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- Overview
- Programs
- Our Team
- Accreditation
- Reviews
About Cadence Academy Preschool in West Des Moines, IA
Cadence Academy Preschool, Grand offers exciting early learning environments for children ages 6 weeks through 5 years old. Our preschool center is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and we specialize in creating engaging educational experiences that help young children develop academic, social-emotional, and physical skill.
We are proud to lead the way in preparing children for kindergarten. Through our specialized curriculum and dedicated teachers, we strive to ensure that your child is not just ready for kindergarten, but ready to excel. In 2024, 100% of the Pre-K children assessed in our school demonstrated Readiness or Advanced Readiness for Kindergarten!
Our preschool programs are built upon the Ascend Curriculum, which takes a skill-targeted approach to early education. Our children are constantly developing valuable skill sets in nine subject areas. We personalize educational activities to match the interests and current skill level of our students, which helps them feel engaged, supported, and challenged.
Our Preschool’s Programs
- Infant Daycare (ages 6 weeks to 1 year)
- Toddler Daycare (ages 1 to 2)
- Young Preschool (ages 2 to 3)
- Preschool (ages 3 to 4)
- Pre-Kindergarten (ages 4 to 5)
We offer a Before and After School Care Program for children ages five to seven on a limited basis. Please note, we typically restrict enrollment to students who have younger siblings at the school.
Kind Child
A child’s first social experiences shape their attitude and aptitude for the rest of their lives, so we make sure to fill each day with adventure, learning, and laughter. We encourage our students and staff to celebrate and value diversity and our Kind Child program helps us strengthen the character and social skills of every child in our care. Kind Child is a core subject in our monthly curriculum and we regularly host Kind Child events that help everyone feel welcome and valued at our preschool.
School-to-Home Connection
We understand how important communication is to a child’s success, so we like to connect with our parents every day. Our daycare center has an open-door policy and we welcome you to visit at any time and stay for as long as you like. We offer a variety of communications to keep you up-to-date on your child’s overall developmental progress and have formal parent-teacher conferences twice a year so you can join us in setting goals for your child.
Cadence KickStart™ Soccer
Big Fun. Little Players. Growing Confidence.
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.
Program Highlights:
- 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
- No prior soccer experience needed
- Integrated into your child’s daily schedule
Talk to your School Director today to learn more and enroll.
Kids Café Preschool Cooking Program
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.
Program Highlights:
- Designed for ages 3+
- Weekly sessions over a 12-week program
- Hands-on cooking activities and kid-friendly recipes
- Builds teamwork, sharing, and communication skills
- Encourages problem-solving and following directions
- Supports early math, literacy, and critical thinking
- Includes a take-home cooking kit for continued fun
Talk to your School Director today to learn more and enroll.
Programs Offered
Infant Care
Our infant care program invites children starting at the age of six weeks up to 18 months. Though leaving your little one for the first time is a big step, our nurturing environment is designed to feel just like a home away from home. Choosing our program ensures your baby receives personalized attention that supports their earliest developmental milestones.
Toddler Care
Our toddler care program invites children starting at 12 months up to 3 years old. Though toddlers are full of boundless energy, our environment is designed to channel that curiosity into safe exploration. Choosing a program that balances hands-on learning with guided play is a key step in fostering your child’s emerging independence.
Preschool
Our preschool program invites children starting at 3 years up to 5 years old. Though we introduce early academic concepts, we believe that learning happens naturally through open-ended play. Choosing our preschool environment helps build the essential “I can do it” confidence that serves as a foundation for their future education.
Pre-Kindergarten
Our Pre-Kindergarten program invites children starting at 4 years up to 5 years old. Though the focus shifts to kindergarten readiness, we ensure the preparation remains engaging and stress-free. Choosing our specialized curriculum ensures your child is academically and socially prepared for a smooth transition to elementary school.
Our infant care program invites children starting at the age of six weeks up to 18 months. Though leaving your little one for the first time is a big step, our nurturing environment is designed to feel just like a home away from home. Choosing our program ensures your baby receives personalized attention that supports their earliest developmental milestones.
Our toddler care program invites children starting at 12 months up to 3 years old. Though toddlers are full of boundless energy, our environment is designed to channel that curiosity into safe exploration. Choosing a program that balances hands-on learning with guided play is a key step in fostering your child’s emerging independence.
Our preschool program invites children starting at 3 years up to 5 years old. Though we introduce early academic concepts, we believe that learning happens naturally through open-ended play. Choosing our preschool environment helps build the essential “I can do it” confidence that serves as a foundation for their future education.
Our Pre-Kindergarten program invites children starting at 4 years up to 5 years old. Though the focus shifts to kindergarten readiness, we ensure the preparation remains engaging and stress-free. Choosing our specialized curriculum ensures your child is academically and socially prepared for a smooth transition to elementary school.
Our Team
Erica Austin
School Director
Hi, my name is Erica Austin! I am originally from Johnston, IA, and graduated with my Associates Degree in Early Childhood from DMACC in 2007. In 2009, my husband Adam and I moved to Iowa City where I taught 2’s for 4 years, then became the Assistant Director at the Cadence Academy in Iowa City. In 2019 we relocated to the metro area with our two daughters Taylor and Hailey and I started here at our Grand location! As a family we enjoy biking, lake days, cheering on the Iowa Hawkeyes and playing outside with our new puppy Bingo! I have a passion for early childhood and have loved being able to grow at Cadence over the last 16 years!
Madison Whisney
Assistant Director
My name is Madison Whisney. I have worked at Cadence Academy for more than 7 years and have loved working here. I have a bachelor’s degree from Iowa State University. I was drawn to Early Childhood Education from a young age. Both my mother and grandmother were kindergarten teachers and although I took a slightly different path, I am proud to be a third generation Early Childhood Educator. My husband Adam and our 3 beautiful children Sadie, Roxanne, and Hank; enjoy camping, biking, boating and most especially cheering on the Iowa State Cyclones. You will see us at every football game this fall! I am a very outgoing individual and love meeting new people and I feel so fortunate to be able to get to be a part of this school, meet all of your families and of course spend time with the kiddos!
Ms. Cori
Teacher of the Year
Ms. Cori has been with Cadence for over 18 years. She is a pilar at our school and goes above and beyond to see that her classroom and our whole school is the best it can be. She is always there to help whether it is spring cleanup, a fun project, or ideas for the next parent event, Cori is there to lend a hand. She is a leader in her classroom, running a smooth toddler class, working exceptionally well with her co-workers, and providing a fun and nurturing environment. Outside of the classroom she is the health and safety coordinator and a go to for us in training new employees. Any task we give Cori she will bring her best to it and see it is done well. She cares deeply about our school, the kids, staff, management and the building itself have all been touched by Ms Cori.
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
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Cadence Academy Preschool
West Des Moines, IA
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