Preschool

• Preschool prepares children for kindergarten by incorporating literacy, math, science, social studies, art, social/emotional development, and physical development into its curriculum. Preschool is aligned with the Spring Lake Park Schools kindergarten program.
• Children attend independently two to five days per week
• Attend preschool in the elementary school that your child will attend for kindergarten-4th grade or, if you are interested in a different class, check out one of our other sites. Visit SpringLakeParkSchools.org/AttendanceBoundary to see what neighborhood school your child will attend.
• To complete your application you will need to bring the two required documents to the District Services Center (see list below). 
  • Child's most recent Immunization records
  • Child's original Birth Certificate (with state seal)
• Copies will be made of each document and the original given back to you.  Your Preschool spot will not be reserved for you without the two required documents.
• Drop  off at at District Service Center (1415 81st Ave NE, Spring Lake Park) M-F, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Classes for 4-year-olds

*Please note that at this time all of our AM classes are FULL- please register only if you want to be on the waitlist

• $2,496 annually,  $16.00 per day billed & due weekly
  • Monday-Friday, 1-3:30 p.m., Centerview 
• $1,684 annually, $18.50 per day billed & due weekly
  • *Monday/Wednesday/Friday, 9:30 a.m.-noon, Centerview - class is currently full, new registrations will put on a waitlist
  • *Monday/Wednesday/Friday, 9:30 a.m.-noon, Northpoint - class is currently full, new registrations will put on a waitlist
  • Monday/Wednesday/Friday, 1-3:30 p.m., Northpoint - Still has openings
  • Monday/Wednesday/Friday, 9:30 a.m.-noon, Park Terrace - Still has openings
  • Monday/Wednesday/Friday, 1-3:30 p.m., Park Terrace - Still has openings

Classes for 3-year-olds 

*Please note that at this time all of our AM classes are FULL- please register only if you want to be on the waitlist

• $1,349 annually, $20.75 per day billed & due weekly
  • *Tuesday/Thursday, 9:30 a.m.-noon, Centerview - class is currently full, new registrations will put on a waitlist
  • *Tuesday/Thursday, 9:30 a.m.-noon Northpoint - class is currently full, new registrations will put on a waitlist
  • Tuesday/Thursday, 9:30 a.m.-noon, Park Terrace -Still has openings
  • Tuesday/Thursday, 1-3:30 p.m., Park Terrace - Still has openings

To see if you will qualify for reduced tuition, visit the Sliding Fee Scale in the Preschool Registration section on this page and then chose the Financial Assistance Preschool Classes tab.

Register for Preschool

This program offers a pre-kindergarten experience for families interested in Spanish Immersion.

• Children have a great capacity for second language comprehension at this age. Children in this class will become comfortable hearing Spanish spoken and will begin to understand phrases and directions in Spanish.
• Students who attend Spanish Immersion class will have the opportunity to learn their preschool skills and begin to use the Spanish language.
• To complete your application you will need to bring the two required documents to the District Services Center (see list below). 
  • Child's most recent Immunization records
  • Child's original Birth Certificate (with state seal)
• Copies will be made of each document and the original given back to you.  Your Preschool spot will not be reserved for you without the two required documents.
• Drop  off at at District Service Center (1415 81st Ave NE, Spring Lake Park) M-F, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Classes for 4-year-olds

• $1,684 annually,  $18.50 per day billed & due weekly
  • Monday/Wednesday/Friday, 9:30 a.m.-noon, Woodcrest Spanish Immersion.

To see if you will qualify for reduced tuition, visit the Sliding Fee Scale in the Preschool Registration section on this page and then chose the Financial Assistance Preschool Classes tab.

Families must apply for the following free preschool classes.

• You will be required to provide supporting documentation to match the financial qualifier chosen during registration.
• Child’s original certified Birth Certificate (with state seal)
• Child's most recent Immunization records

register for free preschool classes

This program offers kindergarten readiness for your child and child care while you work. Discovery Days prepares children for kindergarten by incorporating literacy, math, science, social studies, art, social/emotional development, and physical development into its curriculum.

• Flexible scheduling options to meet the needs of your family. Customize your schedule based on the following:
  • Three to five days a week, Monday through Friday
  • Full day, 7 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
  • Partial day, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
• Children are eligible if they are 3- or 4-years-old by September 1, 2021 and are toilet trained

Classes for 4-year-olds

• Flexible scheduling at Centerview
• Flexible scheduling at District Services Center

Classes for 3-year-olds

• Flexible scheduling at District Services Center
• Flexible scheduling at Centerview

Tuition rates for Discovery Days vary due to the flexible scheduling options. Click here to learn more about Discovery Days.

register for Discovery Days

This summer program offers kindergarten readiness for your child and child care while you work. Limited spots are available for summer 2021.

