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Why Families in Tucson, AZ Choose Our Daycare and Preschool
Welcome to Cadence Academy Preschool (formerly Mini-Skool Early Learning Center) in the Craycroft neighborhood of Tucson, Arizona, where little kids play with big ideas and have fun learning every day! We offer a unique, research-directed curriculum for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers, as well as special programs for school-age kids.
Parents and children love the warm, homey environment at Cadence Academy Preschool. Craycroft’s smiling teachers and staff greet families each morning, even comforting little ones who aren’t ready to part from their mommies and daddies for the day.
Classrooms are cozy and inviting, offering colorful, appealing, and age-appropriate toys and equipment. Perhaps kids love the playgrounds the most because the world around them is often as vivid as their burgeoning imaginations. Children enjoy our outdoor play areas and the unique experience of watching aircrafts fly near the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, adding excitement and curiosity to their day.
A Childcare Center Built on Family and Community
Family involvement is an important part of our daycare and preschool community. As a small, close-knit early learning center, we believe families are an integral part of the program and encourage parents to actively participate in their child’s educational journey. Parents have opportunities to see their children’s teachers daily and to participate in the program as their schedules allow. This close relationship enhances each child’s personal growth and achievement and promotes a secure and safe environment. Communication between teacher and families adds to each child’s learning environment and offers support for continued success.
Early Childhood Programs Offered
Cadence Academy Preschool offers a variety of childcare and early education programs designed to support children at every stage of development. We have programs for every child, and our team can help you choose the right fit for your family.
- Infant Daycare: A nurturing, home-like environment where infants receive individualized care, sensory experiences, and loving support during their earliest stages of development.
- Toddler Daycare: An active learning environment where curious toddlers develop independence, communication skills, and confidence through exploration and guided play.
- Preschool: A play-based learning environment where children strengthen school-readiness skills, build confidence, and develop a lifelong love of learning.
- Pre-Kindergarten: A structured, engaging learning environment where children build the academic, social, and emotional skills needed for a confident transition to kindergarten and beyond.
- School-Age Program: A supportive before- and after-school program that provides homework assistance, enriching activities, and opportunities for children to build friendships and explore new interests.
- Summer Camp Programs: An adventure-filled camp experience where children engage in hands-on STEAM activities, team challenges, creative projects, and exciting discoveries all summer long.
Our Approach to Early Childhood Education
Ascend Curriculum
Our Ascend Curriculum supports the academic, physical, emotional, and creative development of every child. It includes engaging activities in areas such as Cultural Understanding, Baby Signs, Literacy, Mathematics, and Technology.
We believe children learn best when experiences are tailored to their interests. Our teachers personalize learning activities and use small group instruction to better support each child’s individual needs and developmental stage, including infants and toddlers who benefit from early exposure to our curriculum.
Kind Child
A cornerstone of our preschool curriculum is our Kind Child program. The goal of Kind Child is to promote happiness, build positive friendships, and support strong social-emotional development in every child. Through this program, we introduce valuable character traits such as Responsibility, Thankfulness, Sharing, and a Positive Self-Image. We have found that when we attend to the emotional well-being of each child in our care, we also strengthen our school!
What Makes Our Preschool and Daycare Unique
Cadence Academy Preschool has been preparing children in the Tucson area for success in primary school and beyond for over 20 years by providing consistent daycare and preschool care in the Craycroft community. Many of our teachers and staff have been with us for more than 10 years, bringing consistency, experience, and long-term relationships that help children feel secure and supported throughout their early learning years in Tucson.
With intentional student-to-teacher ratios, every child receives individualized attention and encouragement, allowing them to build confidence, develop independence, and progress at their own pace. Since so many families opt to enroll all of their kids in our early learning center, we even offer a sibling discount to show our appreciation of their loyalty to us. With a loving and caring staff ready to embrace you and your child, we look forward to you becoming a part of our family.
More About Our Craycroft Location
Cadence Academy Preschool is located on the central-east side of the city in the Craycroft area. Our address is 1702 South Craycroft Road, Tucson, AZ, 85711. You’ll find our school in between 22nd and 29th streets. Nearby neighborhoods include Freedom Park and Myers Ganoung. We’re also very close to the Main Gate of the Davis Monthon Air Force Base and the housing communities that serve it.
