The Afternoon Advantage: A Different Time of Day, the Same Coastal Day School Experience

When families begin exploring preschool options, many naturally hope for a morning schedule, and it’s true, our morning program at Coastal Day School tends to fill quickly. But our afternoon preschool program isn’t a backup plan or a lesser option. It’s a thoughtful, enriching experience and, for many families, an unexpectedly perfect fit. Our afternoon preschool offers the same high-quality program as our morning classes. Children learn from the same wonderful teachers, follow the same engaging curriculum, and explore the same themes and learning goals. The only difference is the time of day.

One of the biggest benefits of the afternoon program is availability. While morning spots can be limited, afternoon openings are often more accessible, making it a great entry point into our school family. Many families begin in the afternoon program and, as current students, have the opportunity to move into the morning program during re-enrollment the following year.

We also know that parents sometimes hesitate about an afternoon schedule because of nap time and we completely understand that concern. Transitions around sleep can feel challenging at first. What we’ve consistently seen, however, is that children adjust beautifully. Within a few weeks, students settle into the afternoon rhythm and feel comfortable, rested, and ready to learn. In fact, many families find that the afternoon schedule ends up working so well that they choose to re-enroll year after year, not because they can’t move to mornings, but because their child is thriving and the schedule fits their family’s life just right.

Afternoon students and their families are fully part of the Coastal Day School community. They participate in all school-wide events, celebrations, and traditions, building meaningful connections with classmates, teachers, and families across the school. While the morning program tends to be the more popular option, the afternoon program offers the same warmth, care, and sense of belonging. For many children, it’s not just a great alternative, it’s the perfect place to begin their CDS journey.

We invite new families to join us for our Open House on Thursday, February 19th from 6:00–7:00 pm. This is a relaxed opportunity to tour our school, meet our staff, ask questions, and get a feel for the community that makes Coastal Day School such a special place for young learners. Hope to see you then!

 

Enrollment Information for the 2026-2027 School Year

 Happy New Year! As we look ahead to the 2026–2027 school year, we are excited to begin welcoming new families into our Coastal Day School community! This September, we will proudly celebrate the start of our 20th year of serving families in our community, an exciting milestone we are incredibly grateful for! Over the years, we’ve had the privilege of meeting so many wonderful families, many of whom have become lifelong friends, and we are thrilled that you’re considering Coastal Day School for your child.

Our school is home to amazing teachers and students, and we would love for your family to become part of it. The school year runs from early September through the end of May. Children must meet the age requirement for their intended classroom by August 31st.

We invite parents to attend our Open House on Thursday, February 19th from 6–7pm, where you’ll have the opportunity to tour our facility, meet our staff, and ask any questions you may have.
This Open House is for parents only. We also host a separate Open House in the summer for enrolled students to visit their classroom and meet their teacher and classmates.

Enrollment requests will open on March 1st at 7:00pm. A link to the request form will be posted right here on our blog. The form will ask for your name and phone number. Please be sure your contact information is entered correctly before submitting. Requests are timestamped, and available spaces will be offered in the order received. Once classrooms are full, we will begin our waiting lists. For the best chance at a space, we recommend submitting your request promptly at 7:00pm.

Please note that this form is a request for enrollment and does not guarantee placement. No payment or additional documentation is required at this time.

Beginning Monday, March 2nd, our administrative team will begin reviewing enrollment requests submitted on March 1st. Families will be contacted by phone and notified whether their child has received a space or has been placed on the waiting list. Families who are offered a space will have one week to complete registration, which includes submitting a completed enrollment packet and the $200 New Student Fee.

For families who receive a space but were unable to attend the February Open House, we will offer a group tour during that same week. While we are not able to offer tours to families who do not receive a space, if a family is contacted from the waiting list at any point, we will be happy to offer a tour at that time, before any commitment or payment is required.

In the meantime, click *here* for more information on our programs. 

If you have any questions, I’m always happy to help! Please feel free to email me at ashley@coastaldayschool.com.

We hope to see you on February 19th and can’t wait to celebrate our 20th year with our CDS families this fall!