Your School
The first five years of life are an extremely important period of development for children and Cadence Academy Preschool, Urbandale is proud to offer NAEYC Accredited daycare services and preschool programs as well as kindergarten and school-age programs.
Our dedicated teachers and proprietary curriculum work hand-in-hand to help children reach their full potential during each developmental stage. We take an individualized approach to early childhood education and modify classroom activities so they fit the needs, interests, and current skill level of each child in our care.
We believe in creating a learning environment that extends beyond the classroom and we partner with our parents so that we can further encourage their child’s growth and development. We provide parents regular feedback on how their child is progressing towards important developmental milestones and we send out a monthly Reflections piece to provide guidance on how they can support our Ascend Curriculum at home. We have an open-door policy at our daycare center and we encourage parents to visit at any time and stay for any length of time they feel is necessary.
With 100s of years of combined teaching experience in the field of early childhood education, the staff at Cadence Academy Preschool, Urbandale understands what quality child care means. This location was previously called Apple Tree Children’s Center and a number of our teachers have been with us since the Apple Tree days. Many of our teachers and directors hold degrees in education and continually participate in training to stay abreast of developments in the field. Our teachers know how to anticipate developmental needs and continually create preschool centers and activities that encourage emerging skills.
Cadence KickStart™ Soccer is a high-energy enrichment program designed to build confidence, coordination, and teamwork through fun, age-appropriate soccer play. Led by the teachers your child already knows and trusts, it’s seamlessly built into the school day.
Designed for ages 3–5
12-week program (once per week)
40–50 minute sessions
Builds balance, coordination, and motor skills
Encourages listening, teamwork, and confidence
Integrated into your child’s daily schedule
Talk to your School Director today to learn more and enroll.
Cooking Up Confidence, One Recipe At A Time!
Kids Café is a hands-on cooking program where children explore new foods, build confidence, and develop essential life skills through fun, guided kitchen experiences.
Talk to your School Director today to learn more and enroll.
Cadence Academy Preschool, Urbandale is located at 3054 86th St in Urbandale, Iowa, 50322. We’re between Hickman Rd and Douglas Ave, just north of U.S. Route 6. Many of our families live in Windsor Heights, West Des Moines, and Clive. We would love to show you around our preschool. Schedule a visit today!
My name is Theresa Anderson and I am the School Director, I graduated from the University of Minnesota with an Associates in Applied Science Degree in Child Care Services. I started working for Cadence Academy Preschool in January 1997. I enjoy spending time with my family in Minnesota and quilting in my free time.
Alecia Pardekooper is the School Director at Cadence Academy – Clive, bringing a lifelong passion for working with children and creating environments where every child feels safe, valued, and encouraged to be themselves. She joined Cadence Academy in 2021 as Assistant Director — famously starting the role at 38 weeks pregnant — and has since grown into her current role as School Director. Prior to Cadence, Alecia gained experience across a wide range of positions, including multi-age teacher, assistant teacher, lead teacher, and most recently a KinderPrep teacher in Ankeny.
Alecia believes children learn best through positive relationships, hands-on experiences, play, and plenty of encouragement. Her goal has always been to help each child build confidence, independence, social skills, and a love of learning, and she values open communication with families as the foundation of a strong support system for every child. Outside of work, Alecia is married to her high school sweetheart and together they have a daughter named Oaklynn and two dogs, Brantley and Olive. She loves traveling, exploring new places, and winding down with a good book.
Sandra Villanueva is an Infant Teacher at Cadence Academy Preschool who brings warmth, energy, and a love for children into the classroom each day. She attended the University of Southern Indiana, where she studied Advertising, but discovered her passion in early childhood education. Sandra is excited to continue growing within the company and gaining new experiences as an educator. As a bilingual teacher whose first language is Spanish, she enjoys sharing her language and culture with the children in her care.
Sandra loves building strong relationships with both children and families and feels grateful to support little ones during such an important stage of development. As a mother of two herself, she understands the importance of creating a nurturing and loving environment where children feel safe and supported. Outside of school, Sandra enjoys spending time with her family, relaxing with a good show, and cheering on her favorite sports teams.
Welcome! My name is Mary and I started here when the school opened in 1985. I have a double endorsement in Early Childhood and Elementary Education from the University of Northern Iowa. I have two sons, Jonathan and Matthew. When I am not at work, I enjoy reading, walking, and visiting with family.
My name is Tonya and I am the Lead Teacher in the Nursery Room. I started working here when the school opened in 1985. I have completed my Child Development Associate (CDA) Degree through DMCAA. My husband Todd and I have two children: Cole and Kael. We enjoy riding horses, four-wheelers, and I love to shop. I truly love working with newborns,so I look forward to getting to know all of you.
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.
Every family’s routine is unique — and your childcare should be too. With Cadence Education, our Family of Schools may offer various schedule options designed to fit your life.
Each of our school’s are unique, and may not offer all of the options listed below. Talk with your School Director to learn what options are available for your family at this location.
When schedules change, or the grandparents cancel, or life just gets busy, FlexiPass gives you five prepaid days of care that you can use whenever* you need them, one at a time or all at once. No registration fees. No ongoing tuition. Just dependable care when you need it most.
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