Before & After School Care for Families of Tucson, AZ
Families seeking dependable before and after school care in Tucson, AZ can count on Cadence Academy Preschool Craycroft. We provide transportation support and serve students attending schools within the Craycroft Neighborhood, including:
- Meyers Elementary School – 5000 E Andrew St, Tucson, AZ 85711
- Bonillas Elementary School – 4757 E Winsett St, Tucson, AZ 85711
- Erikson Elementary School– 6750 E. Stella Rd., Tucson, AZ 85730
- Wheeler Elementary School – 1818 S. Avenida del Sol, Tucson, AZ 85710
- CRS Charter School – 1844 S. Alvernon Way, Tucson, AZ 85711
Schedule a Tour of Our Tucson Preschool and Daycare
We invite you to schedule a tour to see our classrooms, meet our teachers, and learn more about our programs and find the right fit for your child.
Programs Offered
Our Team
Vivian Don Pena
School Director
Vivian Pena is a lifelong Tucson native and experienced childhood education leader with more than 20 years of dedicated service in the childcare field. She has been part of the Craycroft community since 1992 and has served in a variety of roles supporting young learners in Tucson, including work with Tucson Unified School District. Vivian has completed extensive Early Childhood Education training and continues to expand her professional knowledge through obtaining a certificate in Early Childhood Education to better support preschool and daycare programs.
Vivian brings both deep professional expertise and firsthand parenting experience as a mother of four boys and grandmother of thirteen. She enjoys spending time with family, and most of all spending time with her grandchildren. She loves hearing the sound of playing children with lots of laughter and giggles. This reflects her passion of working in the childcare field and commitment to providing a safe, nurturing daycare and preschool environment to the Tucson community. She is passionate about building strong relationships with families and welcomes new and prospective parents to visit the Craycroft campus to experience the school community firsthand.
Heather Samaniego
Assistant Director
Heather Samaniego serves as the Assistant Director at Cadence Academy Preschool in Tucson at Craycroft, where she is dedicated to creating a nurturing, high-quality daycare and preschool care environment for every child. Heather is a proud mother of four. Her oldest is pursuing a career as a Physician’s Assistant in Utah, her second is studying Fisheries and Marine Science at the University of Arizona, her third is studying Aerospace Engineering at Arizona State University, and her youngest is currently attending a local high school. As a mother, Heather brings both professional expertise and personal experience to her role, giving her a deep understanding of the needs of children at different stages of development. Outside of work, Heather enjoys spending time with her family, visiting the beach, reading, and being creative. She is passionate about working with children and doing her part to raise students to be amazing humans.
Rosalyn Turner
Teacher
Rosalyn Turner has been a dedicated preschool teacher since 1997, serving children and families at our Craycroft location in Tucson, Arizona. With nearly 30 years of experience in daycare and childcare, she has helped numerous young children learn, grown, and prepare for future success. One of her greatest joys is seeing former students return as adults and share their accomplishments and gratitude for caring for them as young children, with some even having children of their own now.
As a mother of four and grandmother of three, Rosalyn brings both personal and professional experience to her role, she is passionate about creating a welcoming preschool and daycare environment where children can build confidence and develop important early learning skills. Rosalyn is proud to support Tucson families through trusted, high-quality childcare. Outside of work, she enjoys attending church, reading her Bible, listening to Christian music, doing crossword puzzles, and drawing.
What are the hours of Craycroft?
We are open Monday through Friday from 6:00 AM to 6:30 PM, providing full-day care to support working families.
What ages are accepted at Craycroft?
We offer programs for children from 6 weeks through 12 years old.
What will my child be learning?
Children learn through a skill-based curriculum that supports development across literacy, math, science, physical fitness, creative expression, social-emotional growth, cultural understanding, technology, and language. Learning is guided by teachers through intentional, age-appropriate activities that build skills step by step while supporting each child’s individual growth. This approach builds confidence, independence, and kindergarten readiness through engaging, hands-on experiences.
How do you ensure safety and security?
We prioritize safety through secure entry systems with individual access codes, trained staff certified in First Aid and CPR, and routine safety drills and emergency preparedness plans.
How do I schedule a tour at Craycroft?
You can schedule a tour online using our self-service booking system with at least 24 hours’ notice so we can prepare for your visit and ensure the best experience for your family.
How much is tuition at Craycroft?
Tuition at Cadence Academy Preschool Craycroft varies based on your child’s age, selected program, and attendance schedule. Please contact us for the most accurate and up-to-date pricing information.
Reviews from Parents
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Cadence Academy Preschool, Craycroft
Tucson, AZ
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