Welcome to Carlisle Community School District’s Little Cats Preschool! We are thrilled to partner with you during these important early years of your child’s development. At Little Cats Preschool, we provide a warm, welcoming, and inclusive learning environment where every child can thrive through purposeful play, nurturing relationships, and high-quality instruction. 

As part of Carlisle Elementary, our preschool program is built upon the district’s commitment to character, service, and excellence in everything we do. We recognize that early childhood education lays the foundation for a lifetime of learning. With certified educators, engaging curriculum, and strong connections between school and home, we focus on fostering the whole child—socially, emotionally, physically, and academically. Whether this is your family’s first experience with school or one of many, we are honored you have entrusted us with your child’s early learning journey. We look forward to building a strong partnership with your family and creating joyful, meaningful experiences for your little Wildcat.

Mission, Philosophy, and Goals

Our Mission: Demonstrating character, service, and excellence in everything we do.

Our Vision: Educating learners today to become leaders tomorrow.

Our Philosophy: At Little Cats Preschool, we believe that young children learn best through active exploration and meaningful experiences in a safe, caring environment. Guided by Iowa’s Quality Preschool Program Standards, our classrooms are intentionally structured to support each child’s unique needs, developmental stages, and learning styles. Our philosophy embraces the whole child—valuing social-emotional development alongside early academic skills. We support children's curiosity, creativity, and independence while fostering collaboration and communication. We believe learning happens through relationships—between children and teachers, between peers, and through strong family partnerships.

Our Goals

Aligned with the district’s strategic plan, our goals are rooted in the following core values and objectives:

• Character: We guide children in learning to make respectful, responsible choices and to develop empathy, kindness, and self-regulation through daily routines and social interactions.

• Service: We create a community where children help others, build friendships, and contribute positively to their classroom and school environment.

• Excellence: We maintain high expectations, use developmentally appropriate assessment tools, and provide individualized support so every child reaches their full potential.

• Community: We cultivate a sense of belonging by embracing family involvement, cultural diversity, and collaborative relationships between home, school, and the broader community.

Strategic Alignment

Our preschool programming supports the Carlisle Community School District’s strategic objectives by:

• Promoting safety and well-being through secure environments, structured routines, and nurturing relationships.

• Supporting student achievement through research-based curriculum, data-informed instruction, and individualized growth monitoring.

• Strengthening community engagement through home visits, family events, open communication, and inclusive decision-making opportunities.

Accreditation  

Carlisle Preschool adheres to the standards and criteria set forth under the Iowa Quality Preschool Program.  The standards and criteria are separated into ten categories as described below:

  1. Relationships

  2. Curriculum

  3. Teaching

  4. Assessment of Child Progress

  5. Health

  6. Teachers

  7.       Families

  8. Community Relationships

  9. Physical Environment

10.       Leadership and Management