Pre-K
Pre-K is an exciting time for children as they work to develop abilities and independence that will help prepare them for Kindergarten and beyond.
The Pre-K program is for four-year-old's one year prior to starting kindergarten. Children must be age four on or before Sept. 1. The program is located at most elementary school sites and offers programming five days per week with morning and afternoon half-day options. Parents are responsible for their child's transportation to and from school.
Jump to Section:
Pre-Kindergarten Sites | Registration Information | Enrollment Requirements | Questions and Answers | Parent Resources | Early Learning Blog
Contact
Enrollment Questions:
Brenda Griffin
Office Coordinator
651-425-7160
bgriffin@sowashco.org
Program Supervision:
Joyce Beaird
Early Learning Family Services Manager
651-425-7169
jbeaird@sowashco.org
Pre-K is offered at the following schools:
- Armstrong Elementary
- Bailey Elementary
- Cottage Grove Elementary
- Crestview Elementary
- Grey Cloud Elementary**
- Hillside Elementary
- Newport Elementary*
- Pine Hill Elementary
- Pullman Elementary
- Royal Oaks Elementary
- Valley Crossing Elementary
- Woodbury Elementary
Pre-K is offered to the following schools and held at
Liberty Ridge Site II (11283 Eagle View Blvd., Suite 102
Woodbury, MN 55129):
- Liberty Ridge Elementary
- Middleton Elementary
- Red Rock Elementary
*Newport Pre-Kindergarten is available only to Newport school boundary residents based on school specific state funding. All other school sites are available to residents and non-residents based on availability.
** Due to space constraints, Grey Cloud Elementary Pre-K for 2022-23 will be located at Hillside Elementary.
Program sites and availability are subject to change. There is an $85 application fee due at the time of enrollment.If you are interested in two or three day options, check out our Multi-age preschool schedule with classes at various times and days at these locations:
- Liberty Ridge Site II
- Pine Hill Elementary
- Valley Crossing Elementary
Registration Information
- Online Registration
- How to Register
- Selecting a Class and Required Documents
- Tuition and Registration Fee
- Financial Assistance
- Class Confirmation
- Early Learning Enrollment Contacts
Online Registration
How to Register
Selecting a Class and Required Documents
Tuition and Registration Fee
Financial Assistance
Class Confirmation
Early Learning Enrollment Contacts
Enrollment Requirements
Questions and Answers
- What age can my child begin attending Pre-K?
- What is early childhood screening and why is it required?
- Is Pre-K different than Preschool and Early Childhood Family Education?
What age can my child begin attending Pre-K?
What is early childhood screening and why is it required?
Is Pre-K different than Preschool and Early Childhood Family Education?
Parent Resources
- Helpful Links
- Drop-In Play Sessions
- Early Childhood Home Visits, Consultations, and Family Support
- ECFE Consultation and Support for Licensed Family Child Care Providers
- Courageous Parents - Resilient Kids Program Series
- Minnesota Help Me Grow
- Help Me Connect
Helpful Links
Drop-In Play Sessions
Early Childhood Home Visits, Consultations, and Family Support
ECFE Consultation and Support for Licensed Family Child Care Providers
Courageous Parents - Resilient Kids Program Series
Minnesota Help Me Grow
Help Me Connect
Early Learning Blog
Along with the joy of becoming a parent comes a lot of questions about raising a child. It can be hard to find answers and information. Our Early Learning blog can provide the information you seek. Written by one of our own ECFE Licensed Parent Educators, each blog offers insight into child development, parenting strategies, and other important topics that can support parents during their parenting journey. View our extensive blog library of topics as well as our most recent post below:
From the time we learn that we are about to become a parent, most of us start to think about or wonder what our child will be like. We might develop a picture in our minds of who our children will be as they grow. We might wonder whom our child will take after, what they will like/dislike, and much more. The reality is that once our child has arrived, we might quickly learn that they are their own unique person. No two kids are exactly the same. As parents, one of the greatest gifts we can give our children is to embrace and encourage our child’s uniqueness. This of course is not nearly as easy as it sounds.
Theodore Roosevelt once said, “Comparison is the thief of joy.” This is true and something parents should keep in mind as they parent their children and not compare them to other children. We also need to hold this truth in our hearts as we look at other families and parents. It can be so tempting to look at another parent and think, “How can they be so put together?” or “They have it all figured out.” Meanwhile, you feel like you are drowning and barely making it through the day. The reality is that most parents feel this way at some point. Some of us might feel it a little more often while others might just be better at hiding it.
“Enjoy this time. Before you know it, they will be grown, and you will miss this” “This time goes by so fast. Enjoy every moment!” “I just loved every moment of parenting my kids. You better enjoy this time because it will be over before you know it.” Have you heard these messages or something like them before? It is common for parents to be told to enjoy every moment of being a parent because as the saying goes, “the days are long, but the years are short.” And this is true, but what is not true is that we must enjoy every moment of being a parent
In my last blog post, Top 5 Things to Avoid with Your Kids, I discussed not paying for chores. This has sparked some conversation and questions so I thought now would be a great time to focus on the when, what, how, and who of chores and allowances.