• Children are eligible if they are 3- or 4-years-old by June 1, 2021 and are toilet trained.

Classes for 3-year-olds and 4-year-olds

• Monday, June 14-Friday, August 27, 2021

• Flexible scheduling, Monday-Friday

Tuition rates for Discovery Days vary due to the flexible scheduling options. Click here to learn more about Discovery Days.

For more information or to RegisteR

There is non refundable $25 charge per registration.

• Tuition is charged weekly
• Auto-payment with credit card or checking account set up in your Eleyo account

Yes, reduced tuition is available for the half day preschool classes for families who qualify (excluding the five day per week class). To see if you will qualify for reduced tuition, visit  Sliding Fee Scale in the Preschool Registration section on this page and then chose the Financial Assistance Preschool Classes tab.

If you are applying for the free tuition or the sliding fee,  you must provide supporting documentation to match the financial qualifier chosen during registration.  You can provide in person at the District Service Center at 1415 81st Ave NE, Spring Lake Park. Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m or e-mail to earlychildhood@district16.org or fax to 763-600-5913. 

• School year cancellation must be received by the 15th of each month and will be effective the 1st of the following month
• Early Childhood must receive a written notice with the parent/guardian’s signature to implement the cancellation. The registration fee is never refunded.

Spring Lake Park Schools preschool programs will help your child prepare for Kindergarten as well as develop skills for lifelong learning. Our curriculum follows the standards outlined in the Minnesota Early Childhood Indicators of Progress and is aligned with our district’s K-5 standards. Licensed teachers develop hands-on learning activities that promote creativity and confidence. Lessons are designed to meet each student’s individual needs and interests. Our program provides children with experiences that build relationships, enhance critical thinking and communication skills, and sets the foundation for successful, life-long learning in the areas of: 

• Social and Emotional Development 
• Positive Approaches to Learning 
• Language, Literacy and Communication 
• Movement and Physical Development 
• Math 
• Arts 
• Science

Once you have an online child care or preschool account set up, you are able to log in to do several things, including:

• Set up or make changes to your auto-pay account using your credit card, checking or savings account
• Make payments to your account
• View and print invoices, receipts and tax statements
• Register new contracts (if the program allows)
• Request drop-in days (if the program allows)
• Request non-school day registrations (if the program allows)
• Update contact and family information
• Manage authorized pick-ups

Access your account

Yes.  Minnesota law requires that your child be screened before enrollment in public school kindergarten Early Childhood. Screening is a free, quick and simple check of your child's development. Learn more about Early Childhood Screening.

Locations for Preschool Classes:

• Centerview Elementary School (10365 Davenport Street NE, Blaine, MN 55449)
• District Services Center (1415 81st Ave NE, Spring Lake Park, MN 55432)
• Northpoint Elementary School (2350 124th Court NE, Blaine, MN 55449)
• Park Terrace Elementary School (8301 Terrace Road, Fridley, MN 55432)
• Woodcrest Elementary School (880 Osborne Road NE, Fridley, MN 55432)

Location for ECFE Classes:

District Services Center (1415 81st Ave NE, Spring Lake Park, MN 55432)

Morning Preschool classes are 9:30 a.m.-noon

Afternoon Preschool classes are 1-3:30 p.m.

Early Childhood Office phone: 763-600-5900

Early Childhood Office fax: 763-600-5913

Early Childhood Attendance phone (24 hour): 763-600-5909

Age Categories and Staff/Child Ratios:

Children are supervised at all times while in the Preschool Program. Preschool accommodates 20 preschool children in a classroom. The staff to child ratio is 1:10 or less.

Program Philosophy:

The main focus of Spring Lake Park Preschool is to promote learning through a child-centered hands-on environment.

• A positive self-image is a basic ingredient to educational success and can be developed during the preschool years in a warm, nurturing environment.
• The Preschool Program offers experiences that enhance the child's self-concept both in group and individual situations.
• Our program seeks to meet the individual needs of each child in the areas of emotional, social, intellectual, language, and physical development.
• A challenging and stimulating program, as well as the security of a routine, will build upon the continuing growth of the preschooler.
• Each child and parent has the basic right of respect from the staff. Ideas and feelings are respected; individual differences are respected; race and religion are respected.

