Extended Care Program

Supportive, Consistent Before- and After-School Care for Preschool and Kindergarten Families

Many families need a little extra time on each side of the school day, and the Extended Care Program at Kidspace is designed to make those mornings and afternoons feel calm, welcoming, and predictable. Our Extended Care program offers a gentle start or finish to the day, giving children space to ease into school or unwind after learning, all while staying connected to the same community they know and trust.

Kidspace is open from 7:00 am to 4:00 pm, and Extended Care is available for up to one and a half hours before and after your child’s scheduled Preschool or Kindergarten program.

What the Extended Care Program Looks Like at Kidspace

Extended Care is intentionally different from classroom instruction. These quieter morning and afternoon times give children the opportunity to settle in, build friendships, and enjoy a slower rhythm. Teachers offer developmentally appropriate activities that help children feel comfortable and engaged, without overwhelming them at the beginning or end of the day.

Children might explore classroom materials, work on simple art projects, read books, or enjoy imaginative play with classmates. Teachers support children through gentle transitions, help them build independence, and create a relaxed atmosphere that feels safe and familiar.

Before and after care also includes time for kids to move their bodies, whether they’re in the gym or out on the playground. In the afternoons, children enjoy a generous block of outdoor play, giving them space to run, climb, explore, and reconnect with friends after a full day of learning. It’s a natural, joyful way for them to unwind, burn energy, and simply be kids.

For many families in Vancouver, WA, Extended Care provides the flexibility they need while giving children added time for connection and community. Extended care is offered on a daily, as-needed basis, with separate fees for morning and afternoon sessions. Care is billed daily, with some families using it every day, while others only need occasional support once or twice a month.

Because space is limited, families simply let us know their plans ahead of time so we can reserve the care they need.

A Consistent Environment Children Feel Good About

One of the things families appreciate most about Extended Care is that children remain in the same Kidspace environment they enjoy during the regular school day. They are greeted by staff who know them well, understand their routines, and provide the same warmth and structure found in our Preschool and Kindergarten programs.

This consistency helps children feel secure during drop-off and pick-up. Whether they are easing into their day or decompressing after class, children benefit from a predictable setting, familiar faces, and a pace that meets their needs.

Extended Care Supports the Whole Child

Even though Extended Care is not a formal academic block, it still plays an important role in supporting each child’s development. Children practice:

Social skills, as they build friendships, share materials, and play cooperatively
Self-regulation, as they transition between activities and learning environments
Independence, through simple routines like unpacking, organizing belongings, or choosing quiet activities
Creativity, with open-ended play and exploration

These moments help children feel confident, capable, and connected, skills just as important as anything learned during classroom instruction.

Designed to Fit Family Schedules

Kidspace understands that every family’s routine looks a little different. Extended Care gives parents added flexibility without compromising the quality of their child’s experience. Whether you need morning support to ease the rush out the door or afternoon care to bridge the gap to pick-up time, our program is designed to help your day run more smoothly.

Extended Care is available to families enrolled in Preschool or Kindergarten and follows the same traditional school calendar, with summer care offered through our July–August program, depending on availability.

Why Families Choose Kidspace Extended Care

Extended Care is more than a practical solution. It’s an extension of the Kidspace philosophy. Families appreciate:

A warm, predictable start and end to the school day
Staff who know their children well and offer gentle guidance
A safe, nurturing environment where children feel at home
Activities that encourage creativity, kindness, and curiosity
Smooth transitions that support emotional well-being

For many children, Extended Care is a favorite part of their day. A time to connect, play, and unwind in a space created just for them.

Frequently Asked Questions About Extended Care

Who can enroll in Extended Care?
Extended Care is available to families enrolled in Kidspace Preschool or the two-year Kindergarten program.

What are the hours for Extended Care?
Kidspace is open from 7:00 am to 4:00 pm. Extended Care includes up to 1.5 hours before and after your child’s scheduled school day.

Is Extended Care structured like the classroom?
No. Extended Care is a gentle, child-led environment designed for connection, comfort, and play, not formal instruction.

Do children stay with the same teachers?
Extended Care staff are part of the Kidspace community, and children are cared for by adults who know them well and understand their routines.

Is Extended Care offered during the summer?
Summer programming runs July-August, and Extended Care may be available depending on enrollment and space. Current families receive priority.

How does Kidspace help children with transitions during Extended Care?
Teachers use consistent routines, warm guidance, and flexible activities to help children feel settled during both drop-off and pick-up periods.

Check Extended Care Availability

Space in Extended Care is limited, and enrollment fills quickly. If you think your family may need before- or after-school support, let us know — we’re happy to talk through options.

