Welcome Meet the Team »

The Maple Valley KinderCare has been serving the community for over 20 years. Center Director, Darla Whitsett, has been with the company for 24 years and manages a dedicated staff of 18 teachers, several have been with the company for over 15 years. District Manager, Kathy Duschel, has over 20 years experience working in early childhood education, 17 of which have been with Knowledge Universe. We serve 130 children ranging in age from infancy to 12 years. Approximately 22% of our families receive child care assistance from the state through the Working Connections Child Care program, which draws federal funding through the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG). In addition to our proprietary core curriculum, we offer Phonics, Music, Cooking, Math, Spanish and Reading Adventures enrichment programs and Summer Camp. We are also proud to serve children from Foster Care programs and Maple Vine placement programs. - Darla Comstock-Whitsett, Center Director

Programs Offered

• Infant Programs (6 Weeks – 1 Year)

  Infant Programs
  (6 Weeks–1 Year)

  Babies grow and learn every day. Our goal is to provide a safe and nurturing "home away from home" where babies can explore and make new discoveries. We know that learning through play is extremely valuable at this age and our Early Foundations® Infant program is designed to give babies the skills that will serve as the building blocks for a lifetime of learning.

• Toddler Programs (1 – 2 Years)

  Toddler Programs (1–2 Years)

  As toddlers develop friendships, self-esteem, and curiosity, our Early Foundations® Toddler program will help them explore their world in a safe and nurturing environment. Our unique curriculum is based on the philosophy that children learn best through experiences. So each day is filled with fun activities that excite and develop toddlers, giving them the comfort and confidence to speak those first few important words, as well as make their first friends.

• Preschool Programs (3 – 4 Years)

  Preschool Programs (3–4 Years)

  As preschoolers gain more self-esteem, they may feel ready to take on the world. Our Early Foundations® Preschool program enhances that confidence by providing activities to help children become problem solvers and lifelong learners. Through independent exploration, structured activities, and hands-on learning, children will work on early literacy, math, science, and social studies concepts. A healthy dose of running, jumping, and dancing keeps them active too.

• Prekindergarten Programs (4 – 5 Years)

  Prekindergarten Programs
  (4–5 Years)

  Prekindergartners are preparing for the adventure of a lifetime – school. And our Early Foundations Prekindergarten® program is designed to get them ready by teaching letters and words, math concepts, and valuable social skills. With small group instruction, independent play in an organized atmosphere, and whole-group activities, children will have all the right skills to hop, skip, and jump right into kindergarten.

• Private Kindergarten Programs
  (5–6 Years)

  Private Kindergarten Programs (5–6 Years)

  As children reach school age, our comprehensive full-day kindergarten program helps them explore, communicate, and create – all in a nurturing, small-class setting. Our team of expert educators has created a unique curriculum of reading, language, arts, math, science, and physical fitness that’s presented in a fun way to encourage a lifelong love of learning. Plus, our program is aligned with local and state elementary school standards, so children will be prepared to confidently enter first grade.

• Before and After School Programs
  (5–12 Years)

  Before and After School Programs (5–12 Years)

  Even after school's out for the day, children need to be engaged in a comfortable, yet stimulating environment. That's where our Catch the Wave® program comes in. This innovative before – and after-school program allows school-age children to balance learning and fun through a variety of experiences. From homework help to fun physical activities, our program is designed so that everyone goes home happy.

• Learning Adventures - Enrichment Programs
  • Math

    Math Adventures

    The Math Adventures enrichment program is designed to teach important mathematics concepts such as geometry, numbers, measurement, and probability. Your child will learn about length, height, and weight. He will learn about shapes and solids. He will learn how to add, subtract, multiply, and count money. Math is everywhere and giving your child every advantage now will add up to success later in life.

  • Music

    Music Adventures

    Ongoing research proves that early exposure to music helps children think, reason, create, and express themselves. Children will laugh and learn about rhythm, vocal melodies, and a variety of musical genres and instruments, which can lower stress and advance memory. Learning never sounded so good.

  • Phonics

    Phonics Adventures

    Set your child up for advanced success with literacy through phonics, the study of letters and sounds. Reader books, games, and activity cards help your child understand the basics of vowels and blending syllables, giving him confidence and command of language.

  • Reading

    Reading Adventures

    Reading Adventures enriches your child's learning about language by introducing him to vowels, common words, and creative writing. Posters, books, and activity cards help him improve his literacy skills while having fun with the turn of every new page.

  • Spanish

    Spanish Adventures

    Spanish Adventures provides young learners with a foundation for later success with the Spanish language. Music, games, children's Spanish literature, and other tools give children multiple opportunities to hear, practice, and see Spanish language for vocabulary and conversational development. Curriculum includes lessons on greetings, numbers, colors, animals, family, body parts and pets as well as how to get engage conversationally during common scenarios at home, a restaurant, or at the zoo. Qué pasa?

