UCDS Infant-Toddler Education

At-A-Glance


Our Infant-Toddler Education program is designed to allow our youngest students the opportunity to learn through play and investigation and understand how the world works. Learning also occurs through interaction, participating in community, and belonging. As a student-centered program that values each child as unique, our top priority is to create a balanced, diverse, stable and supportive community of children—one that encourages communication and cooperation.

Infant-Toddler Education Enrollment

Registration and fees

To create and sustain a stable community, we give priority to families looking for full-time enrollment—five days a week. If openings remain, we’ll draw from families interested in two- or three-day enrollment. You may submit an enrollment request form here.

Tuition varies depending on whether your child is enrolled full-time or part-time and depending on their age. Families may pay tuition in advance for the entire year or opt into a payment plan. Learn more about enrollment and get detailed tuition information here.

Take a tour

If you are interested in our Infant-Toddler Education program, we’d love for you to attend a virtual tour. Learn more here.

More about our program

At A Glance
The Curriculum

Our flexible curriculum is inspired by children’s natural curiosity and inclination to learn through play and investigation. Children experiment, question, and discover through a range of activities including small group projects, large group explorations, and individual learning opportunities. Each experience is designed to help children make connections and express their own thoughts, understanding, and creativity.

At A Glance 4
The Arts

All children have pictures in their head. We integrate the arts to coax those images out so we can understand what a child has knowledge of. The arts also promote cognitive, linguistic, and social development and offer children opportunities to make connections and express themselves.

At A Glance 1
Schedules

The program runs from 8:15 am through 3:00 pm. Once enrolled, you may opt for extended care before the school day (7:30-8:15) or after (3:00-5:30) for an additional fee.

At A Glance 3
Nutrition

Our goal is the overall health of every UCDS student. We offer two nutritious snacks each day—one in the morning, the other in the afternoon—while lunch is brought from home. Snacks are served family-style and feature a wide variety of foods, including organic fruits and vegetables, nitrate-free sandwich meat and organic milk. We work in partnership with parents to address specific dietary needs and sensitivities.

More You Should Know

  • Our program is highly influenced by the Reggio Emilia approach to early childhood education, which is co-constructed, self-directed, and relationship-driven.
  • Teachers use observations about each student to design Infant-Toddler Education curriculum.
  • The program consists of three classes and we work within WA state regulations for adult-to-child ratios.
  • Currently, the Infant/Waddler class (0-14 months) has a 3:1 child/teacher ratio, the Toddler class (15months-2 years) has a 5:1 child/teacher ratio, and our Young Preschool class (2+) has a 7:1 child/teacher ratio.
  • Enrollment in our Infant-Toddler Education program does not guarantee acceptance into our Early Elementary program.