Explore our Facility Tour the School
We strive to provide an educational experience which helps each child develop to his or her full potential in a safe, fun, and nurturing environment.
What's Happening
January 30th-31st - Kindergarten Readiness Screenings
February 17th-20th - School closed for February Recess
April 6th - School closed for Good Friday & Easter
April 9th-13th - Easter Recess
FAQs Common Questions & Answers
Q: What ages do you serve? A: We offer preschool for children ages 2 -5 years of age that age potty trained and can benefit from our program.
Q: Where is the school located? A: Our address is: 30322 Via Con Dios in Rancho Santa Margarita Pkwy, CA 92688. The two major cross streets are Avenida de las Flores and Santa Margarita Pkwy.
Q: What is your teacher/child ratio? A: There are 14-15 children in each room with a teacher and teacher's aide, making our ratio a 1-7.
Q: How do I contact you? A: You can visit or write to us at the address above, or call us at (949) 858-0646.
Q: Where can I get a tuition schedule? A: We have several schedules available ranging from 2 half days a week to 5 full time days a week. For a complete list of schedules and tuition please see the Tuition tab at the top of this page.
Q: How long have you been in business and how long have your teachers worked at the school? A: S.C.C was started in 1983. We were first located off El Toro road in Trabuco Canyon. We moved to R.S.M. in 1988 and opened the school in Feb. of 1989. Most of our staff has worked here at S.C.C for over 10 years.
Q: What is your Federal Tax Identification number for my tax filing purposes? A: Our tax ID # is 93-0782055.
Q: What is your staff training or education? A: Our staff are certified through the State of California Commission of Teaching Credentialing. Our teachers have had teaching experience and training prior to becoming a teacher at SCC. All staff has current C.P.R. and First Aid training certificates.
Q: Do you hold parent teacher conferences? A: Yes, we meet with parents in Oct. and May, but you are welcome to request a conference at any time during the school year. In addition to our developmental observation we observe here, you will have the opportunity to have your child screened for kindergarten readiness by Chancy and Bruce Educational Resources if you would like to.
Q: What is an NAEYC Accredited school? A : The National Association for the Education of Young Children ( NAEYC ) has been working for over 50 years to define and promote quality educational programs for young children. Their collaborative efforts involve literally thousands of stakeholders- including policymakers, researchers, administrators, teachers, parents, professors and validators to name a few. They work together to set standards that define what a quality program for children should be. Our school goes through the accreditation process every few years to keep current on information relating to children and families.
Q: Is the school a part of Community Lutheran Church A: Yes, we are an extension of Community Lutheran Church. Our school is considered a part of their community outreach program and we incorporate Christian values into our everyday program. We have chapel once a week in the mornings where children sing songs, have story time and learn about the love of our Lord. In addition, we incorporate prayer daily at snack and circle times in the classrooms.
Q: What is your discipline policy? A : Young children are socially immature. One of the reasons people send their child to preschool is to develop better social skills. If a child becomes upset or is having trouble getting along, our staff will use this as an opportunity to help the child learn appropriate ways to express their feelings in a positive manner.
Q: Do you offer a lunch bunch program? A : Yes for a small additional fee you can pack a lunch and have your child stay from 11:30-12:30. Lunch Bunch is offered Mon-Friday on most regular school days.
Q: Can we stop by for a tour anytime? A: You are always welcome to stop by; however it is best to call and make an appointment so you are assured that someone can help you. Touring the school is usually done in the mornings at 9:15.
Q: Why do I need to send my child to preschool? A: Young children first and foremost need to develop social and emotional skills in order to be successful learners and have continued success in life. The number one skill that must be in place for successful entry into kindergarten is social and emotional stability. Preschool allows your child the opportunity to mature and develop social skills that will last a lifetime. Allowing your child to interact with their peers in a controlled and safe environment will help them to develop; self-confidence, problem solving skills, cooperation and collaboration skills, independence and a sense of self and others. Preschool allows this and so much more for children to experience. What children experience at; home with siblings and parents, at school with friends and teachers, or with sports groups and other activities, all contribute to developing the whole child.
