Irvine Chinese School

A: Students at Dragon’s Nest are cared for by our early childhood education team, which includes qualified lead teachers, teaching assistants, and support staff. Each student is assigned to a lead teacher while additional floating teachers and assistants provide support and supervision throughout the day as needed. The maximum ratio is 1 teacher for every 12 students.

A: Although students are entering the school system, development remains the primary focus for 4- and 5-year-olds. Our early childhood team takes pride in designing age-appropriate and developmentally appropriate activities while supporting essential social-emotional growth and learning skills. Both the before-school and after-school sessions include activities such as circle time, story time, child-directed play, outdoor activities, small group games, and special enrichment experiences. Our goal is to provide a warm, engaging, and supportive environment where students can learn, socialize, and grow with confidence.

A: The daily schedule may vary depending on the specific Dragon’s Nest plan your student enrolls in. Each schedule is designed to offer a consistent structure while allowing flexibility to meet the needs of the group. More details will be provided when school starts.

A: Yes. Physical activity is an essential part of the daily routine. Activities are designed to support and strengthen gross motor development. While TK and Kindergarten students already possess key gross motor skills like running, jumping, climbing, and balancing, they are still refining these skills for better control, coordination, endurance, and agility.

A: No. Weather permitting, there will be both indoor and outdoor activities planned each day. Outdoor time is physically and mentally beneficial and provides valuable opportunities for exploration, movement, and play.

A: There is no designated nap time or mandatory quiet rest period. However, there are naturally quieter and slower-paced periods throughout the day that allow students to rest or even nap if needed. For students’ safety and well-being, teachers will support students who are especially tired and help them rest comfortably. This is fairly common at the beginning of the school year or after long breaks. Mats or cushions are provided as needed.

A: Most materials for daily activities are provided by the program. Occasionally, we may ask families to contribute simple household items to support or enrich special projects or themed activities.

A: Homework time is scheduled for the Kindergartener’s afterschool time. More details with the sign up form will be provided after school starts.

A: Yes. We are a nut-free program. Please ensure that any food or drink you send does not contain nuts. Thank you for helping us keep the environment safe for all children.

A: No. We are unable to refrigerate or heat any food or drink items. Please send meals that are ready to eat.

A: Breakfast is served between 7:45 AM - 8:00 AM.
If your child will have breakfast at the Dragon Nest, please arrive early enough to allow them time to eat before we take them to meet their teacher. Students must be with their teacher by the end of the arrival window to avoid being marked tardy.

A: For TK-AM students, lunchtime takes place shortly after school dismissal. For TK-PM students, lunchtime begins approximately one hour before the start of class.

A: Meal ordering instructions will be provided by the school.

A: Meals are only provided if ordered.
Please note:

• AM classes are eligible to order breakfast and/or lunch.
• PM classes are eligible to order lunch only.

A: Yes. You may bring breakfast. Students will enjoy their home packed breakfast or snack between 9:00 AM - 9:20 AM.

A: We do our best to encourage children to try their food and eat enough, but we cannot guarantee that they will finish their meals.

• For lunch purchasing/ordering, we are using the Lunch Mob this year. Please create an account and add child name first.
• Please note the deadline to order or to make changes is 12:00pm two(2) calendar days prior to service. Use the school code IRVCS.
• Lunch that was purchased but was not picked up by the end of 6:30 PM will be trash away each day.

• Ready-To-Enjoy meal will be delivered to your child at lunch time on the day you ordered for.

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A: Yes. We are a nut-free program. Please ensure that any food or drink you send does not contain nuts. Thank you for helping us maintain a safe environment for all children.

A: Yes. Snack times are scheduled in the morning, early afternoon, and late afternoon. Children may enjoy their own snacks or the program-provided snacks, with parent permission.

A: No. However, parents must provide one-time consent for the program to offer snacks to your child. This permission is valid for the entire school year unless new snack items are introduced that require additional approval. The permission survey will be provided in early July.

A: No drinks are provided during snack time. We encourage students to drink water, so please ensure your child brings a refillable water bottle to school each day.

A: Most materials needed throughout the day are provided by the school and the program. Each child has a small designated space for their belongings, so we kindly ask families to keep items to a minimum.

A: At this age, children are developing independence, and having a backpack they can carry on their own supports that growth. Please choose one that is appropriately sized—if your child cannot lift or carry it themselves, it’s probably too heavy. If the backpack drags on the ground when held, it’s likely too big. Wheeled backpacks are not appropriate for TK and Kindergarten students.

A: Yes. Please make sure your child always has a complete change of clothes at the program, including underwear, a top, bottoms, socks, and an extra pair of shoes. Pack the spare clothes in a clean, labeled Ziplock bag.

A: Toys and fad items from home are generally not allowed, except for comfort items that help ease your child’s transition or when specifically requested by teachers for special activities.

A: Your child may wear what they typically wear to school. Since the daily routine includes outdoor play, please ensure they wear closed-toe play shoes with rubber soles—safe and suitable for climbing and running.

A: For any questions or concerns about the Dragon Den at the South Campus, please email us at childcare@sccca.org. For urgent matters, call us directly at 949-559-6868.