Preschool

Preschool registration will take place online at ce.sowashco.org beginning on Jan. 9 through Feb. 10, 2023. After that time an initial lottery for placement at your designated school site will take place. Registrations that are fully completed will be placed in the initial placement lottery. After Feb. 11, registrations will be taken on a first come, first served basis.

If your family does not have access to a computer or need assistance, the Early Learning office staff will be happy to assist you with your registration by phone. If you have questions or need support with your registration, please call: 651-425-7160.

1. Go to sowashco.ce.eleyo.com
2. Click “Sign in” to sign in or “Create an Account”
3. Select “Explore All Programs”
4. Select “Three’s & Multi-age Preschool” or "Four's Pre-k"
5. Click “Learn More”
6. Select your first choice of class and “Enroll Now”
7. Select “Attending Child” and follow prompts
8. Mail, fax, or drop off a copy of your child’s proof of birth and immunization records.
9. Schedule an Early Childhood Screening by calling: 651-425-6175 or by email: srohr@sowashco.org

Upon making class selections, indicate your first choice by selecting that class at the beginning of the registration process. There will be an opportunity during the registration process to indicate your second choice. You will also need to provide proof of birth (birth certificate or equivalent), immunization records and proof of early childhood screening.

If you have questions related to documents necessary for enrollment, please call our Early Learning Office: 651-425-7160.

Please note: If you are registering for the 4-year-old Pre-K program, your child will not be placed in a class until Early Childhood Screening has been completed. Please call: 651-425- 6175 or email srohr@sowashco.org to schedule an appointment if your child has not completed Early Childhood Screening.

TUITION

• Nine monthly payments will be due on the 1st of each month, beginning Sept. 1, 2023 through May 1, 2024.
  • $184/month for students attending two days per week
  • $215/month for students attending three days per week
  • $371/month for students attending five days per week
• Payments received after the 5th of each month will be charged a $25 late fee.
• If your financial situation changes, please contact our office immediately to make arrangements for payment. Because our program is primarily supported by fees our fees are relied upon for operating expenses. Any nonpayment that becomes delinquent will be required to be sent to our collections if an alternative financial plan is not made with our office.
• A two-week notice is required when withdrawing your child from class. Failure to do so may result in additional charges. All outstanding balances must be paid in full.

REGISTRATION FEE

A registration fee of $85 is required at the time of enrollment. If you pay your registration fee by credit card, your card will not be processed until your child is placed into a class. All checks will be processed upon receipt. The registration fee is a one-time charge and is non-refundable once your child has been placed in a class.

Financial assistance is available for families that meet certain State eligibility requirements. Financial assistance can be applied for online when you are registering for preschool. Families may be required to provide proof of income. Those qualifying for assistance will also be required to complete a State Pathways Scholarship application. Limited district scholarships are available.

Class Confirmations processing of your registration fee will be confirmation of your child’s placement and you will receive an auto email response no later than March 31, 2023. Typically, all children are be placed in either a first or second choice depending on demand.

• Children must be three-years-old on or before Sept. 1 to attend Three's Preschool. 
• Children must be three-years and six-months on or before Sept. 1 to attend 3 1/2 - 4 year old Preschool.
• Children must be four-years-old on or before Sept. 1 to attend Four's Preschool.

DON'T FORGET!

Completion of Early Childhood Screening is required for all students in SoWashCo Schools Preschool program starting at age 3. To schedule an appointment call 651-425-6175 or schedule a screening date online. Be sure to mention your child is registering for the SoWashCo Schools Preschool program. 

Your child cannot be placed in a class if they will be 4 years old by 9/1/23 and have not yet been screened.

District transportation is limited to student's living within the boundaries of Newport Elementary based on State funding eligibility parameters and current availability. Children not attending Newport Elementary must be dropped off and picked up by an adult.

Students accepted for district transportation will receive “home to school” pick-up and drop-off. There must be an adult present when a child is dropped off. Drivers are instructed not to drop off students without adult acknowledgment (eye-to-eye) when dropping off.

As the district Preschool and Pre-K programs grow in the elementary buildings, it is our duty to partner with parents to ensure that safe practices are followed for our youngest learners. The district expectations for dropping off and picking up students are listed below as well as the transportation practices expected. We also ask that you follow your school site procedures for those safety expectations unique to the school or community site your child attends.

ARRIVAL

Parents or another designated adult must escort children to and from the classroom or the designated place where the staff will greet children each day. Children will only be released to designated individuals. Please indicate on your child’s emergency card if there are other adults who may pick up your child. An ID will be requested anytime an adult other than the child's designated  adult pick up.

If there is an emergency situation where another adult that is not listed on your child’s emergency card, must pick up your child, contact your child’s teacher and inform them in writing (email or written note) the name of the person that will pick up your child. Teachers will not release a student to a person not authorized by the parent or legal guardian.

