Frequently Asked Questions | Evergreen Explorers Preschool

Welcome to the FAQ page for Evergreen Explorers Preschool, a licensed in-home preschool located in Hawks Prairie, Olympia, WA. We’re here to help you learn more about our play-based, whole-child focused early childhood program. Below are answers to our most frequently asked questions.

General Questions

📍 Where is Evergreen Explorers Preschool located?

We are a licensed in-home preschool in the Hawks Prairie neighborhood of Olympia, Washington (98516), just minutes from Lacey and JBLM.

👶 What ages do you serve?

Our program is designed for children ages 2.5 to 6 years old who are ready to engage in a structured, play-based preschool setting.

🧑‍🏫 Who runs the preschool?

Evergreen Explorers is owned and operated by Olivia, a certified early childhood educator with a degree from Sonoma State University and years of experience nurturing young learners.

📚 Curriculum & Philosophy

🌱 What kind of curriculum do you use?

We follow a developmentally appropriate, nature-inspired, and play-based curriculum that encourages exploration, creativity, and emotional intelligence. Our monthly themes include art, music, science, movement, cooking, and sensory play.

🧠 Do you support children with different learning styles or developmental needs?

Yes! We honor all learning styles and strive to create an inclusive, supportive environment. If your child has unique developmental needs, we’re happy to work with you to determine if our program is a good fit.

🎵 Do you offer enrichment programs?

Yes! We offer weekly live music classes via Zoom with Jocelyn Manzanarez of Musically Minded, as well as regular cooking, gardening, and outdoor learning experiences.

🕒 Hours & Schedule

📆 What are your preschool hours?

We offer full-day care from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday. Morning and afternoon half-day sessions are also available.

📅 Do you follow a school-year calendar?

Loosely. We operate year round with a 1 week closure in Spring and 1 week in December. We are closed for 2 weeks in July for a classroom reset and educator rest.

🏖 Will I be billed during breaks?

No, tuition is not billed during our summer closure. Regular tuition will be billed for spring and winter closures.

🍎 Meals & Nutrition

🥪 Do you provide meals?

We provide two healthy snacks and lunch daily that meet CACFP nutrition standards.

🍓 What kind of snacks do you serve?

Snacks include fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and dairy or protein options (e.g., yogurt, cheese, crackers, hard-boiled eggs). We rotate menus weekly and post them in advance.

💬 Enrollment & Tuition

💲 How much does it cost to attend Evergreen Explorers?

Tuition depends on your child's schedule. Please contact us for our current tuition rates and availability. We strive to offer high-quality, affordable care for families in Olympia and Lacey.

🧾 Do you accept child care subsidies?

Yes! We proudly accept state child care subsidies through Working Connections Child Care (WCCC) and other approved assistance programs. Please reach out if you need help navigating the application process—we’re happy to support you.

📝 How do I enroll?

You can schedule a tour and complete our online enrollment form. Spots are limited to maintain small ratios, so we recommend enrolling early.

📤 Is there a waitlist?

Yes. If our program is full, you can join our waitlist and we’ll notify you when an opening becomes available.

🛡️ Licensing & Safety

✅ Are you licensed?

Yes! Evergreen Explorers Preschool is licensed through the Washington State Department of Children, Youth & Families (DCYF) and meets all required health, safety, and training standards.

🧽 What are your health and cleaning protocols?

We follow strict daily cleaning and sanitizing routines. Sick children are required to stay home to maintain the health of our preschool community.

📣 Contact & Tours

👋 Can we come see the preschool?

Absolutely! We love welcoming new families. Schedule a tour to come meet us, explore the classroom, and ask any questions in person.

📞 How can I contact you?

You can reach us by email at Grow@EvergreenExplorersPreschool.com or through our contact form. We usually respond within 1 business day.