Early PreK and PreK

Fueling Your Child’s Natural Desire to Learn

Kaune is a warm and welcoming place for children 0–5 years old. Our educators start with a foundation built on relationships and social-emotional learning. We support children in developing the skills they need to work, play, and interact with other members of our school community. Inspired by the Reggio Emilia Approach® to learning, educators create classroom environments that promote curiosity, exploration, and discovery—igniting a lifelong love of learning. Our program is nationally accreditation through the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), which ensures programs meet ten standards of high-quality early childhood education.

Early Learning Center at Kaune Philosophy

We Believeeach child is unique in their experiences, strengths, and perspectives of the world around them. 
We Recognizethat a child’s family is a critical component in their development.
We Engagechildren by speaking their language.  Our Dual Language classrooms aim to provide instruction in both English and Spanish evenly throughout the day. 
We EmbraceAnti-Bias curriculum which celebrates all differences. Children are encouraged to be active and curious in their own learning and development.
We Careabout creativity. Our classrooms are bright, spacious and include dramatic play, science, blocks, a writing center, book/library area, creative expression and art, math, manipulatives, music, sensory enrichment, and hands-on exploration. All children play outdoors on age-appropriate playgrounds which incorporate organic materials and nature play.
We Are Inspiredby the Reggio Emilia Approach®, which recognizes children’s natural desire to learn through discovery, experimentation, and exploration. Our educators work alongside children as they build upon these interests to develop classroom projects and areas of study.
We Knowthat when a child’s joyful curiosity is ignited early, that flame endures even when they are challenged. Valued as strong, competent, and resilient learners, young children who come out of our Reggio Emilia-inspired program emerge prepared for success in school and life.

Application Details and Deadlines

The application for our PreK / Early PreK Program is currently closed while we conduct the lottery and update our waitlists for the 2025-26 program year. The application will reopen in August 2025 for families that would like to be added on the waitlist.

One-third of all available spaces will be filled by priority applicants. After one-third of all spaces are filled, the remaining applicants within the priority pool will be added to the rest of the applications for the final lottery. Priority status DOES NOT guarantee a spot in our program.

Priority status is applied to:

· Children/Families who are currently participating in our programs and have been active for at least one year, such as Great Start, Home Visiting, Bridges to Opportunity, or Family, Friends & Neighbors

· Children who have a sibling who previously attended the Early Learning Center at Kaune

The lottery will be drawn the week of April 7, 2025. Families will receive notification of the lottery results by April 30, 2025. Each family is responsible for keeping their contact information current.

If your child is selected to attend Kaune, you will be contacted by phone at the number submitted on your application.

If your child is NOT selected to attend Kaune, they will be placed on the wait list and you will be sent a letter by mail.

Staff will attempt to contact a family twice. After two attempts with no response, staff will note that the family has declined enrollment and will not call again.

Note: A new application is needed for every school year. If your child is placed on the wait list, you must complete a new application for the following school year to be considered for the lottery.

Contact Us: prek@growingupnm.org or (505) 303-3950

For the Infant and Toddler Care application CLICK HERE

The application for our PreK / Early PreK is currently closed while we conduct the lottery and update our waitlists for the 2025-26 program year. The application will reopen in August 2025 for families that would like to be added on the waitlist.

“In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.”

Family Handbooks

PreK Family Handbook 2024-25 EnglishDownload
Spanish_PreK Family Handbook 2024-25Download