PROMPT PICK-UP

Children attending preschool should be mostly bathroom independent, knowing when they need to use the bathroom, and are having few accidents. *Special circumstances are accommodated due to medical needs.

Preschool and Pre-Kindergarten teachers in SoWashCo Schools are required to have a solid knowledge of early childhood education and child development and hold a minimum of a 4-year college degree. Paraprofessionals are required to be “highly qualified” through their education or district assessment.

The curriculum and assessment utilized in our Preschool and Pre-Kindergarten programs follows the Minnesota Department of Education guidelines for public school Preschool programs.

Cancellation and Refund Information 

Brenda Griffin, Early Learning Office Coordinator: 651-425-7160 bgriffin@sowashco.org 

Katie Van Overmeiren, Early Learning Office Coordinator: 651-425-7181 kvanover@sowashco.org

Early Learning office fax number: 651-425-2720

Drop-In Play sessions provide the opportunity for you and your child(ren) to pop in for some parent/child ECFE fun. Most sessions are weekly and run from September through May based on the ECFE program calendar. Registration is not required and sessions are free. Space is limited to 14 children per session.

LIBERTY RIDGE SITE 2 - 11283 EAGLE VIEW BLVD., WOODBURY, MN

• Mondays 11:30 a.m. - 12:45 p.m.: Birth - 5 years
• Wednesdays 11:30 a.m. - 12:45 p.m.: Birth - 5 years
• Fridays 11:30 a.m. - 12:45 p.m.: Birth - 5 years

DROP-IN PLAY WILL NOT OCCUR ON THE FOLLOWING DATES:

Dec. 23-30; Jan. 2, Jan. 16, Jan. 23-30; Feb. 20; March 6-13; April 7, April 21, May 29

ECFE NEW BABY PARENT CONSULTATIONS

Infancy is an amazing and often unpredictable time. Connect with an ECFE Parent/Infant Specialist to get your parenting questions answered. ECFE New Baby Parent Consultations are available in-person or virtually. 

ECFE BIRTH TO 2 PARENT CONSULTATIONS

ECFE Birth to 2 Parent Consultations connect parents of young children, birth to age 2, with an ECFE Parent/Birth-2 Specialist who can offer ideas and resources to help parents adjust to life with a baby or toddler. Learn and ask questions about your child’s development, feeding and nutrition, sleep, local community resources, and more! ECFE Birth to 2 Parent Consultations are available in-person or virtually. 

ECFE EARLY CHILDHOOD (AGE 3 TO 8) PARENT CONSULTATIONS

ECFE Home Visits and Parent Consultations provide an opportunity for families with young children ages birth to 8 years, to ask parenting questions or share their concerns with a licensed Parent Educator. Home visits and consultations are provided in-person or virtually. Connect with us today for help with:

• Supporting children's emotional well-being
• Answering developmental questions
• Connecting with community resources…and much more!

To request a free ECFE New Baby, Birth to 2, or Early Childhood (ages 3-8) Home Visit or Parent Consultation contact Beth Quist, ECFE Outreach Coordinator at bquist@sowashco.org or 651-425-7163.

South Washington County Schools ECFE offers FREE training opportunities for community-based early learning programs and preschools located within the South Washington County Schools district boundaries. Community-based training opportunities are taught by district early childhood licensed specialists and include a menu to select from that is individualized to the early learning program’s unique preschool experience.

Choose from:

• Parent and Child (PAC) Nights (Designed for families)
• Parent Presentations (Designed for families)
• Professional Development (Designed for staff)

Early childhood education & training for parents, caregivers, and teachers

For additional information, please contact Beth Quist, ECFE Outreach Coordinator at bquist@sowashco.org or 651-425-7163.

The Courageous Parents - Resilient Kids program series was made thanks to a grant from WellSpring.

Click the on links below to view each recorded program session.

Session One:

Being Brave: Helping Our Children Manage Stress and Anxiety

Session Two:

Brain and Body Connection: Understanding Your Child's Behavior

Session Three:

Race: Seeing the World Through Our Children's Eyes

Session Four:

Strategies for Supporting Your Child's Mental Health and Wellbeing 

Session Five:

Self Care: Filling Your Cup so You can Fill Your Child’s Cup

Trusted parenting information, resources and activities to help your children grow, develop and learn from birth through age 5. If you have concerns about your child's development, you can request a free, confidential developmental screening or evaluation through Help Me Grow. Early childhood experts from your local school district will contact you.

http://helpmegrowmn.org/HMG/index.htm

Connects parents and parenting families with young children (birth-8 years old) and services in their local communities that support healthy child development and family well-being.

https://helpmeconnect.web.health.state.mn.us/HelpMeConnect