Preschool
More than a Preschool
At Desert Christian Academy, our Preschool & Pre-kindergarten classes help build a strong foundation in both a child's spiritual life and academic future. DCA Preschool has been a licensed preschool facility since 1998. We believe that a strong academic foundation, balanced with hands-on learning and discovery, equips students for academic success in the future. Our highly qualified early education team partners with parents to make the initial educational experience for students enjoyable and rewarding.
We focus on helping children grow in all areas of development, including spiritually. We place a high value on social-emotional development in the younger years to set students up for success in Pre-Kindergarten and beyond. Students develop good work habits and strong social skills while learning about biblical values and Godly character that reflects Christ.
Typical Day
Daily schedules and routines differ for each classroom and age group but each class schedule includes both large and small group activities, outdoor play, Bible time, art, and facilitated free play. Preschool chapel is every Thursday morning at 9:05am and parents are always welcome to attend.
Curriculum
We use BJU Press for phonics, language arts, and math. This is a Christian curriculum that is also used in some DCA elementary classrooms. For Bible we utilize curriculum by GROUP publishing. Toddlers and preschoolers use Play-N-Worship while the Pre-K classrooms use the Simply Loved Bible curriculum. This curriculum makes Bible stories and biblical principles come alive and includes music and a focus on learning Bible verses. For ages 3 and up, the Handwriting Without Tears curriculum is used to teach writing skills. This curriculum is research based and developed by an occupational therapist. It includes fun games, practice sheets, music and more to enhance the student's ability to form letters and numbers.
Preschool Requirements
DCA Preschool serves students as young as 18 months all the way through 5 years old. Children who turn 5 before October 2nd are eligible for DCA Kindergarten. Children in our toddler classroom and/or the Young Preschool classroom do not have to be potty trained. Students are required to be potty trained by the time they are enrolled in the older preschool classroom. We partner with families to see this important skill mastered.
Hours of
Operation
Monday – Friday 7:00 am – 5:30 pm
Drop off is between 7:00-8:30 am
Half-day pick up is between 12:00-12:30 pm
Full-day pick up is between 2:30-5:30 pm
