About Us
Desert Preschool Academy (DPA) was founded in 2017 with its first site in Indio, California. Desert Preschool Academy is a 501(c) (3), nonprofit that provides little to no cost childcare services to low income families. We serve children ages Infant through 5. DPA provides nutritious meals and snacks under the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). We currently have 9 child care facilities in Indio, Mecca, La Quinta, Thermal, Beaumont, Coachella and Moreno Valley. We have been in operation for 6 years serving over 300 children.
Our Mission
At Desert Preschool Academy, we aim to provide young children with the highest quality of care and education. We provide a safe nurturing environment designed to foster physical, social, intellectual, and emotional development while recognizing that each child is unique.
Our Philosophy
Desert Preschool Academy provides a high-quality preschool experience in a safe, nurturing environment that promotes physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development in children. We believe that young children learn through play, and therefore the learning activities in Desert Preschool Academy are developmentally appropriate. Our goal is to help children gain 5 confidences, learn to trust, and socialize with others, experiment with their environment, and prepare children for kindergarten.
Assessing Children's Development and Curriculum Information
Learning Genie helps keep parents actively involved in their children's daily classroom activities.
Ages & Stages Questionnaires® (ASQ®) provides reliable, accurate developmental and social-emotional screening for children between birth and age 6. Drawing on parents’ expert knowledge, ASQ has been specifically designed to pinpoint developmental progress and catch delays in young children—paving the way for meaningful next steps in learning, intervention, or monitoring.
The Desired Results system is designed to improve the quality of programs and services provided to all children from birth through 12 years of age enrolled in early care and education programs, before-and after-school programs, and their families.
We provide intentional age-appropriate instruction that is aligned to both federal and state standards. Our comprehensive, research-based programs integrate instruction across developmental domains and early learning disciplines.
Application & Enrollment Information
Enrollment Process
Desert Preschool Academy targets low to moderate-income working parents with little to no cost of childcare. Our program offers childcare to parents who would otherwise be unable to work due to the costs associated with childcare.
The following documents are required to enroll or place your child on our waitlist:
-Birth Certificates for children who live in your household under 18 years old
-One month's proof of income
-Proof of address
-Immunizations
You can email your documents to:
In addition to monthly parent meetings and bimonthly educational articles sent via Learning Genie. Desert Preschool Academy offers free parent education and training to our families through the many partnerships we have created with organizations throughout our communities including, but not limited to Help Me Grow! Loma Linda, Inland Regional Center, Bright Life Kids, The Carolyn E. Wylie Center, local school districts, and more!
Meal Menus
Newsletters
Monthly Resource
Calendar
Daily Schedules
**Items are distributed to families monthly digitally and in print at site locations.
Careers at Desert Preschool Academy
We are now hiring for:
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Preschool Teachers
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Infant/ Toddler Teachers
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Teacher Assistants
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Site Supervisors
Send your application and college transcripts to:
Vanguiano@desertpreschoolacademy.org
-OR-
Desert Preschool Academy Office Locations
Family Services Office
Enrollment and Attendance
47795 Dune Palms Rd.
La Quinta, CA 92253
Phone: (760) 771-3445
melissag@desertpreschoolacademy.org
Administrative Office
77570 Springfield Lane, Suite N
Palm Desert, Riverside County 92211
Phone: (760) 772-1478
Fax: 760-259-2083
Human Resources
& Payroll Department
Banning Office
3092 W. Ramsey St.
Banning, CA 92220
Phone: (951) 922-2123