1. Complete online application (beginning annually in February)
2. Do you qualify for Free or Reduced Fees?

• Meet with a family education partner to determine eligibilty for free or reduced fees. Appointments are scheduled beginning in February.
• Selected students will be notified beginning in May.

3. Fee Paying Families

• Someone will contact you to verify receipt of your application and obtain additional information if needed.
• Selected students will be notified beginning in May.

4. Attend Registration Event (beginning in May)

• Families complete enrollment paperwork and copies are made of original birth certificate, immunization records, and health card.
• Fee paying families are required to pay a $50 non-refundable deposit at this event to hold their slot.

5. Attend Developmental Screening (early August)

• Federal and state law requires that we complete developmental screenings on all students upon admittance to our program. ASQ/ASQ:E screeners will be completed on-line by parents prior to the event.
• Vision and hearing will be screened at the event by our family education partners.
• Parents will have the opportunity to bring in any missing paperwork at this time.

6. Meet the Teacher Home Visits (mid-August)

• At the early learning level, teachers set up individualized time to visit each of their student’s home prior to the start of school.
• These visits allow children the opporunity to get to know their teacher in their natural environment.
• Approximately 30 minutes is allotted for each family.

Printable version of the enrollment process

We offer free and considerably reduced fees for families who qualify.

Eligiblity Criteria for Free or Reduced Fees

• Income at or below 130% of federal poverty guidelines (free lunch)
• Single parent
• Teen parent of time of child’s birth
• Parent lacks high school diploma/GED
• Child has limited English proficiency
• Written referral from Department for Children and Families (DCF)
• Participation in the migrant agriculture program
• Student has an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or is developmentally delayed
• Child is in foster care
• Child is homeless
• Family is receiving public assistance

While priority enrollment is given to families who meet one of the eligibility criteria listed above, there are full playing slots available for families who do not meet these eligibility criteria.

1. Eligibilty Category: Peer

• Student is not eligible for state aid or federal grant
• Part day – $150/month
• Full day – $600/month
   

2. Eligiblity Category: Head Start or Preschool Aged at Risk (PAAR)

• Student is eligible for student aide and/or federal grant
• Part day – $0 (Head Start and/or free meals)
• Full day – $150 (PAAR and reduced meals)
• Full day – $400 (PAAR – not incomed based)
   

3. Eligibility Category: Kansas Preschool Pilot

• Student is eligible for state grant
• Part day – $75 (reduced meals or child lacks health insurance)
• Full day – $300 (reduced meals or child lacks health insurance)
   

4. Eligibility Category: Special Education

• Student Individualized Education Program (IEP) requires a classroom placement
  • Part day and full day – $0
  • Determinations are based on the IEP
• Student IEP does not require classroom placement
  • Part day - $0 (free meals)
  • Part day - $75/month (reduced meals)
  • Part day – $150/month (full pay)
  • Full day – $150/month (free meals)
  • Full day – $300/month (reduced meals)
  • Full day – $600/month (full pay)
     

5. EligibilityCategory: Any Student

• Part day – $50/month discount (at least one parent is employed by USD 383 or is a member of the Armed Forces (active or veteran)
• Full day – $100/month discount (at least one parent is employed by USD 383 or is a member of the Armed Forces (active or veteran)
• Part day or Full day – $0 montly fee (at least one parent is a classified employee of USD 383 early learning)

Printable version of Early Learning Program Fees

What is the Curriculum?

• Our early learning classrooms utilize the Connect4Learning (C4L) interdisciplinary early childhood prekindergarten curriculum.
• Connect 4 Learning weaves together literacy, science, social-emotional, and mathematics, to ensure that each area is addressed meaningfully and comprehensively.
• The Connect 4 Learning curriculum recognizes the following:
  • Play and academic instruction can work synergistically in early childhood
  • Early academic skills are essential to later school success
  • Current approaches to early education too often provide superficial math and science experiences
  • A more multifaceted and intentional approach to social-emotional, language, and literacy development is critical to school readiness

What is the daily schedule?

• The daily schedule is predictable and follows a regular routine. There is a balance between teacher directed activities (small group/whole group) and student selected activities (free play). Whole group and small group gatherings are short and transitions are limited. Extended blocks of time are provided to engage children in play and to allow for investigations and explorations.

What is the teacher/student ratio?

• The ratios in our classrooms vary, depending on the needs of the students. Each of our classrooms have a lead teacher with support staff and maintain a 1:8 ratio or better.

What are the hours of operation?

• Half day classrooms operate 3 hours per day Monday-Friday.
• Full day classrooms operate 7 hours per day Monday-Friday, with optional childcare before/after school (Early Learning locations that operate full day classrooms are open 7:30-5:30).

Is transportation provided?

• Limited transportation is available at all sites. Children must meet certain criteria to qualify.

Does the early learning community follow the USD 383 school closure schedule?

• Half day classrooms follow the USD 383 school closure schedule, with a few exceptions. There is no childcare provided for students who attend our half day program during days when school is not in session.
• Full day classrooms provide childcare on days that teachers are contracted to perform other duties, but close when the district offices close—primarily holidays. A full list of closures will be provided to you at the beginning of the school year.

What meals are provided?

• Half Day (3 hour classroom): AM Session (Morning Snack), PM Session (Afternoon Snack)
• Full Day: Breakfast, Lunch, Afternoon Snack

How can I support my child’s learning at home and school?

• Parent engagement is important to our program. We support parents as their child’s teacher, nurturer and advocate. Parents are encouraged to share their skills and interests with the program. Ways you can support your child’s learning include:
  • Attend family nights
  • Participate in classroom events
  • Attend field trips
  • Volunteer in your child’s classroom
  • Participate in parent/teacher conferences
  • Attend parent workshops
  • Participate in Policy Council
  • Participate in Parent Committee

Who are the special services staff?

• Licensed Special Education Teachers
• Licensed ESOL Teacher
• School Psychologist
• Speech/Language Pathologist
• Occupational/Physical Therapists
• School Nurse/Health Aide
• Social Worker/ Behavior Mental Health Specialist
• Early Learning Home Visitor

Be an Attendance Hero!

Making sure your child attends school every day is one of the most important things you can do to help your child succeed in school. Because we are a preschool program, on time, regular attendance is required. Children are expected to attend all days our program is in session.

Did You Know?

• Missing even one day of preschool every few weeks can make it harder to develop early reading and math skills.
• Children who attend preschool regularly are signficantly more likely to be ready for kindergarten.
• Preschool attendance helps reduce crime and teen birth rates later in life.
• If your child arrives even 30 minutes late or leaves school early, they are missing important parts of the day.
   

How Can You Help Your Child Succeed in School?

• Attend school every day and be on time.
• Make sure they get 10-13 hours of sleep in a 24 hour period.
• Set a regular bed time.
• Don’t keep your child home unless they are truly ill.
• Have a back up plan to get your child to school if your transportation falls through.
• Schedule your child’s appointments on a no school day.
• Plan vacations for when school is not in session.