Frequently Asked Questions

To reserve your child’s spot, simply complete the enrollment process and pay the non-refundable registration fee and first week’s tuition. Your space will then be held until your scheduled start date.

Your tuition includes up to 10 hours of care per day, educational programming, classroom supplies, breakfast, lunch, and an afternoon snack. It also includes our enrichment programs at no additional cost (offerings vary by location). If care is needed beyond 10 hours in a day, an additional fee will apply.

Yes! At all locations, we accept the Minnesota Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP), Early Learning Scholarships, Child Care Aware® (for eligible military families), and grants through participating educational institutions. We also offer childcare discounts for CKA employees. Visit our Affording Child Care page to learn more about available programs, discounts, and special offers.

We follow Minnesota Rule 3 teacher-to-child ratios: Infants 4:1, Toddlers 7:1, Preschool 10:1, and School Age 15:1.

To help your child get the most out of their day, we recommend arriving by 8:30 a.m. so they can participate in morning activities and classroom routines. We understand that every family’s schedule is different and offer flexible scheduling options. If your child has an appointment or needs to arrive later, that’s no problem—we simply ask that you let your center know in advance whenever possible.

Yes! We offer a full-day preschool program at each of our locations. Our STEAM-based curriculum combines hands-on learning, social-emotional development, and kindergarten readiness to help children build confidence and a lifelong love of learning. Parent-teacher conferences are held twice a year to discuss your child’s progress. Learn more on our Preschool Program page.

Yes! We use the Procare Connect app to keep families connected throughout the day. You’ll receive real-time updates on meals, diapers, naps, activities, milestones, and photos, along with important announcements, newsletters, and event reminders. The app also makes it easy to communicate directly with your child’s teachers.

Keeping children safe is our highest priority. Our centers have secure entry systems, with building access codes provided only to authorized individuals. Anyone without a door code must ring the doorbell and present a valid photo ID before being admitted and authorized to pick up a child.

Safety goes beyond our doors. Our teachers conduct frequent headcounts, practice active supervision at all times, follow strict procedures for arrivals, departures, and emergency preparedness, and receive ongoing training in emergency procedures, child safety, and more.

Yes. We can administer both prescription medications and certain over-the-counter medications in accordance with our medication policy. Prescription medications must be in their original labeled container, and all medications require a completed medication form before they can be administered. Over the counter medication may be allowed depending on the type of medication and the instructions. Please contact your center director with any questions about medications.

For safe sleep, only standard, one-layer sleep sacks are permitted. If you have questions about a specific sleep sack, please ask your center director before bringing it to the center.

To protect children with food allergies and maintain a safe classroom environment, we ask that families generally do not bring outside food into the center. We provide nutritious meals and snacks each day. Exceptions may be made when we cannot accommodate a documented dietary need, such as certain allergies or a vegan diet.

We can serve approved alternatives to cow’s milk, including unflavored soy milk, rice milk, lactose-free milk, and oat milk. At most locations, families provide the milk alternative. If your center participates in the food program, approved milk alternatives may be provided. Please check with your center director for details.

Yes. All Creative Kids Academy locations are nut-free to help protect children with food allergies.

We support breastfeeding mothers. Please send breast milk already prepared in labeled bottles for the day. After a bottle has been used, it will be refrigerated, clearly marked, and sent home with you at the end of the day to be washed and refilled for the next day.