Early Childhood Education

Do you have questions about your child’s development? Screenings aren’t just for concerns! They’re a valuable way to understand your child’s current development, and future progress.

A developmental screening is a quick, FREE check of your child's growth in areas like language, motor skills, problem-solving, and social development, and helps identify strengths and areas where support may be needed. Any family residing within the District 300 boundaries can request 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:

• Birth to three developmental screening
• Evaluación del desarrollo desde el nacimiento hasta los tres año

Purpose

Our Birth to Three program is designed to give children the strongest possible start in life. Serving families from pregnancy up until age three, the program provides personalized support, developmental guidance, and resources that promote healthy growth, school readiness, and positive parent-child relationships.

Curriculum

Click here to learn more about the Parents as Teachers curriculum

Eligibility

*Expectant parents and families with children from birth up to age 3.

*Families that meet risk-based or other eligibility criteria as outlined by the state program model (e.g., factors associated with risk of academic failure or other service-need indicators).                                                                    

Location

Our highly trained Parent Educators meet with the child and their caregiver two times per month either in the home, or at various community locations (library, etc)

How to Apply

Click this link to start the application process. Our staff will contact you after receiving this information

Transportation

Not Applicable (In Home)

Duration

Approximately 60 minutes 2x per month

Purpose

Preschool for All (PFA) helps children ages 3 until kindergarten entry grow, learn, and thrive. Through engaging, play-based instruction and caring relationships, children build the academic and social-emotional skills needed for a confident start in kindergarten.

Curriculum

Click here to learn more about the Creative Curriculum

Eligibility

• Children who are 3 or 4 years old and 5 year olds not yet age-eligible for kindergarten. *Our program has limited spaces and is designed for children who meet specific eligibility criteria.
   
• All interested families will participate in a screening and application process, which helps us determine whether the program is the best fit for your child.        
   
• Participation in screening does not guarantee enrollment.

Location

Preschool for All classrooms are located at the deLacey Family Education Center, Gilberts Elementary, Liberty Elementary, Lincoln Prairie Elementary, Westfield Community School, and Wright Elementary School.  

*School placement is determined by your child’s designated base (home) school attendance area. Because of program availability and space, this assigned location may differ from the school closest to your residence.

How to Apply

Click this link to start the application process. Our staff will contact you after receiving this information.

NOTE: If your child is not yet 3 years old, you may apply starting 30 days before their 3rd birthday.

Transportation

Our Preschool for All program does not include transportation services. Families must provide transportation to and from the assigned school location.

Duration

deLacey classrooms    

2.5 hours, Monday - Friday

8:45 - 11:15 (am) and  12:30 - 3:00 (pm)

All Other Sites

8:00 - 10:30 (am) and 11:45 - 2:15 (pm)

Purpose

Preschool for All (PFA) provides high quality preschool for children who will be eligible to enter kindergarten the following school year, and live in communities identified as having the highest need (D300 Title I Schools). The program focuses on building strong academic and social-emotional foundations to ensure a confident and successful transition to kindergarten.

Curriculum

Click here to learn more about the Creative Curriculum

Eligibility

• Children who will be eligible for kindergarten the following school year
   
• Targets the highest at-risk children.
   
• Children who reside in communities identified as having the highest need based on state data (D300 Title I Schools).
   
• Families must complete a screening and provide required information in order to determine eligibility according to state criteria.
   
• Participation in screening does not guarantee enrollment.

Location

Our Preschool for All Expansion classrooms are located at the deLacey Family Education Center

How to Apply

Click this link to start the application process. Our staff will contact you after receiving this information

Transportation

To ensure access for children with identified needs, free transportation is provided for families living more than 1.5 miles from deLacey

Duration

Full school day (8:45am -3:00pm)

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. When completing this form, you’ll need to include proof of income, as it’s required for our state-funded preschool program.
    
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 (linked 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.

Oncewe've received your completed 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.

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 at Elizabeth.Wennerstro@d300.org for more information.