Preschool

Play-Based Learning

Ken-Caryl Ranch Preschool

The Ken-Caryl Ranch Preschool is a play-based program for children aged 3 – 5.5 years. We form a strong community of children, families, and staff, and we strive to meet every one of our community members’ needs.

Ken-Caryl Ranch Preschool encourages children, and the adults around them, to see themselves as incredibly capable and to encourage a lifelong love of learning. We align our goals for each student with the standards that local kindergartens expect to make the transition from preschool to elementary school as wonderful as it can be!

Our school follows the Jeffco Public School family calendar.

2024-2025 Preschool Fees

$125

Resident

$156

Non-Resident

(in addition to monthly fees – see below)

Fees are per child and will be due at the time of your child’s enrollment and is non-refundable if your child or children are withdrawn from the program for any reason
*Registration will be first come, first served.

2024-25 school year

Preschool Registration

Registration Dates:

Current Preschool Families
Monday, Feb. 12 at 9 a.m. – Friday, Feb. 16 at 12 p.m.

Ken-Caryl Residents
Monday, Feb. 19 at 9 a.m.- Friday, March 1st at noon

Open to the public
Monday, March 4 at 9 a.m.

Ranch House Preschooler Capacity Per Day: Min 5/Max 10
Rainbow Preschooler Capacity Per Day: Min 5/Max 18

First Day of School

Monday, Aug. 19, 2024

Last Day of School

Friday, May 16, 2025

Universal Pre-K Information (UPK)

Ken-Caryl is working with the Colorado Department of Early Childhood (CDEC) to offer UPK at our facilities for the 2024-25 school year. We are hopeful we can offer this to our families but are still working out the details as the CDEC still has many unknowns for participation in the program for the 2024-25 school year. In addition, the Ken-Caryl Ranch Preschool (KCRP) registration timeline does not align with the CDEC timeline. Below is information on UPK for KCRP, but please be aware this could change as information is disseminated from CDEC.

UPK Eligibility

The 2024-2025 UPK program is offered through the CDEC and your child is eligible if:

  • they will go into kindergarten during the 2025-2026 school year and
  • if they were born between October 2, 2019, and October 1, 2020 and
  • if they are in our preschool program 10 hours minimum a week during the 2024-25 school year

In order to receive UPK funding, eligible participants will need to register with UPK online after they have a confirmed registration with Ken-Caryl Ranch Preschool. We will e-mail eligible families next steps for enrollment in UPK once they register with KCRP, and once UPK releases information on their enrollment process for the 2024-25 school year.

Pricing for KCRP for Those Eligible for UPK

UPK will pay either 10 or 15 hours of care per week for eligible children, and families will then pay the remaining cost to KCRP monthly. We are waiting on the CDEC to release more information on payment for the 2024-25 school year to determine the cost to families. Below are the eligible KCRP schedules:

Ranch House Columbine Room (9 a.m. – 12 p.m.)
Mon-Fri: 15 hours of care covered by UPK
Mon/Wed/Fri: not eligible for UPK
Tues/Thurs: not eligible for UPK

Community Center-Rainbow Room (9 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.)
Mon-Fri: 15 hours of care covered by UPK
Mon/Wed/Fri: 10 hours of care covered by UPK
Tues/Thurs: not eligible for UPK

General Information
For more information and FAQs on UPK please visit: https://cdec.colorado.gov/universal-preschool-family-information

School Year Fees

Ranch House

Ages: 3 – 5.5

Time: 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Fees:

Mon – Fri

  • Resident: $546/month
  • Non-Resident: $683/month

Mon/Wed/Fri

  • Resident: $351/month
  • Non-Resident: $439/month

Tue/Thu

  • Resident: $234/month
  • Non-Resident: $293/month
Community Center

Ages: Rainbow 3-5.5

Time: 9 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Fees:

Mon – Fri

  • Resident: $700/month
  • Non-Resident: $875/month

Mon/Wed/Fri

  • Resident: $450/month
  • Non-Resident: $563/month

Tue/Thu

  • Resident: $300/month
  • Non-Resident: $375/month

The Ken-Caryl Ranch Early Childhood Team provides quality programming for the early childhood population ages 0-5 years old and their families. Over the last four years, we have been shifting our preschool program to an early childhood education enrichment model. The goal of this shift is to reach a larger population in our Ken-Caryl community with diverse programming options.