• Summer Programs (preschool, prekindergarten, and school-age)

  Summer Programs

  Twelve fun and unique weeks of camp, all summer long! From May through August, KinderCare offers awesome camps for pre-school, pre-k, and school-age kids. It's a great place to bring friends, and to meet new ones! We offer flexible scheduling options to meet the needs of busy families like yours, so join us for all 12 weeks or as many weeks as you like.

• Participating NACCRRA Center

  Participating NACCRRA Center

  KinderCare has partnered with the National Association of Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies (NACCRRA) in an effort to offer fee assistance for Active Duty military families and solutions to their child care needs when care at a Child Development Center on the installation is not available.

Upcoming Events View all »

• Summer Expedition Camp: Garden Adventures

  Garden Adventures Week 1
  
  Preschool & Prekindergarten Classroom:
  
  Monday June 24th - What We Know About Gardening?, Sorting Seeds;
  Tuesday June 25th - What Do Plants Need?, Wormeries;
  Wednesday June 26th - Mini Gardens, Vegetable Toss;
  Thursday June 27th - Self Watering Herb Gardens, Water Day (Preschool in AM, Prekindergarten in PM);
  Friday June 28th - Plantable Paper, Sun Tag
  
  
  School Age Classroom:
  
  Monday June 24th - Stepping Stones Garden Journal, Design our Edible Garden;
  Tuesday June 25th - Planning a Garden, Lunch At the Park;
  Wednesday June 26th - Watering Jugs, California Pizza Kitchen;
  Thursday June 27th - Garden Stories, Water Day;
  Friday June 28th - Gardengories, Vegetable Garden sandwich
  
  
  
  
  Garden Adventures Week 2
  
  Preschool & Prekindergarten Classroom:
  
  Monday July 1st - Plant Life Cycle, Garden Party Invitations;
  Tuesday July 2nd - Garden Friends, Butterfly Gardens;
  Wednesday July 3rd - How Do Plants Get Water?, Drawing in Soil;
  Thursday July 4th - CENTER CLOSED;
  Friday July 5th - Native Plants, Seed Balls
  
  
  School Age Classroom:
  
  Monday July 1st - Grass Heads, Parts of a Plant, Build our Edible Garden;
  Tuesday July 2nd - Geometric Garden Shapes, Garden Stories;
  Wednesday July 3rd - Celery Soak, Make Lavender Play Dough;
  Thursday July 4th - CENTER CLOSED;
  Friday July 5th - Dried Flower Art, Potato Tasting Read more

  Jun 24

• Summer Expedition Camp: Awesome Architects

  Awesome Architects Week 1
  
  Preschool & Prekindergarten Classroom:
  
  Monday July 8th - What We Know About Buildings and Construction, Cityscapes;
  Tuesday July 9th - Strong Walls, Human Arches;
  Wednesday July 10th - Marshmallow Structures, Ramps;
  Thursday July 11th - Building with Columns, Water Day;
  Friday July 12th - Building Skyscrapers, Frames
  
  
  School Age Classroom:
  
  Monday July 8th - Paper Bag Skylines;
  Tuesday July 9th - Famous Structures, Cardboard Arches;
  Wednesday July 10th - Newspaper Towers, Bowling at Snoqualmie;
  Thursday July 11th - Crispy Crunchy Pyramid, Water Day;
  Friday July 12th - Build a birdhouse, Fruit Salad
  
  
  
  
  Awesome Architects Week 2
  
  Preschool & Prekindergarten Classroom:
  
  Monday July 15th - Graham-cracker Dwellings, Testing Paper Strength;
  Tuesday July 16th - Creating Human Domes;
  Wednesday July 17th - London Bridge, What are Truss Bridges?;
  Thursday July 18th - Suspension Bridges, Water Day;
  Friday July 19th - What We Learned About Dwellings and Buildings?
  
  
  School Age Classroom:
  
  Monday July 15th - Triangle Tessellations, Build Our Very Own Car Wash;
  Tuesday July 16th - Toothpick Challenge, Paper Power;
  Wednesday July 17th - Inclined Planes, In House FT Pacific Science Center;
  Thursday July 18th - Sign Design, Bridge Cookies, Water Day;
  Friday July 19th - Sand Paper Art, Build Vegetable Vehicles Read more

  Jul 8

Nearby Centers View Map »

Languages Spoken

• English
• American Sign Language
• Spanish

Accreditation

• 

  We are very proud to say we are accredited through the National Association of Child Care Professionals. For more information about the NACCP accreditation please visit, www.naccp.org.