Coming Soon...
New Location on
Federal Way
partnered with
Peace Valley Charter School
Welcome to our Peace Valley Childcare location, where curiosity meets creativity! At Little Sprouts of Idaho, we embrace the principles of Waldorf education to nurture your child's natural wonder and developmental journey. Inspired by the Waldorf approach, we believe in fostering a holistic environment that values imaginative play, hands-on learning, and a connection with nature.
Our mission is to support YOU as a parent balancing work, school, and home life through quality childcare and mutual trust.
WHAT PARENTS SAY
What is Waldorf?
Waldorf education, also known as Steiner education, is a holistic approach to learning that emphasizes the development of a child's intellectual, artistic, and practical skills in a supportive and integrated environment. It seeks to nurture not only academic proficiency but also creativity, social responsibility, and emotional intelligence. Central to Waldorf education is the belief that children should learn at their own pace and in a way that respects their individual developmental stages. Waldorf schools typically have a structured curriculum that evolves with the child's growth, fostering a balanced and well-rounded education that prepares students to engage meaningfully in society.
Little Sprouts FAQ's
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What degrees or certifications does your staff have? What training do they have?We strive to hire and retain caregivers who share our philosophy of building up your children's foundation, so they grow to be strong, confident, and independent adults. All our staff is working towards their Child Development Associate Credential (CDA). Some teachers also have an Associate Degree, Bachelor's Degree, and a Master's. All our teachers do ongoing training through the IdahoSTARS program to stay up to date on the most current childcare principles and methods.
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What is a Child Development Associate Credential (CDA)?The Child Development Associate Credential (CDA) is "the most widely recognized credential in early childhood education (ECE) and is designed to assess and credential early childhood education professionals. The Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential™ is based on a core set of competency standards which guide early care professionals as they work toward becoming qualified teachers of young children." Source: PowerPoint Presentation (tn.gov)
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What are some things a Waldorf inspired daycare implement?Natural Materials: Toys, furniture, and play materials made from natural materials like wood, cotton, and wool to encourage sensory exploration and connection with the natural world. Creative Play: Emphasis on imaginative and creative play, with toys that are simple and open-ended to stimulate children's creativity and problem-solving skills. Artistic Activities: Opportunities for artistic expression through activities such as painting, drawing, sculpting with clay, and storytelling. Rhythms and Rituals: Daily and seasonal rhythms and rituals that provide a sense of security and continuity for young children, such as circle time, singing, and seasonal celebrations. Outdoor Play: Regular outdoor play in natural settings to promote physical development, connection with nature, and exploration of the environment. Healthy Nutrition: Emphasis on providing nutritious, organic, and often locally sourced meals and snacks that support children's health and well-being. Language Development: Storytelling, puppetry, and language-rich environments to support language development and early literacy skills. Community and Social Skills: Opportunities for cooperative play and social interaction that promote empathy, conflict resolution, and communication skills. Caring Environment: A nurturing and supportive environment where each child's individuality is respected and their emotional needs are met. Parental Involvement: Encouragement of parental involvement through communication, workshops, and events that foster a strong partnership between parents and educators.
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What are your hours?We provide childcare services to the Boise area from 6:30am - 5:30pm Monday through Friday.
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Do I need to bring diapers and wipes?Yes, parents are to provide all the diapers and wipes for children who are not potty trained. You child will be assigned a cubby for the storage of their belongings, and we ask that everything be labled.
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What is your sick-child policy?Parents are asked to not request children “stay inside” due to illness. If your child is too sick to play then they should not be in child care for that day.
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What if I can't pick my child up on time?We understand that there will be times when you are unable to meet the 5:30PM check-out time. We will have a staff member wait with your child until you arrive. Please note, a late fee of $3.00 per child per minute will be charged from 5:35PM to the time the child is clocked out.
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What is your child to caregiver ratio?We follow the Boise City ratios. Some classes may be mixed, but in general, our ratios are: 0-24 months 5:1 2 years old 6:1 3-4 years 10:1 5-12 years 12:1
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Do you take ICCP?Yes! More information about the programs and resources we accept/provide are listed in our parent resources section.
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Do you provide hot meals?Yes! We provide Breakfast before 9am, Lunch, and a PM snack. We follow the USDA food nutrition guidelines to provide healthy fulfilling meals for all our our kids.
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What are your vaccination requirements?We do not require vaccinations, additionally you have to sign a paper stating you are doing vaccinations on your own time or sign a exemption for medical or religious reasons. We keep track of every child's vaccination record on file with Iris and update it on the first of every month.
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What do you use for parent communication?We use a program called Procare to communicate with parents, make payments, log diapers and bathroom time, feeding times (bottles, ozs, ect.), and much more.
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How soon can I enroll my child?Once you have toured the daycare and met with Sabrina (Owner) or Heidi (Director), you can fill out the enrollment papers. From there, your child can start as soon as possible.
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Do I have to take a tour, or can I just send you the enrollment papers?We require a tour before enrolling any children so we can meet, get to know you, and go over any questions you may have.
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When is tuition due?For families paying out of pocket, tuition is due on Monday at drop-off. For ICCP families, your copay is due by the 10th of the month. Failure to pay by this date will result in a late fee.