- Overview
- Programs
- Our Team
- Accreditation
- FAQs
- Reviews
- Schedule Options
Why Families in DuPont, WA Choose Our Daycare and Preschool
Welcome to Cadence Academy Preschool and Daycare in DuPont, Washington.
At our private preschool and daycare in DuPont, Washington, we like to make children feel at home when they walk through our doors. Families choose our DuPont preschool because of our warm, home-like environment where children feel comfortable, supported, and ready to learn. From family photos displayed in our classrooms to live plants and classroom pets, children are surrounded by familiar touches that help them feel safe and welcomed.
Our mission is to provide children and families in DuPont, Washington with a true “Home Away From Home” where children develop a strong sense of self, love of learning, and meaningful community culture through care and play. We strive for educational excellence through hands-on learning and implementing a child-centered preschool curriculum that allows each student to shine as an individual.
Daycare and Preschool 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.
Our Approach to Early Childhood Education
Ascend Curriculum

Thanks to the flexibility of our Ascend Curriculum, we take an individualized approach to early childhood education and encourage every child to progress towards age-appropriate goals at their natural pace. New skills are introduced sequentially in 9 different learning domains each month and activities are modified to fit the interests and current skill level of each child. This skill-based approach to early education ensures that every child feels engaged, supported, and challenged and makes learning fun!
Kind Child Program

Another significant part of our curriculum is our Kind Child program. Kind Child is a year-long program for children ages two and older that helps our teachers nurture and strengthen every child’s social and emotional skills. We have found that when we focus on the emotional well-being of each child in our care, we strengthen our school as well. We are confident that Kind Child will continue to strengthen the culture of our entire preschool center by elevating every child’s feelings of happiness, improving their well-being, and enriching their friendships.
What Makes Our Daycare and Preschool Unique
At Cadence Academy Preschool DuPont, many of our families stay with us from infancy through elementary school, building long-lasting relationships that often continue even after they move away. This strong sense of connection reflects the supportive community we have created with both children and families over time.
What sets our school apart is our commitment to high-quality early education combined with meaningful daily experiences. Our center is NAEYC Accredited, reflecting the highest standards of early childhood care and education, and is supported by experienced, dedicated teachers who provide hands-on learning opportunities both inside and outside the classroom.
Children enjoy nutritious, family-style meals and snacks each day, along with developmentally supportive Baby Signs® programs that encourage early communication skills. In addition, our modern, security-controlled facility is located in a family-friendly neighborhood, offering a safe and welcoming environment for children to learn and grow.
We also support families through partnerships with NACCRRA and Army Child Care in Your Neighborhood, helping expand access to quality care. To support school readiness, we focus on kindergarten preparation through our Pre-K Plus and Kindergarten Club programs, while maintaining strong family communication through weekly emails, photos, progress updates, and classroom newsletters.
A Preschool 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.
Getting To Our Preschool
Our DuPont center is located at 2212 Palisade Blvd, DuPont, WA 98327, just off Center Drive. We are conveniently close to Chloe Clark Elementary School and Powderworks Park, making morning drop-offs effortless for local families.
Situated mere minutes from I-5, our preschool offers a direct, stress-free commute for parents traveling toward Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM), Lakewood, Tacoma, or Olympia.
Schedule a Tour of Our Dupont 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
Shelby Bridges
School Director
I’ve been working in the Early Childhood Education field since 2019 but my journey started long before that with my own big, loving family. I am one of four siblings and have ten amazing nieces and nephews. Becoming a mom to my son only deepened my love for children and passion for helping them grow. When I began working for Cadence, I was blessed with the opportunity to grow quickly from a Teacher Assistant to a Director. I love every moment of guiding staff, supporting families, and creating environments where children can thrive.
Samantha (Sam) Menendez
Assistant Director
Hi, I’m Sam, I am the assistant director, and I have been in the early childhood education field for 6 years. I went to the Art Institute of California for photography. I love working with children and watching/being a part of their growth and learning! In my free time, I like to take long drives with my husband and child, go to the woods and explore and take photos. My hobbies include swimming and photography, and I really want to buy a mystery jar of jewelry from an antique store one day! I started back in May of 2019 after noticing kids playing outside at a preschool near my childhood home, and I thought that would be a great opportunity. I started as a Montessori assistant teacher, and I have worked my way into an assistant director role. I am here for the children and families every day, and I lead a team that is just as present for the children!
Kaelyn Alleyne
Teacher of the Year
Hello and hi there, my name is Kaelyn, and I am a lead teacher of one of our preschool classrooms and teacher of the year this year! I am currently in school with Clover Park Technical College for early childhood education. The question is, what is there not to like about early childhood education? The kids are so funny, they love unconditionally, and they teach me just as much as I teach them. It’s always a good time! In my free time, I like to read, do puzzles, play pickleball, cuddle my dogs, and spend time with my family. My other interests include collecting things, Tim Burton, and my dogs! I started working in early childhood education in September 2023. I started off as a break staff and quickly moved to a teacher’s assistant position in our early preschool room, where I learned so much from the lead teacher that I eventually became a lead teacher myself, and I love it! I feel that children learn best when they get to help create the environment they learn in, so my classroom is constantly evolving and changing based on the children’s interests! I feel that consistently communicating everything with them not only helps them understand what’s going on throughout the day but also helps them get more comfortable with communicating themselves! I want every child to feel like every day is an awesome adventure that they can’t wait to have. I try my best to create a go with the flow environment that gets messy in the best ways possible!
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.
School Resources
What are your hours?
We are open Monday through Friday from 6:00 AM to 5:30 PM, providing full-day care to support working families.
What ages are accepted?
We offer programs for children from 6 weeks through 5 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?
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?
Tuition at 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
Cadence Academy Preschool, Dupont
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Childcare Schedule Options That Work With Your Life
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.

FlexiPass — New Flexible Care Option!
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.
Schedule a Time to Tour Our School
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