Early Childhood Education

  • All of District 300’s early childhood programs are state-funded, free of charge, and designed for families who meet specific eligibility requirements.

    Our programs are dedicated to creating a nurturing, caring environment where every child feels safe, supported, and valued.

    Our staff is committed to building strong, trusting relationships with each child, helping them grow socially, emotionally, and academically. We believe that when children feel loved and encouraged, they’re ready to explore, learn, and thrive.

    At the heart of our program is a deep commitment to your child’s growth and development—because we know these early years matter most.

    To apply or learn more, please contact the deLacey Family Education Center at 224-484-2300, as all early childhood enrollment in District 300 begins there.

     

    FREE Developmental Screenings

    A developmental screening is a quick, free check of your child's growth in areas like language, motor skills, problem-solving, and social development. It helps identify strengths and areas where support may be needed. In District 300, families do not need to be enrolled in any program to receive a FREE developmental screening. It’s a great way for parents to better understand their child’s development and take the next steps to support their learning and success.

    If you are pregnant or are parenting a child from infancy to age three and would like further information about any of our FREE programs, please click on one of our brochures:

  • Kristin Corriveau

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Executive Director of Early

    Childhood Education

     

    Kristin Corriveau

     

    Kristin.Corriveau@d300.org

     

  • Birth to Three Program 

    The Birth to Three program of District 300 is a Parents as Teachers (PAT) affiliate program. Our highly trained staff support parents from the early stages of pregnancy up until a child reaches their third birthday.  

    No one will be more important to a child’s development and growth than their parents. Parenting can be tough, so let us be your partner! Our program is designed to help parents feel more confident and gain more competence in their crucially important role. Parents receive research-based information to help stimulate growth and critical brain development in their child through participation in various guided activities.

    Best of all, our services are FREE to families living within the boundaries of District 300!

    Free services include:

    • Developmental screenings for any child ages 2 months to 32 months
    • Teen parenting program
    • Home visiting program for qualified families 

     

    Preschool

    Preschool in District 300 is completely free for children who qualify. Our programs are play-based, which means children learn through hands-on exploration, imagination, and interaction with others. Research shows that play-based learning helps children build important skills like problem-solving, language, and social-emotional development—while having fun!

    All of our preschool classrooms use Creative Curriculum, a research-based program recommended by the Illinois State Board of Education. It’s aligned with the Illinois Early Learning and Development Standards to support each child’s growth in a meaningful way.

    We’re proud to share that District 300’s preschool programs have earned the state’s Gold Circle of Quality—the highest recognition for early childhood education in Illinois.

    Children will receive breakfast, lunch, or a snack, depending on the program.

    Our half-day Preschool for All program:

    • Schedule: Held Monday through Friday (5 days per week) for 2½ hours each day

    • Locations (note: children are placed based upon attendance zones):
      • deLacey Family Education Center (main site)
      • Gilberts Elementary
      • Liberty Elementary
      • Lincoln Prairie Elementary
      • Westfield Community School
      • Wright Elementary

    • Eligibility:
      • Children may begin once they turn 3 years old, if they meet the program’s requirements
      • Children can stay in the program until they are old enough for kindergarten
    • Half-Day Preschool Flyer
    • Jornada Prescolar de Medio día

    Our full-day Preschool for All Expansion program:

    • Schedule: Monday through Friday

    • Location: deLacey Family Education Center

    • Who Can Attend:
      • Children who live in the areas served by:
        • Golfview Elementary
        • Lake in the Hills Elementary
        • Lakewood Elementary
        • Meadowdale Elementary
        • Parkview Elementary
        • Perry Elementary
      • Children must be 4 years old
      • Children must be eligible to start kindergarten the following school year
      • Children must meet program eligibility requirements
    • Full-Day Preschool Flyer
    • Jornada Completa Prescolar de día completo

     

    Special Education Program

    Special Education preschool programs are also available for students with identified significant delays. These programs provide more individualized instruction based upon the student’s needs. Please contact Beth Wennerstrom for more information.

     

    Preschool Application

    We are pleased that you are interested in our preschool program. Our admission process for all preschool programs begins with screening. We take screening requests for three and four year old children.

    1. Complete the Initial Screening Contact Form by clicking here. When you fill out this form, you’ll need to include proof of income, as this is required to complete your application because our preschool program is funded by a state grant.

    2. An electronic copy of the Ages and Stages Questionnaire - 3 (ASQ-3) will be sent to your email after we receive your Initial Screening Contact Form (see above). This form helps us get to know your child, including their strengths and areas where they may need more support.

      It gives us a better idea of how your child is doing with things like talking, moving, playing with others, and solving problems. A parent or guardian should fill it out, and it takes about 20 minutes to complete.

    Once you finish the ASQ-3, our District 300 screening team will review your responses and determine next steps. You’ll hear from us soon after. Based on the results, one of the following will happen:

    • Your child is developing as expected and does not currently qualify for the Preschool For All program.
    • Your child qualifies for the Preschool For All program. If the program is full, your child will be placed on a waiting list, and we’ll contact you when a spot becomes available.
    • Your child may benefit from a closer look at their development. In this case, we’ll recommend a follow-up play-based evaluation.