Ask about openings today.

What families say about our program.

Loving, Caring, and Attentive to Each Child’s Needs

We love Kidspace so much! The teachers are so caring and dedicated to helping the kids learn and grow. They are so thoughtful about coming up with activities that would interest and challenge each student. The teachers are also very dedicated to helping kids work on their social and emotional skills. They really meet the kids where they are at, instead of trying to make the kids fit into their classroom. It is very clear that they are experienced educators, and not just babysitters trying to get through the day. We had a tough experience at another preschool in Vancouver, so it was such a relief to finally feel at home at Kidspace!

Truly, every single teacher and staff member is lovely and caring. Everyone knows all of our names, even teachers from other classes. And they are very careful and thoughtful about our kid’s allergies. It’s a relief to send him to school feeling like he is in safe hands.

We also love the play-based curriculum — our kid comes home every day with a new project or story about a fun classroom activity. He is excited to go to school and see all his friends and teachers. What a joy! I am so glad we found Kidspace.

Beth Ford

Happy, Engaged, Supported Independent Play

My husband and I found Kidspace while searching for an alternative to the daycare our 3 year old daughter was previously enrolled in. We toured several different locations, but the moment we found Kidspace we stopped our search. As we toured the classes, we saw happy, engaged, supported independent play. It was like night and day from our previous childcare experiences.

We have been there for a year now, and it is not just our favorite childcare facility in Vancouver, it is one of our favorite places in Vancouver, period. Our daughter comes home excited about what she learned and what she explored every day. Her teachers, Miss Shasta and Miss Tracy are kind, attentive, and endlessly positive. The director of the school, Miss Kathy is one of the most thoughtful, reflective, and compassionate people I know. She runs a truly special program.

When my husband and I talk about our experience with KidSpace, the one thing we repeatedly say is, “I can’t believe this place isn’t at the top of the search results when you look for preschools. I can’t believe our good fortune in them having space for our daughter!”

Jennifer McIntyre

Opened Up a World

Kidspace was absolutely instrumental in my daughter’s growth. Her first language was Vietnamese when we enrolled and yesterday when I said it was very windy outside she said, “No, Papa, it’s blustery!”

This staff is all in on student-centered learning and the arts, crafts, and activities are just next level compared to other preschools. They’ve opened up a world in my daughters mind and we are so grateful to have found this place.

If there was a sixth star rating they’d get it. Worth every penny. Thank you

Scott Million

Perfect Fit

A little over three years ago when we first walked through the doors of KIDSPACE, we knew we’d found our fit. We’ve watched our son grow so much through his Chickadee, Bluebird, and Robin years.

KIDSPACE became home. And the amenities aren’t just limited to the high ceilings, fantastic gym, whimsical playground, and classrooms packed full of the best math, science, sensory, music, building blocks, table toy/manipulatives, libraries, and art centers. No, what makes a house a home is love. The teachers and staff have loved us all like family and we feel the same way. We couldn’t have chosen a better place to lay the foundation for our son’s education.

Katie Scot

Awesome Teachers

After visiting 6 different preschools in the area, we chose kidspace. They work with an in depth curriculum which is suited for the age group. They provide essential social skills and most importantly, the awesome teachers provide and loving and safe environment. Kathy, the owner is an experienced educator and runs a superb school. This school is truly the highest quality you will find. My son has grown by leaps and bounds in all areas in the two years he has been here.

Valerie Jones

Getting Out Energy Through Play

“My son, who is an only child and pretty introverted is absolutely LOVING Kidspace. It’s only day 4 as I write this review, and he goes 3x per week and I think he wishes he could go more! He is already learning so much, and thriving. The space truly nurtures his natural athletic ability, so that was a very important factor for us when choosing a preschool. He thinks the gym at Kidspace is his own American Ninja Warrior training space, so that’s pretty funny and awesome for us because he’s actually tired at night. He can really get out all that energy he has through play, but also learn so much about social skills and communicating his emotions, etc. They spend a lot of time outside and that’s so important! I highly recommend Kidspace.”

Meagan Hope

Well-rounded Education

“We have had two kids attend here and both have truly excelled when entering kindergarten thanks to KIDSPACE. They were always excited to go attend, even after 2.5 years! The staff is educated, and they teach in a wonderful, creative environment that is built on an excellent curriculum. They also go beyond that to teach manners, feelings, and basic life and self-managing skills. Most importantly, they do this because they are passionate to teach, and you can tell that. It has been a great experience for us and the kids!”

Kimberly Nelson

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