How long has Planet Kids Academy been in business?

Our Owner, Beverly McQuaid, purchased property in Mandeville in 1996 and established the very first Planet Kids Preschool. In 1999 she purchased property in Covington to open a second Planet Kids and in 2004 construction was completed and the doors opened for Planet Kids Academy in Madisonville. In 2008 all schools were consolidated into the Academy in Madisonville, which has earned “BEST SCHOOL” honors for eleven years.

Is Planet Kids Academy licensed?

Yes. We hold a Type “II” License from The Louisiana Department of Education.  Our license is renewed annually after very extensive quarterly and annual State inspections are passed.

What are the hours of attendance?

Planet Kids Academy is a 12-month Early Childhood Education Center that offers a 3, 4 or 5 day program for children ages 12 months through 5 years old. We operate Monday through Friday from 7:30 am – 5:30 pm. Curriculum time is from 9:00 – 4:00 daily. Tuition entitles a child to any or all of the 7:30 – 5:30 preschool day.

What is the classroom “ratios”?

Classroom ratios are set by The Louisiana Department of Education. The teacher-to-child ratio varies based on the age of the children. Planet Kids Academy is well-known for operating its programs under the ratios suggested by State minimum standards. The reason for this is so the Staff of the Academy can be successful in meeting the educational goals that they establish for their programs each year as well as the children’s emotional needs. 

What is the educational philosophy of Planet Kids?

In our mission statement we emphasize our desire to create an environment of love, respect and stability that will foster a feeling of security within each child and help them to freely explore their natural development within a climate of guided-learning and unconditional acceptance. Our goal is to create lifetime-learners who feel safe and secure and know that they are loved and respected as they test their boundaries and meet the challenges that are placed before them as we ready the children for “bigger schools” after Pre-K.

What is the illness policy at Planet Kids?

Childhood illnesses are a very real threat in an Early Childhood environment. It starts with insuring that our students are current in their Immunizations upon enrolling at the Academy and continues with vigilant policy that is proactive in sending children home at the onset of illness symptoms such as fever, unexplained rashes, diarrhea and vomiting (to name a few). Additionally, the Staff is well-trained in the maintenance of daily classroom hygiene and sanitizing and we allocate a generous portion of our operating budget to cleaning tools that help us to stay on top of the continual hygiene needs of the environment itself.

In addition Planet Kids made the decision over two years ago to invest in the service of the company DIS.IN.FX.  DIS.IN.FX ensures that our facility regularly undergoes antimicrobial treatments, utilizing EPA registered Hospital Grade Disinfectants, as well as EPA registered Anti-Microbial Coating.