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Overview
  • Programs
  • Our Team
  • Accreditation
  • Reviews

Cadence Academy Preschool, Ankeny is a NAEYC Accredited daycare provider and private preschool that provides loving care and early education programs for infants through pre-kindergarten. Preschool is a wonderful time for intellectual, social-emotional, and physical growth and we offer a skill-based curriculum that is proven to prepare young children for success in kindergarten!

Preschool Programs

Ready for Kindergarten!

Kindergarten Club LogoWe want to make the most of your child’s first educational experiences. Our Ascend Curriculum helps children progressively build valuable skill sets in subjects like Literacy, Mathematics, Science & Sensory, Physical Fitness, and Creative Expression every month. These learning experiences start in our Infant and Toddler classrooms, progress through our preschool programs, and are later fine-tuned just before kindergarten in Kindergarten Club!

We work closely with the Ankeny Community School District’s kindergarten program. Understanding the local school district’s kindergarten readiness expectations helps us in ensuring that your child is ready for the transition to elementary school.

5 Star Rating & NAEYC Accreditation

Iowa Department of Human Services LogoThe Quality Rating System (QRS) was created by the Iowa Department of Human Services to raise the quality of child care in Iowa and to educate parents about their options for care. Cadence Academy Preschool, Ankeny has a 5 star rating, which is the highest rating a preschool center can earn.

NAEYC Accreditation LogoOur preschool has also earned accreditation through the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). NAEYC Accreditation requires us to meet standards across 10 different areas and helps families make better choices as they’re looking for a new daycare center or preschool.

Parent Communication

Communication and family involvement are keys to our center’s success. Our caring teachers are available both mornings and afternoons for face-to-face conversations and by phone throughout the day. We maintain an open door policy and welcome our families to visit their children at any time. We also encourage everyone to participate in the family-friendly events we hold at our preschool throughout the year!

Our Team

Kristi Parsons

Kristi Parsons

School Director

I have been with Cadence Academy Preschool in Ankeny since 1998. I have my Early Childhood Education Degree. I am proud of the loving care that we provide to our families. Looking forward to you being a part of our Cadence Academy family.

Amie Littlefield

Amie Littlefield

Assistant Director

Hi, my name is Amie Littlefield! I am originally from Carroll, IA, and graduated with my Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education from Marshalltown Community College in May of 2010. In July of 2000 I started with Cadence Academy shortly after moving to Ankeny. I began teaching in the Transition Classroom with becoming the classroom’s Lead Teacher in 2001. After 17 years in the Transition Room, I began my new adventure with becoming the Lead Teacher in the Younger Preschool Classroom. I became the Assistant Director in May of 2022. I am married to my wonderful husband, John, whom I met in high school. We are the proud parents to our 2 wonderful sons, Nicholas, and Colin. I also have a Morkie, named Molly, who I enjoy playing with. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, watching movies, and cooking. I am an outgoing person who enjoys learning new things especially in ways that I can better myself and to continually grow. I am fortunate to be a part of Cadence Academy and the families and children we serve.

Miss. Elissa

Miss. Elissa

Teacher

Hello! I have my Associate’s degree in Special Education in 2021. I also have earned my Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education. In my spare time I enjoy baking, painting and spending time with my family and friends.

Miss. Allie

Miss. Allie

Teacher

Hello!  My name is Allie and I graduated in May 2020 with my Associates degree in Early Childhood Education.  I have enjoyed working with many ages of children, but the Older Infant age is my favorite.  I love to interact with them while motivating them to achieve their next milestones.  I am excited to partner with the parents as we watch these children thrive.

Accreditations

NAEYC Accreditation

Every child deserves access to high-quality early learning experiences. NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children) has set 10 standards for early childhood programs that can help families make the right choice when they are looking for a child care center, preschool, or kindergarten. The standards and criteria are also the foundation of the NAEYC Accreditation system for early childhood programs. To earn NAEYC Accreditation, schools must go through an extensive self-study and quality-improvement process, followed by an on-site visit by NAEYC Assessors to verify and ensure that the program meets each of the ten program standards, and hundreds of corresponding individual criteria. NAEYC-accredited programs are always prepared for unannounced quality-assurance visits during their accreditation term, which lasts for five years. In the 30 years since NAEYC Accreditation was established, it has become a widely recognized sign of high-quality early childhood education. More than 7,000 programs are currently accredited by NAEYC—less than 10 percent of all child care centers, preschools, and kindergartens nationally achieve this recognition.

Reviews from Parents

4.8 Rating based on 83 Reviews Leave A Review
Amanda • Google
One of the scariest things I've experienced as a parent is dropping off one of my kids for the first time to a new place where he will spend many hours, eating meals when he has food allergies. The Cadence Academy in Ankeny has been the best place where I can go to work and not be worried whether he's in good hands. The teachers are amazing. They are interactive with the kids, center activities that are perfect for the age groups, work with parents for any special needs a child may have (like his list of food allergies), and are truly happy to see the kids and be around them. They work on practicing practical skills appropriate for each age group and working along side parents where my little one has been learning so much. The best part is that he is happy when he's dropped off during the day, happy when he's picked up, and I feel relaxed throughout my work day where I don't have to worry so much as I know he is in the best hands possible.
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Kim Lukenbill • Google
I definitely will recommend Cadence! It's more than just a school it's more like a family. Each staff member is very caring and loves each child that walks in. Kristi and Amie are always there for their staff members and will stand by you no matter what. I'm so glad to be working at Cadence! The families are amazing as well!
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Alexana Niayeshpour • Google
Cadence Academy in Ankeny has been such a blessing to find for our family! When we were first looking for preschools, they made us feel very supported and welcome right from the start. Kristi and Amie worked with our family’s strange schedule so that we could get the childcare we needed. They continue to be supportive of our family’s needs, and are truly focused on what is most important - the child’s success. All of the staff at Cadence are truly dedicated to early childhood education and helping the children in their care thrive. As my family has no other family in the area, it was paramount to find childcare we trust in, and we’re lucky to have found it. I highly recommend Cadence as a school to put your trust in with your children, as we will continue to do!
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katie mchone • Google
Cadence Academy has been the best thing for not only our son, but our family! The teachers and staff are so kind and genuinely care about the little ones. The center is also so clean and tidy! We have so much peace of mind leaving our son at Cadence each day and he’s learning so much! Our son warmed up to the teachers and staff so quickly and he loves his days at the center with all his little friends. We will always recommend to future and current parents looking!
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Cadence Academy Preschool

Ankeny, IA

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Preparing Your Child To THRIVE

Your child is unique, and we are happy to provide an educational, fun, and nurturing environment where each child can develop and thrive in order to build a bright future with unlimited possibilities.