Frequently Asked Questions

A micro-preschool is a small, early-learning program that typically serves fewer than 15 children, in a home-like or small community setting. We have intentionally capped our enrollment capacity at 12 children to offer an even more individualized learning experience for our students and their families.

Our program emphasizes emotional literacy development, individualized support, and respect for children as capable members of a community, all within a non-toxic, nature-centered environment. 

Our home-base will be centrally located in Colorado Springs. We anticipate sharing our permanent location in summer 2026. Our program requires drop-off in various nearby locations once a month ranging from one day to one week. Locations are shared at least one month in advance.

We serve children ages 2.5 to 5 years old. Children must be aged 2.5 by August 1st to enroll.

No. Sacred Roots is a preschool program focused on early learning, development, and kindergarten readiness.

We believe children learn best through meaningful connection to themselves, others, and the world around them. Our approach is hands-on, developmentally appropriate, and responsive, supporting each child’s interests, strengths, and individual pace of growth. You can read more deeply into our philosophy, approach, and practices in our Policy Handbook, pages 1-65.

Yes. We follow Colorado Child Care Licensing requirements and operate in alignment with state regulations. 

Our curriculum is integrative and emergent, informed by social-emotional learning principles, children’s interests, developmental needs, and the natural world. We draw from multiple research-based frameworks to design intentional, responsive, and developmentally appropriate learning experiences that unfold through extended, study-based explorations rather than short or isolated themes. These studies allow children to engage deeply with ideas over time as learning naturally evolves and extends. Check out a sample of our nature-guided curriculum here.

Study-based learning is central to our approach. Children explore topics in depth over time rather than moving quickly from one theme to the next. Studies are inspired by children’s curiosity and guided by educators to support developmental goals, with learning integrated across language, social-emotional development, thinking, and physical growth.

We take a whole-child, research-informed approach that prioritizes emotional safety, curiosity, and developmental readiness. Educators use observation, reflection, and best practices to guide learning in ways that are responsive and individualized. This ensures children are supported academically, socially, and emotionally as they grow. Families can learn more deeply about our curriculum and approaches to learning within our Policy Handbook on page 3.

We create emotionally safe environments where children are encouraged to make choices, practice problem-solving, and gradually build independence and self-regulation with developmentally appropriate guidance.

We closely observe each child’s interests, strengths, and developmental needs, then thoughtfully adapt activities, materials, and guidance to meet them where they are. Educators provide just enough support to gently extend learning beyond what a child can do independently, offering challenges that are engaging, achievable, and supportive of growth.

Nature-based learning is integrated daily through outdoor exploration and hands-on engagement with natural elements. These experiences extend across the curriculum, connecting science, math, language, creative arts, movement, and social understanding through inquiry and open-ended exploration.

Children spend significant time outdoors each day, ranging from all day or multiple short outdoor periods on-site to half days of off-site learning when weather permits. 

We teach early literacy and math through intentional, teacher-guided instruction delivered both on-site and off-site. On-site, educators introduce skills through structured lessons, including letter–sound work, phonological awareness, guided reading and writing, counting, number sense, patterns, and early measurement in whole- and small-group settings. Off-site, children apply these same skills in real-world environments by counting and measuring real objects, identifying patterns, using academic language to describe observations, following multi-step directions, and reflecting on shared experiences through discussion and documentation.

You can find what a typical day looks like here.

We follow Colorado Child Care Licensing health and safety regulations. You may also read our Health & Safety Policy.

To protect the well-being of our community, we follow Colorado Child Care Licensing illness guidelines and ask families to keep children home when they show signs of contagious illness and may return once they meet state return-to-care guidelines. You may find more information on illness in our Health and Safety Policy.

We follow Colorado Child Care Licensing requirements regarding immunizations. Families must provide required immunization records or approved exemption documentation in accordance with guidance from the Colorado Department of Early Childhood. 

We take food allergies seriously and work closely with families to follow allergy-aware practices, including clear communication, safe food handling, and individualized plans when needed.

We are not a nut-free facility unless a child with a documented nut allergy is enrolled. We work closely with families to support dietary needs and expect our community to respect allergy-aware practices.

Sunscreen is applied as needed for outdoor play in accordance with Colorado Child Care Licensing requirements. Families provide their child’s sunscreen along with written authorization, and staff follow appropriate application practices to limit cross-contamination and respect individual needs, including the use of latex-free, eco-friendly disposable gloves when different sunscreens are used.

We prioritize third-party certified non-toxic materials and cleaning products that meet Colorado Child Care Licensing health and sanitation standards. You can find more information about our practices and standards here or you can directly view a list of the products, learning materials, equipment, and furniture we use here.

We take a strengths-based, inclusive approach to support each child’s development within our scope of care.

