***Updated December 4, 2025***
To be placed on the 2026-27 waitlist, please email Rebecca Thompson, Director, at [email protected]. Please provide your name, child’s name, hours preference and a phone number.
Enrollment Application Timeline
- January 2026 – Current and former Little Cardinals Nest families
- February 2026 – St. Johns County School District Employees (contacted in order of waitlist)
- March 2026 – New Community Families (contacted in order of waitlist)
Hours Offered – All spots are Monday through Friday (limited spots for all times)
- Half-Day (SJCSD Employees Only for 2026-27): 8:30-12:00 (no lunch)
- School Hours (SJCSD Employees Only): 8:00-3:30 – drop off no earlier than 7:50am
- School Hours (Community): 8:30-3:00 (please note pickup time change to 3:00 for 2026-27 from 3:30 in 2025-26)
- Full Day: 7:00am-5:30pm – your child must be picked up by 5:30 – repeated late pickups will result in dismissal from the program
- For 2026-27, there will be a cutoff time for dropping off your student. 3’s class students must be dropped off by 9:30am or will be marked absent (unless you inform the teacher in advance that your child has an appointment and bring a doctor’s note) – The gate locks at 9:30am and 3’s circle time starts at 9:00am.
3’s Class Requirements
- For all new families, at least one parent and the child must attend a tour in order to receive an enrollment application – families will be contacted in order of the waitlist
- Children must be fully toilet-trained by the first day of school (August 10, 2026). A pull-up with velcro sides at nap only is permitted.
- Parents and all persons entering the classroom must agree to a background check by completing the form at https://www.stjohns.k12.fl.us/volunteer/
- If your child is 3 years old and has identified needs, please contact the Cunningham Creek Elementary Registrar, Lisa J. Wilson, for more information about the ESE pre-k program. You can reach Ms. Wilson at [email protected] or 904-547-7866
3’s Class Information
- Ratio – The 3’s class has up to 15 students and 2 teachers. There is only one 3’s class.
- Curriculum – We are play-based but have a structured schedule. Learning themes change weekly and focus on early literacy. Children participate in science experiments, music and movement, art, fine motor and gross motor activities. Children experience special events throughout the year such as class parties, the CCE Character Parade (October), Thanksgiving Feast, Holiday Performance (December), Egg Hunt/Spring Party, End-of-Year Performance (May) and more!
- Schedule – We follow the St. Johns County School District schedule and are closed for all school breaks. Please see the 2026-27 Master Calendar and 3’s Daily Schedule web pages. At 3:30pm, full day 3’s students combine with the full day VPK students (in the VPK room) for free choice play, games, art and playground time
- Zoning – You do NOT need to be zoned for Cunningham Creek Elementary to attend Little Cardinals Nest
- Transportation – We do NOT provide transportation or drop-off/pickup car lines. You must park and walk your child in (sign-in) and sign-out your child.
- Tuition – Tuition will be discussed during your tour and listed in the enrollment application packet (2026-27 has not been approved yet)