, math, social studies, art, woodworking, music and movement, creative dramatics and keyboard. These experiences enrich your child's life and help your child prepare for more formal instruction during the primary years.
Teachers at Kids Express Learning Center are professionally trained to observe your child, listen to specific needs, seek out interests, note learning styles, and document these observations. Our skillful teachers use the information gathered to make decisions about curriculum, materials and developmental activities to completely enrich your child's early years. | ||
| Learning Centers | ||
Our spacious school buildings have been designed to accommodate several state-of-the-art learning centers.  The architecture of some buildings resembles rustic, barns constructed with a focus on craftsmanship. The newest building, The Dahlhouse, was actually the Dahl Family home until 2005. Within each building, classroom decor includes natural wood furniture and cabinetry, soothing colors and large windows to view the picturesque scenery and brighten the rooms with sunlight.
Each classroom is designed for a specific age group and can accommodate for full-day infant/toddler care, full-day or half-day preschool, kindergarten, and summer camp programs. The manicured grounds and unique facility at Kids Express is a direct reflection of the care and attention that goes into each child's education. | ||
| Nature Study | ||
The goal of the nature study program is to provide children with meaningful hands-on activities that allow them to experience and explore the natural world. Lesson plans are sensory in focus, which means cultivating an appreciation for nature through body, mind and heart. The nature experiences instill and foster compassion and care for the world around us in every child.
Themes of study include: seasonal changes, native trees and plants, wild and domesticated animals, insects, rocks/minerals/fossils, organic gardening and recycling. Spanish language lessons and activities complement the nature topics throughout the school year. | ||
| Our Philosophy | ||
| Our philosophy at Kids Express Learning Center is that your child is a capable, curious, self-directed learner who will respond positively to warm, loving guidance. Your child has a natural craving for intellectual stimulation, but also needs encouragement and support to grow emotionally, morally and socially strong. | ||
| Registration/Enrollment | ||
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You may print a ''Summer on the Farm'' and Academic Year Enrollment Form here. You may also request a packet by calling or writing to:
Dr. Sandra S. Dahl | ||
| Hours of Operation | ||
| Hours of operation are 7:30 am to 5:30 pm, Monday through Friday during the school year. Vacations follow the public school calendar. A ten-week "Summer on the Farm" camp is offered each summer for all age groups. Children attend camp 2,3 or 5 full days. Half day programs are not offered during the summertime. | ||
| Fees | ||
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Academic year fees are billed on the first of the month and are due on the 15th of the month. Fees may be paid monthly, by the semester, or yearly. Summer camp fees are billed in two installments. Please contact us for current fee schedules
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| Admission/Employment/Ownership | ||
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Kids Express Learning Center, Inc., does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, sex, socio-economic status, sexual orientation, creed or religion, national origin, ancestry, political persuasion, veterans status or disability in administration of its admission, education, employment and programming policies and practices.
Kids Express Learning Center, Inc., is a state licensed, NAEYC accredited organization privately owned and operated by Dr. Sandra and Dr.Will Dahl. | ||
| Let's Hear from the Parents! | ||
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Actual comments from Kids Express parents
''[Kids Express is] committed to incorporating nature into a learning process which I believe will give the kids a respect for, and connection to, the environment that they can't get without hands-on experience.'' ''The buildings are sunny, warm and inviting. The staff encouraged my kids to play and check things out. I knew this was something I wanted my family to be part of.''
''I feel the level of communication with the parents has exceeded my expectations. I feel my opinions have been respected and my suggestions implemented. I especially approve of how discipline is handled.''
''My greatest compliment to you and your staff is that I can go to work every day knowing that Jonah is safe and happy in a place he loves.'' ''We just wanted to thank you for your attention and help during Zak's adjustment to preschool. I especially want to thank you for helping me through a difficult adjustment of having to let him go.'' ''This program is like no other I or anyone I have talked to have ever experienced. Dr. Sandra Dahl has created and fostered an atmosphere and environment of loving, learning, expression and development.'' From a Student! ''I like the smell of Miss Sandy's flowers. I like to ring Miss Sandy's bell. I liked walking Aspen at Miss Sandy's house. Her tennis court was good. I liked preschool, but it's time to grow up.'' | ||
Llamas, sheep, goats and exotic fowl reside in the meadows and paddock surrounding our school. Our classrooms' large windows offer your child a chance to enjoy animal antics and activities throughout the day.
New enrollments are offered on a first-come,
first-served basis. A non-refundable registration fee is
charged per child. This fee is also charged when your
child's name is placed on our waiting list. The Parent
Packet and enrollment forms for your child's file will be
sent out once the enrollment agreement has been
received. Enrollment occurs in January for current
students and in February for new students.
