Frequently Asked Questions

Age Requirement
Q: At what age can my child attend KCP?
A: Class age cut-offs are as follows: 
Group I: Children must be 2 by February 28th. 
Group II: Children must be 3 by February 28th. 
Group III: Children must be 4 by May 31st. 
Dates given are for the calendar year in which the school year begins. Thus, for example, children entering Group I in the fall of 2016 must be 2 years old by the end of February of that year.
Tuition Cost
Q: How much does it cost to attend?
A: Please see the Registration page for tuition rates.
Parent Involvement
Q: What do parents have to do as members of KCP?
A:  In order for KCP to function as a nonprofit co-operative preschool, and to maintain its affiliation with Lake Washington Institute of Technology, we have several membership requirements: 
  • One parent from each family must work in the classroom once per week for each child enrolled at the preschool. Certain exceptions apply for parents of multiples or those with newborn babies.
  • At least one parent per family must attend the monthly evening parent meeting.
  • A parent from each family is required to serve on a committee or hold a board position.
  • Each family is asked to meet a $50 fundraising commitment per school year. 
  • We ask that each family fill out and return all the required forms prior to attending their first day of school.
  • Registration, tuition, and insurance fees are the responsibility of each family to pay to KCP in a timely fashion. Registration fees are to be paid per class enrolled while tuition and insurance fees are to be paid per child enrolled in the school. If KCP tuition payment becomes too great a burden on a family, the school has a scholarship program.
  • For Groups I and II, each family will rotate through Snack/Quiet room parent duties. This job requires the family to provide snack for the whole class while they are assigned that job for that month. In Group III, each child will bring his or her own snack to school.
  • Per our contract with the church that houses us, the preschool space must be thoroughly cleaned weekly and prepared for the church's Sunday school classes. Two KCP families will be assigned to clean each session. Families usually clean two or three times during the school year.
  • One parent from each family must participate in the annual September set-up OR May pack-up event. This 2-2.5 hour morning event consists of either setting up the classroom for the school year or packing away education supplies for the summer. 
Sibling Care
Q: What can I do with my other child(ren) during my workday?
A: Due to insurance requirements, siblings of KCP students may not be in attendance while school is in session. The only two exceptions to this are when a class goes on an outing and when a family is just returning from maternity leave. Babies up to three months old and held in a baby carrier on the parent are welcome in the classroom.

​KCP does not offer sibling childcare services. However, Lake Washington Institute of Technology does have an onsite Early Learning Center which serves LWIT students and state employees. Since KCP parents are registered students, they are eligible for discounted rates and flexible childcare schedules. For more information, please call the Early Learning Center at (425) 739-8117.
Calendar
Q: When does the KCP school year begin and end?
A: The first day of school is the third Monday of September, and the last day of school every year is the last Thursday of May. Graduation for those going on to kindergarten will also occur in the last week in May.

Q: When does registration begin for the next school year?
A: In the month of January, there is a priority enrollment period for current and former KCP families followed by open registration for the general public. Current and former KCP families get first priority to sign their children up for the following school year. This priority registration period begins on January 1st, and open registration for the general public begins on the day of the open house (usually mid-January). Alumni of KCP are welcome to register their children beginning on January 1st. For a copy of the registration form, see the registration page. 

Q: How will I know if the preschool is closed for snow or other bad weather? What about spring break and the winter holidays?
A: KCP follows the Lake Washington School District calendar. When they go on vacation, so do we. On half days and conference days for the Lake Washington School District, KCP families will attend class as usual. On the days when the school district has cancelled school due to weather, KCP will also be closed. If LWSD declares a late start, KCP Groups I and II will be cancelled, and Group III will meet as able. 
Toilet Training
Q: Does KCP require children to be toilet trained before they can attend?
A: No. As a co-op, we're able to maintain a very low child/adult ratio of 4:1 or better. We have enough parents helping in the classroom so that someone can take a moment to change a diaper if needed. Many children will be more motivated to use the toilet independently when they see peers demonstrate their toilet mastery at preschool.
Community Involvement
Q: What other services does KCP offer to its families and the community?
A: In its over sixty years of operation, KCP has developed traditions of service to the community and to our families:
  • Each year KCP has two major giving campaigns. In November we work with Olive Crest and organize a giving tree to buy gifts for foster kids in need. In the spring, we organize a food drive for Hopelink to help families in need. 
  • Every year just prior to the end of school the board generates a summer park schedule. This enables new, returning and past families to come together during the long summer break from school.