Program Goals:

• Motivation for Learning: To facilitate the joy of learning which reflects the developmental needs of each child through active involvement with his/her preschool environment.
• Physical Development: To provide each child opportunities in individual and group interactions that develop fine and gross motor skills.
• Emotional Development: To provide a supportive environment for each child to feel good about him/herself, and to develop positive ways to express his/her emotions.
• Social Development: To provide a wide range of opportunities for each child to develop positive social relationships between him/herself and their peers.
• Cognitive Development: To create opportunities in the child's environment where he/she can practice and master basic learning concepts.
• Creative Development: To provide an environment that encourages self-expression in a variety of creative activities.
• Language Development: To provide each child a variety of opportunities that enhance the development of language.
• Parent Involvement: To develop a cooperative parent-teacher relationship and to provide opportunities for parents to be involved in their child's preschool experience.

Regular communication between parents and teachers helps to make your child’s learning a partnership! Parents are welcomed to contact the teaching staff at any time during the school year. In addition, we offer several opportunities during the year for a more formal time to talk:

• Orientation in September is a time to get to know your classroom and staff.

• Family Connect in October is a time for you and your teacher to share information about your child’s strengths and interests and other information that is important to your child’s success in school. Several options to connect including in person and phone or email will be offered.

• Family Connect in February, we will discuss your child’s academic, physical, social, and emotional development.

More information will be sent home during the school year.

• Weekly Tuition Payments: Tuition is due weekly. Payment is due on the first day of the school week. Invoices are sent via email. Visa, MasterCard, Discover Card, or checks payable to “Community Education” are acceptable.  Auto-Pay is available with a credit card or checking account. You may mail or drop off your payment to the Community Education Office (1415 81st Avenue NE, Spring Lake Park, MN 55432  Door #12).  Please include the child’s name with the payment to ensure your account is properly credited. If you have signed up for automatic payments, your credit card/checking account will be charged on the 1st day of school week.  You may sign-up for automatic payments at any time throughout the year, please log on to your Eleyo account to make changes.
• Past Due Accounts: Accounts that are not paid after the 4th day that they are due are considered past due & will be considered delinquent and will be subject to late fees. If your account is delinquent, you will be given notice that you may be suspended from the preschool program. If suspended from the program, you will still remain responsible for the tuition and fees incurred to the date of the suspension as well as any possible future fees incurred in the collection of your account.
• Withdrawal: Withdrawal from the program or other contractual changes requires written notification to the Early Childhood Office or the Community Education office 2 weeks in advance. Phone notification or lack of attendance is not acceptable notice and tuition will continue to be assessed per the contract rate until written notice is received. You will be held responsible for all fees through the two-week notice date.
• Sliding Fee for Discounted Tuition: Applicants must provide verification of income to apply for sliding fee tuition. You must turn in one of the following forms:
  • Most recent IRS Federal Income Tax Form (page that has number of people in household and household annual income) or an official form documenting current enrollment in SNAP, MFIP, ACCAP, or foster care (we will make a copy for our records).
  • If an older sibling qualifies for free or reduced priced meals, families may bring in the application approval instead of the above documents.
• Additional Fees: Should we receive a check for tuition or fees that has been returned to us by our bank, we must charge a $25.00 handling fee. Two occurrences of returned checks will make it necessary to receive all future preschool payments in cash.
• A Late Pick-up Fee of $5.00 per 5-minute increment beyond the end of class will be charged per child. If you cannot pick up your child by the end of class time, please call the child’s classroom. Staff will remain with your child and will attempt to reach the parent and the emergency numbers. If no one can be reached, the child will be taken to the school office.
• Extended Absence or Delayed Start: To reserve a Preschool slot during an extended absence or delayed start, payment must be made in full for the time requested before the event. If you choose not to pay the tuition, the Preschool spot will be given to the next person on the waiting list and the absentee child's name will be placed at the end of the waiting list for return to Preschool.

Teachers will periodically send home information about projects parents will do at home with their child. Take home projects are a great way for parents to be involved in their child’s learning and show them how important school is in your family.

We believe that birthdays are special days for young children. As a school district, we are implementing new procedures to recognize birthdays while promoting a healthy school environment.

We are asking parents to not bring food or other treats to their child’s classroom to celebrate a birthday. Instead of bringing a treat, students may choose to bring a non-food item to share with the class, or as an alternative, a book or rainy day game may be donated to the class.

Classroom teachers provide a variety of age-appropriate events for students on their birthdays. These special events may include: cards from the teacher and/or classmates, wearing a special birthday crown or hat, having special classroom privileges, and singing a “Happy Birthday” song. Check with your child’s teacher to see what would be acceptable. As always, advance notice of your plans is appreciated.

Spring Lake Park Schools Preschool will not exclude any child based on race, religion, or disability. The Spring Lake Park Schools Early Childhood Special Education department integrates children into the preschool classrooms. Staff for both programs has made this cooperative effort a positive learning experience for everyone involved.

