Susys Family Childcare Daycares and Preschools near me

Transitional Kindergarten (TK) Preschool Program in La Quinta

On a Sunday morning at the Old Town La Quinta Farmers Market, a mom stopped me near the fruit stands. Her son turned four in October. The school district told her he had missed the kindergarten cutoff by a few weeks, and she looked worried. “So what do I do with him for a whole year?” she asked. I hear that question a lot from La Quinta parents. The answer is Transitional Kindergarten, and it might be the best thing that ever happened to your fall or winter baby.

Transitional Kindergarten, or TK, is the gentle first step between preschool and real kindergarten. It was built for kids who are almost ready but still a little young. At Susy’s Family Childcare, our Transitional Kindergarten program in La Quinta gives these children a full year to grow, play, and get strong before they walk into a big elementary school. We are based just up Washington Street in Bermuda Dunes, minutes from La Quinta Cove and Old Town, so plenty of families from around the Santa Rosa Mountains drive over to us.

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Transitional Kindergarten (TK) Program

Here is what makes TK special. A four-year-old is not a baby, but he is not a big kid yet either. He can count, he can sing, he can tell you a long story about a lizard he saw on the trail. But sitting still for a whole day, raising a hand, waiting a turn, tying a shoe. Those things take practice. Our Transitional Kindergarten program in La Quinta gives him that practice in a place that still feels safe and small.

We follow the same idea the Desert Sands Unified schools use for TK, but we do it in a home, not a giant hallway. Kids learn letters and sounds, numbers up to twenty, shapes, colors, and how to be a good friend. We do it with songs, blocks, sand, paint, and lots of talking. When a child leaves our TK year, he walks into kindergarten already knowing how a school day works. That head start shows up fast in his reading and his confidence.

Because Miss Susy holds Miss Susy’s degree in Early Childhood Education, every activity has a real reason behind it. Nothing is busy work. Even the play by the water table is teaching your child how to share, guess, and solve a problem.

A Bridge From Preschool to Kindergarten

TK works best when it sits on top of a good preschool year. Many of our TK children come straight from our preschool program for ages 3 to 5, so they already know our routines and our faces. That means no scary first day. They just keep growing.

If your child is a little older or already reads a few words, our Pre-K kindergarten readiness program may be the better fit. TK and Pre-K look alike, but TK is aimed at the youngest kids, the ones with birthdays in the fall and early winter. We help you pick the right one for your child, not just the one that fills a seat.

School Readiness You Can See

Parents in La Quinta ask us all the time, “Will my kid actually be ready?” Yes, and you will be able to see it. We build school readiness through cognitive development and school readiness activities every single day. Kids sort, match, count, and follow two-step directions. They learn to finish a task and clean up after. These are the exact skills a kindergarten teacher hopes to see in September.

We also grow their words. La Quinta is full of families who speak both English and Spanish, and we love that. Through early literacy and language development, your child builds a bigger vocabulary in a warm, bilingual room. A child with more words is a child who reads sooner and speaks up in class.

Small Groups, Big Attention

The reason our TK year works is simple. We keep our groups small. Your child is not one of thirty. He is one of a few. When a four-year-old is having a hard morning, someone notices right away and helps. When he masters writing his name, someone cheers. That kind of close care is hard to find once kids move into a large campus, so families grab it while they can.

Our little ones also move their bodies every day. Just like families burn off energy at Fritz Burns Park with its playground and pool, our TK kids run, climb, and play outside in our safe backyard. Fresh air and big movement help young brains focus when it is time to sit and learn.

Preschool Made for La Quinta Families

We know this city because we live near it. We know the drop-off rush on Washington Street. We know parents grab a quick dinner at Stuft Pizza Bar & Grill in Old Town after a long workday, or a weekend lunch at The La Quinta Cliffhouse up on Highway 111. We know shopping runs end at Washington Park or the Target on Highway 111. Our hours and our care are built for real working desert families, not for a brochure.

When you visit La Quinta Museum or walk the cobblestones in Old Town, you feel how this town values roots and community. We feel the same about your child. TK is one short year, but it sets the tone for every school year after it. We want to get it right with you.

If you are still weighing your options, take a look at all our daycare and preschool programs and see where your child fits best. Then come meet us in person.

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Have Questions We Have Answers (FAQ)

What is Transitional Kindergarten and how is it different from kindergarten?

TK is a first year of a two-year kindergarten path. It is made for the youngest children, usually the ones who turn four or five in the fall or early winter and just miss the kindergarten cutoff. It moves slower than kindergarten and uses more play, so young kids grow strong before the big classroom.

How old does my child need to be for your TK program in La Quinta?

Our TK program fits children who are around four to five years old, especially fall and winter birthdays. Every child is different, so we meet your little one first and help you choose between TK, preschool, and Pre-K.

Do you serve families outside of La Quinta?

Yes. We are in Bermuda Dunes, a short drive from La Quinta, Indio, Palm Desert, Indian Wells, and the rest of the Coachella Valley. Many La Quinta families choose us because we sit right between home and the freeway.

Will TK really get my child ready for kindergarten?

That is the whole point. Your child learns letters, numbers, and how a school day flows, plus how to share, wait, and finish a task. Kindergarten teachers can spot a child who had a strong TK year, and so will you.

Is your program bilingual?

Yes. We speak both English and Spanish, which helps our La Quinta kids build strong language skills in both. It also helps our Spanish-speaking families feel at home from day one.

Building Confidence , Celebrating Growth: Join Us for a Tour

Safe, Nurturing, and Reliable: Feel at ease knowing your child is in a secure and loving environment where they can learn and grow every day.
Customized Learning: We assess each child’s developmental stage and create an individualized lesson plan focusing on the skills they need most.
You deserve a partner in your child’s growth who truly understands their unique needs and helps them flourish.
Milestone Celebrations: Create small recognition events for achievements like potty training success, first words, or academic progress to boost children’s confidence and involve parents in the celebration.