In summer 2024, we will be changing our preschool camp hours to be 8:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. For the 2024-25 school year, we will be changing our Community Center Rainbow Room hours to 9 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. The Ranch House Preschool Program hours will remain the same.

Why Choose Ken-Caryl Ranch Preschool?

In addition to a loving, warm environment our preschool provides:

  • Chances every day to discover or create something new and exciting.
  • Opportunities to find out what is inherently special about themselves, other people and any object they encounter.
  • Safe spaces to learn how to identify and manage their emotions and learn to listen to their inner voice.
  • Ways to see themselves as incredibly capable and to encourage a lifelong love of learning.
  • Thoughtful, intentional, developmentally appropriate and FUN curriculum designed by highly competent, nurturing and playful teachers.
preschool kids

Get to Know Us

andrea
RANCH HOUSE
(M – F)
ANDREA

Hi, my name is Andrea and I love teaching at KCRP! I grew up in this community and love Littleton. I have been married to my husband Chris for more than 20 years, and we have two daughters, Ava and Liberty! We love to hike and bike together. I am also a competitive soccer coach for Colorado United and my daughter Ava plays for CO United as well. We love to do anything outside in Colorado!

TaylorKnightCropped
RAINBOW ROOM
(M – F)
TAYLOR

Hi, my name is Taylor Knight, and I am very excited to be part of the Ken-Caryl Ranch Preschool team! I am 22 years old and a Colorado native. I am passionate about film and just graduated from film school. I have worked with kids for eight years and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to get to know the kids and families in the Rainbow Room! I cannot wait to see all of the amazing things this year has in store!

JEN
RAINBOW ROOM
(M-TH)
JEN

My name is Jen and this is my 5th year at Ken-Caryl Preschool. I have two daughters, Izzy and Zoe. My husband’s name is Zach, and we have lived in the Ken-Caryl area for more than 10 years. I look forward to getting to know all the Ken-Caryl Preschool’s kiddos and families! Let’s make this a memorable, fun year together!

Metropolitan District Preschool Supervisor Cara Curtis
PRESCHOOL DIRECTOR
CARA

Hi, my name is Cara, and I am the Preschool Director here at Ken Caryl Ranch Preschool. I am a Colorado native and have worked with kids of all ages for 14 years. I am engaged and expecting a little girl in 2024. Some of my hobbies are hiking, crafts, and going outdoors with my Goldendoodle Appa. This is my third year in Early Childhood where both programs undergo a Colorado Shines state rating. I am so thrilled to meet all your kiddos in the KCR community.

Parent Handbook & School Year Calendars

Weather Closure Reminder

If Jeffco Schools institutes…
2-Hour Delay:

  • Ranch House Columbine Room Preschool closed for the day
  • Community Center Rainbow Room Preschool on a 2-hour delay

Full-Closure

  • All preschool closed for the day
  • Art Ventures and Outdoor Discovery closed for the day

Nature Enrichment

Ideal for preschoolers, part-time kindergartners, or students attending home school.

ART VENTURES SPRING 2024
Fees:
  • Resident: $465
  • Non-Resident: $558

Ages: 3 and up plus potty trained

Dates: January 25 – May 9 (Thursdays) (no program 3/21)

Time: 12:10 p.m. – 3  p.m.

Location: Dakota Lodge

This enriching program brings opportunity for students to explore and connect to nature in new ways through artistic learning and outdoor exploration! Each Thursday, there are new discoveries and adventures with curriculum and activities varying each week. Let your little one’s creativity thrive!