We welcome children with a range of learning styles and support needs; we strive to create an inclusive, responsive environment. While we are not a therapeutic or special education program, we collaborate with families and outside providers when appropriate and determine enrollment on a case-by-case basis to ensure we can meet each child’s needs within our setting.

We use positive guidance and open communication to help children navigate conflicts respectfully and build emotional regulation and interpersonal skills. When additional support is needed, we partner closely with families to create consistent, individualized strategies that support the child both at school and at home, with ongoing communication to ensure a cohesive, supportive approach.

If a concern arises, we thoughtfully share observations with families in a private conversation. Our approach is collaborative and strengths-based, focused on partnering with families to support each child’s development. When helpful, we may also suggest additional supports or resources families can explore.

We assess children through ongoing observation, documentation, and reflection. Teachers monitor social-emotional development, language, motor skills, independence, and early learning foundations, and share this information with families through regular communication and parent-teacher conferences to support a holistic understanding of each child’s growth over time.

Tuition is based on enrollment rather than daily attendance.

Tuition is due on the 1st of each month and is submitted through Playground, our secure child care management platform.

Late fees are added to the family’s Playground account and must be paid in full before the next billing cycle.

Yes, tuition will be prorated for a child’s first month of enrollment based on their start date.

Yes. Extended Learning is billed based on the selected schedule, not daily attendance, as space and staffing are reserved for enrolled days.

No. Discounts may not be combined. 

We offer full-time (M-F) and part-time (M/W/F and T/Th) Early Learning Program options, as well as an Extended Learning Program reserved for families enrolled in their preferred Early Learning Program schedule.

Our Early Learning Program is open Monday through Friday from 8:30am to 2:30pm and our Extended Learning Program is open M-F from 2:30-5:00pm.

Yes, they do. Extended Learning is a reserved program and is available only on days a child is enrolled in the Early Learning program. Extended Learning availability is guaranteed for enrolled days and is not offered as drop-in care on non-enrollment days.

At this time, we are not offering our Extended Learning Program to those who are not a part of our Early Learning Program. 

Sacred Roots is a relationship-centered program. Consistent schedules allow children to feel secure, build strong relationships with teachers and peers, and experience a predictable rhythm to their days. Drop-in care would disrupt this consistency for both children and staff.

Families begin by submitting an interest form here. For more information you can go to our Admissions Process page or download our Enrollment and Admission Policy.

Yes, if a seat opens we will use a first come first serve approach to contacting families who have filled out our interest form.

We will participate in approved state and local tuition assistance programs once eligibility requirements are met. 

As a new program, we must complete licensing and approval processes before applying. Families will be notified once funding becomes available. We expect this process to take 2-6 weeks upon licensure approval.

Once approved, we work directly with funding agencies to coordinate payments.

Families are expected to provide their children with a healthy lunch and snack(s). We believe families know their child best and that includes food preferences.

Families will be asked to provide a lunch and snack(s), weather-appropriate clothing, a change of clothes, any required personal items, and a water bottle.

Close-toed shoes and comfortable, seasonally appropriate clothing suitable for outdoor play is encouraged.

You can find our 2026-2027 schedule here. 

Families will be notified of closures or delayed openings 2-hours prior to our regular start time. Seasonal weather is viewed as a learning opportunity, and families should ensure children are dressed appropriately.

Families are required to provide 30-day written notice of withdrawal, as outlined in the enrollment agreement, to allow for thoughtful planning and continuity of care. More on our policies here.

Children must be toilet-trained or actively trying. More information may be found here.

We use Playground, a secure, all-in-one school communication platform to keep families connected and informed. Through the platform, families receive real-time updates, photos, and messages, and can access lesson plans, observations, developmental notes, attendance, incident reports, digital check-in/out, billing, enrollment forms, and required licensing documentation—all in one organized place.

Families receive regular updates about classroom activities and program news.

We build community through shared values, open communication, and meaningful opportunities for connection. Throughout the year, families are invited to participate in gatherings or collaborative projects connected to classroom learning, such as seasonal projects or shared celebrations. These experiences are designed to foster a sense of belonging and shared purpose, without placing expectations on families to attend formal events or after-school programs.

Yes! Parent involvement is welcomed and encouraged. We value families as partners in the learning community and offer opportunities for parents to support the classroom through volunteering, sharing skills, reading stories, helping with projects, or participating in special activities. All volunteering is coordinated with teachers to ensure it supports classroom flow, child safety, and licensing requirements.

Parent-teacher conferences are offered once each quarter, with additional meetings available upon request. One of the benefits of our intentionally small preschool is the ability to maintain ongoing, responsive communication with families. This allows us to meet regularly, adjust support as children grow, and ensure families feel consistently informed and supported throughout the year.