About Us
"Quality Education in a Rural Setting"
Kids Express Learning Center
Located on Prairie View Farm, an 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.
Llamas, sheep, goats, and exotic fowl reside in meadows and paddocks surrounding our school. Our classrooms' large windows offer your child a chance to enjoy animal antics and activities throughout the day.
Children play on wooded playgrounds, explore nature along the wooded trails, enjoy rewarding, sensory rich learning experiences centered around nature, organic gardening, animal care, and learn through practical, hands-on, small group lessons centered on language and literacy, art, math, science, social studies, music and movement, keyboard, creative dramatics, health and physical education.
Professional Staff
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All of our early childhood teachers hold degrees and are highly qualified to nurture your child's cognitive, emotional, social, and physical growth. Our teachers provide nurturing environments designed to encourage in children a love for learning and strong confidence in themselves as learners. It is our greatest hope and strongest belief that exceptional preschool programs prepare children remarkably well for a life-time of enjoyable learning.
Teachers at Kids Express Learning Center are professionally trained to observe children, listen to specific needs, identify specific interests, note learning styles, and document observations and progress in learning and development. Teachers use the information gathered to make decisions about curriculum as well as materials and developmental activities for the class, as well as for the individual child.
Learning Centers
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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 Dahlhouse was actually the Dahl family home until 2005, when it was remodeled and became part of our learning center. Within each building, classroom decor includes natural wood furniture and cabinetry, soothing colors, and large windows from which to view the picturesque scenery and bask in natural sun light.
Each classroom is designed for a specific age group and can accommodate 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. Lessons are sensory focused; they involve touching, tasting, visually examing 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.
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, and needs encouragement and support to grow emotionally, morally, and socially strong.
Registration/Enrollment
New enrollments are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. A non-refundable registration fee is charged per child. Children may be placed on a "wait list" until a desired opening becomes available. Once placement is offered and is accepted by parents, parents sign an enrollment agreement and complete additional forms for their child's file. Enrollment for the academic school year occurs in January for current students and in February for new students. However, Applications for Enrollment may be submitted at any time.
Hours of Operation
Hours of operation are 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., 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 summer.
Fees
Academic school year fees 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 the current fee schedules.