Please bring lunch, proper shoes for hiking, water bottle and clothes to be outside.

For more information email youthprograms@kcranch.org or call 303-979-1876.

Wonders of Nature SPRING 2024

We look forward to offering several topic-based preschool nature enrichment sessions! Your student will get to explore nature with experiments, hikes, and opportunities to view wildlife in the KCR community! Each session will have fun and engaging nature-based lessons focused on the session’s topic specifically related to Colorado or the Ken-Caryl area! Registration is for specific topic-based, 3 to 4 week-long sessions.

Please bring lunch, proper shoes for hiking, water bottle and clothes to be outside.

For more information email youthprograms@kcranch.org or call 303-979-1876.

Ages: 3-6 plus potty trained

Dates: Spring 2024 session Topics & Dates (Tuesdays):

    • Winter Animals-> Jan. 23-Feb. 30
    • Bugs-> Feb. 20-March 12
    • Mammals-> March 26-April 16
    • Weather-> April 23-May 7

Times: 12:10-3 p.m.

Location: Dakota Lodge

Fees:

  • Fee for 4-week session: Resident- $124; Non-Res- $149
  • Fee for 3-week session: Resident- $93; Non-Res- $111

Story Time at the Ranch House

We are thrilled to partner with Jefferson County Libraries to offer family fun while sharing our love of children’s literature. Family Story Time is for all ages. The program is free, and no registration is required.

Ages: All ages welcome!

Dates: Thursdays: 10:15-10:45 a.m., on the lawn outside of the Ranch House or inside in the Bradford Room during winter.

Location: Ranch House

Fee: Free

Camps at Ken-Caryl Community Center

Preschool Summer Camp

preschool boy
RAINBOW FISH CAMP

Ages: Pre-K & K (3 – 5 years old)

*Fee for 5-Day Week (subject to approval by Board):
  • Resident: $200
  • Non-Resident: $260

*Pro-rated for 4-day Memorial Day and 3-day Independence Day weeks.

Dates: May 28 – Aug. 2

Daily Hours: 8:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Location: Community Center

Rainbow Fish Special Activities 

Monday – Splash Pad/Pool
Tuesday – Splash Pad/Pool
Wednesday – Splash Pad/Pool
Thursday – Field Trip
Friday – Heirloom Park

Campers must be dropped off before 9 a.m. for field trip days.

2024 Camp Registration

  • Registration is online! Preschool camp (Rainbow Fish) is for 3-5 year olds. If registering in a school-age camp, please select the camp based on the grade your child will enter for the 2024-2025 school year.
  • Families may register for full weeks (Mon-Friday), no partial weeks offered. There are two holiday weeks that include a holiday, Memorial Day is a 4-day week (Tues.-Fri.) and Independence Day is a 3-day week (Mon.-Wed.).
  • A $40 per week, per child deposit is required upon registration. This is non-refundable and non-transferrable.
  • Registration will open in phases. The first day of each window will open at 9 a.m. that day. The last day of each window will close at 5 p.m. that day. Date windows are:
    • March 11-22 -> Public – Ken-Caryl Ranch Residents.
    • March 25-29 -> Public – Non-Residents
    •  -> When registering, please select the camp based on the age/grade requirements per camp. Preschool camp is for 3-5 year olds. 
  • Cancellation deadline is April 19.
  • Questions about preschool? Contact Cara Curtis at carac@kcranch.org

Summer Notes

Having an online account is helpful (required) to complete this registration process. We recommend creating an account in advance of registration.

*The following documents will be required for camp. Once registered; information on how to upload this information will be provided.

Participants must have a health appraisal that is current (within the last year) on file at all times. If yours expires during camp, please upload the new one once received from your doctor.

Questions: Please email carac@kcranch.org

Have a child going into Kindergarten? You have options! Please see School Age’s ‘The Hoots’ Camp and KC Nature’s Tadpoles Camp for more information.

Looking for something for 6th – 10th graders? Check out our Teen/Pre-Teen Camps!

preschool boy