Q: How will you teach my child to be ready for kindergarten? A: We provide an environment that supports children’s' learning. Young children learn through their senses. Kindergarten readiness consists of several different motor skills that need to be in place before more formal kinds of learning can happen.Listed below you will find skills that are needed for success in kindergarten. These areas of development should be at about a 5 years 6 month age level for success without struggling in class. Remember developmental levels are different than chronological age. We offer parents the opportunity to have their child receive a developmental screening prior to them entering kindergarten. Listed below are the skills we base our curriculum on and are the areas that will be screened for kindergarten readiness.
- Gross Motor
- Fine Motor
- Auditory Discrimination
- Auditory Memory
- Visual Discrimination
- Visual Memory
- Receptive Language
- Expressive Language
- Comprehension & Reasoning
The level of these skills will increase with maturity and age. These abilities along with social and emotional maturity will determine kindergarten readiness.
Q: Ways Parents Can Participate? A: We have a variety of ways parents can volunteer at our school. The help and support of parents is vital to our school's philosophy. We need parents to help with; classroom preparation, collecting materials, taking pictures, substituting, office support, room mom/dad responsibilities, e-mail list updates, and a variety of chair positions to help organize parent volunteers. Volunteer forms are passed out in the beginning of the school year. Sign-ups for positions are also available on our orientation days.
Q: Ways we Communicate? A:
- Monthly School Newsletter
- Parent Orientation
- Parent Conferences
- Information Posted in Foyer
- Back To School Night
- Open House
- Open Door Policy
- Parent Boards Outside Classrooms
- Guest Speakers
- E-Mails
- Lesson Plans
Q: Other programs available at S.C.C. A: In addition to our preschool program we offer other enrichment classes on campus. These classes are offered after morning preschool from 11:30-12:15.
- Ballet and Tap
- Spanish
- Ball sports
There is an additional charge and prices vary depending on the program you choose.
Emergency Information Emergency Procedures for Parents
The following is a set of guidelines and helpful hints as to what to do in case of a disaster. No one can predict exactly what will happen if and when a disaster should strike. Each situation is unique and active measures should be taken according to their needs.
- First and foremost, STAY CALM. It is not the end of the world. Whatever happens, be glad it is not worse. Keep a sense of control and calmness. This message must be reflected to the children at all times.
- No teacher may leave the facility until the person in charge dismisses them.
- Each room has an emergency disaster plan posted that delegates jobs to help get organized . This protocol will be in affect until 3:00 PM. Daycare staff will need to evaluate the situation and designate jobs amongst themselves. The afternoon lead teacher will be in charge until the Director can get there or until the last child is picked up.
- If an earthquake occurs while your child is at school, please stay calm. One good thing about Rancho Santa Margarita is that we are one of the few places in California that is not situated on some kind of fault line. We may feel shaking but we are on solid bedrock.
- If you are not able to pick up your child and you need someone else to get them we will not release your child to any persons not listed on your authorization form in your child’s file. REMEMBER you may not be able to call because phone lines often get tied up, even cell lines can go down, so please remember to keep your child’s files updated with current phone numbers and contacts. If an authorized person does pick up your child, we will have them write down on the back of the sign-out sheet where they are taking your child and a phone number where they can be reached.
- If for some reason we do need to evacuate, the Red Cross has identified all public schools as evacuation centers. Listen to the radio for details on where and when schools may have been evacuated. If circumstances necessitate the evacuation of our school, we will go to Rancho Santa Margarita Intermediate School, located at the corner of Santa Margarita Parkway and Alma Aldea. R.S.M. Intermediate is equipped with a generator for emergencies. We will leave signs in the front windows and/or use an easel out by the driveway, telling parents where we have gone.
In reality I do not see us ever needing to be evacuated unless something happens to our building. We have extensive emergency supplies here on campus. Emergency procedures advise having three days worth of supplies on hand, we have that and more. Also our Church is considered an evacuation site and The Red Cross has listed our location as a place to set up a Red Cross station if necessary.