Serving children ages 6 weeks through Pre-Kindergarten
Upon enrollment, your child will be placed in a group based upon his or her chronological age and developmental readiness. ECA accepts children of different ages based upon the classroom availability and Department of Early Learning licensing requirements.
Age ranges in our classrooms are approximate as children are grouped on growth in all developmental areas: cognitive, physical, language, and social-emotional (including self-help skills such as feeding and toilet-training).
Twice each year, the teachers evaluate children’s development. Movement into the next group is based on availability of space in that group, developmental appropriateness, and chronological age.
Our classrooms are divided into the following groups:
- Infants
- Waddlers
- Toddlers
- Early Preschool
- Preschool
- Pre-Kindergarten
Infants
6 weeks - 11 months
Our youngest program welcomes babies starting at six weeks old. ECA offers a nurturing, loving, creative environment to help our little ones grow through each developmental domain. We know that every moment with an infant is valuable, and we are devoted to making you feel at ease and content while away from home.
Waddlers
12 months - 17 months
The waddler room is designed for mobile children who are already crawling and beginning to walk. The classroom room has a no shoes policy in order to keep the environment clean so that children can explore more freely. The dedicated waddler teachers create opportunities for children to be able to express themselves in a variety of ways. Cognitive, emotional, physical, and social skills will develop when children interact and engage in play with teachers and other children in a group setting. Teachers in the waddler room encourage children to express their emotions in a healthy way as they begin to develop their language skills through words, sign language, and body language.
Toddlers
18-23 months
After the age of 18 months a child may begin to transition into the Toddler program. Transition timing may fluctuate, depending on the child’s developmental readiness and availability in the classroom. Teachers respond to each child’s language development by describing actions, expanding vocabulary along with sign language, engaging in conversations about every day experiences, and by reading stories and singing songs.
Early Preschool
2-3 years
Beginning at 24 months through 36 months old, Toddlers become more physically stable and verbally interactive. At ECA we bring flexibility, patience and a sense of humor to each day. Our Young Preschool program is just right for their high-energy learning. We offer an environment perfect for exploring, staffed by motivated, trained, enthusiastic teachers.
Preschool
3 - 4 years
It’s amazing how much a preschooler absorbs. In fact, we have built a whole program around preschools’ natural curiosity. At ECA, we guide them to discoveries and skills they will feel good about. Our bi-lingual program sets children up to succeed in a warm, loving, fun environment. Along the way, they develop a love for learning.
Pre-Kindergarten
4-5 years
As our young children progress into the Pre-K classroom, they begin the journey of learning the language of elementary school. Our curriculum provides for full integration of the Creative Curriculum, with an emphasis on language arts and mathematics, as well as on the social emotional, spiritual and physical development in alignment with Washington state standards for Kindergarten. With an understanding and appreciation of the uniqueness of every child, our ECE qualified teachers provide a nurturing environment where each child can develop individually. The primary skills that motivate formal instruction shape the core of the academic curriculum.
Classroom Transitions
Each child’s transition to the next classroom is based on chronological age, developmental readiness and availability of space. Children transition to a new classroom by spending a portion of each day in a new room (infants-two weeks and preschool-one week) prior to the final move.
In the early mornings and late afternoons, classrooms may be mixed by age (Infants, Toddlers and Preschoolers). Children arriving early or leaving late may be assigned for a brief time to a transitional room where they are grouped according to individual needs, interests, capabilities and differences.
Daily Communication
Parents of infants and toddlers will receive daily communication stating what, when and how much their child ate, as well as the times and length of their nap(s) throughout the day. Their diaper changes/toileting, general disposition, interests, any changes in their normal schedule and other important information to parents will also be documented. Reminders of supplies running low will be noted on these reports. Preschool and Pre-K parents will receive daily, weekly and monthly updates and communication.
WatchMeGrow
ECA provides the functionality of a high-end security camera system in each classroom called WatchMeGrow. Parents can monitor their child’s classroom from both iOS and Android devices. You can also access WatchMeGrow through any web browser.
"Our son has been going to ECA since May 2019 and we couldn't be happier. The teachers at ECA take special care and he has bonded so well with all of them. He enjoys his time at the classes so much that he is all smiles when he is taken to the daycare in the morning. The daycare has continuous video feed from the classroom that we use to check in on him from time to time. He is a picky eater and the teachers take good care of him by giving him alternatives if he doesn't eat the main meals.
He is especially inseparable from Miss Hill who leads his class and takes great care of him. She is a very empathetic person who understands his needs and helps him immensely. She has given us insights into his development and his communication style which has been very helpful at home.
The owner and director have been very helpful during the birth of our second child in accommodating for my son during my wife's labor. We needed an early drop-off and an alternate person to pick him up. The process was very easy and it helped reduce anxiety during a crunch time for us.
The daycare is very conveniently located and has ample parking space. The classrooms are new and very tidy. The play areas are nice and huge. They have an indoor play area for really cold days. Apart from the continuous video feed, they use a system to publish daily reports that can send real-time notifications of events that are happening. We have found this to be useful in tracking what our son ate and how long he slept in the daycare.
I will recommend this place happily to anyone who is looking for a daycare in the Bellevue area."