• An alert notification will be sent to you by phone, text, and e-mail based upon information/preferences provided

• An easy-to-find Alert Message will be posted on the top of each page on district and school websites: SpringLakeParkSchools.org

• WCCO Radio, WCCO-Channel 4, KARE-11, KMSP Fox 9, and KSTP-5 will be among the local media contacted

Many of our activities are active and messy. We encourage your child to wear casual, comfortable clothing. Sometimes “accidents” occur for various reasons. An extra set of clothes kept in your child's backpack is suggested, especially jeans and socks. Occasionally children may be sent home in “school clothing” due to an “accident.” We request you wash these items and return them to Preschool.

Most days, the children go outside to play on a playground, so we suggest sending your child to school in tennis shoes or shoes with straps so the children can run without shoes falling off. Also, in the winter, please send your child to school with winter appropriate clothing (snow pants, boots, winter coat, gloves, scarf, hat, etc).

Please label your child's items that we can keep track of each student's clothes.

Each child enrolled in preschool must have on file a documented record of current immunizations, a medical exemption, or a notarized statement of parental objection to immunization. This record is due when you register your child for class. Immunization information must be updated annually. You can turn them in:

• Drop off at District Service Center (1415 81st Ave NE, Spring Lake Park)
• Send via email to earlychildhood@district16.org
• Send via fax to the Early Childhood fax number at 763-600-5913

Preschool student Absent line : 763-600-5909.   Please provide your child's name, spelling of name, your name, number to reach you and reason for the absence.   If your child has COVID symptoms, please include that in the message so a nurse can contact you for details.

Preschool student Absent line : 763-600-5909.   Please provide your child's name, spelling of name, your name, number to reach you and reason for the absence.   If your child has COVID symptoms, please include that in the message so a nurse can contact you for details.

Here is a link for district Covid Information/Updates/Guidelines.  Covid

If a child becomes sick while in the program, the child will be isolated from other children and the parent will be contacted immediately. The child will be supervised at all times If a child contracts a communicable disease (strep throat, chicken pox, etc.), parents are required to inform the teaching staff within 24 hours so that other parents may be notified.

Exclusion of Sick Child

Please keep your child home if they have any of the following:

1. Vomiting within the last 24 hours
2. Diarrhea within the last 24 hours
3. Fever of 100 degrees Fahrenheit or higher in the last 24 hours
4. Rash of unknown origin
5. Yellow or green drainage from the eye

Procedures for Minor Injuries

In the event of minor injuries, program staff will treat the injured child according to Spring Lake Park Schools First Aid Policies (all staff hold current First Aid Certification) or may bring the child to the school nurse for treatment. An accident report will be completed and parents will be notified of the incident.

Bathroom Issues

Please encourage your child to use the bathroom before coming to school. Children without special needs should be “toilet trained” before starting preschool. If your child is still having accidents, we will work with you to help the child be fully trained, but children should not attend in diapers.

Supplemental Student Accident Insurance

Spring Lake Park Schools and all of its employees work hard to ensure that every student has a safe and rewarding experience while attending our schools. Even with this environment and the many precautions we take, accidents can happen while students are at school.

You may or may not be aware that the school district does not provide insurance coverage for students during the time they spend on school grounds. If a child has an accident while attending school during the day or while participating in after school activities, the family’s health insurance carrier would cover any related expenses.

We have made it relatively convenient for families to purchase Student Accident Insurance through Special Markets Insurance Consultants, Inc. and underwritten by Sentry Life Insurance Company for the upcoming school year. This program is completely voluntary. Each family should examine their health insurance coverage as well as co-pays and deductible limits to determine if this supplemental coverage would be a benefit to them. If you are interested in exploring a supplemental insurance coverage, by August 15, we will have a link on the school district’s website that will make available a variety of insurance coverage options for families to consider for their students. If you have questions about this service, you can call the Business Office at 763-600-5030.

Behavior Guidance

Behavior Guidance in the preschool program is based on the idea that 3-5 yr. old children are in the process of developing socially and emotionally and that staff must understand and respect children before they can work with them effectively. Staff will make every effort to determine what reasonable expectations are for the particular child at a particular age. Staff understands that the environment will be designed so that as far as possible it will be easy and comfortable for the children to behave in ways which, at least, do not substantially detract from program harmony.

Staff will use positive guidance techniques for behavior management in the classroom. The following is a list of those positive guidance techniques.

1. Prepare a good environment, challenging and conducive to learning.
2. Set limits that are consistent and fair.
3. Talk with children in private concerning discipline issues.
4. Be a good model - model appropriate expressions of feeling and demonstrate coping skills.
5. Ignore inappropriate behavior (behavior that is not harmful to self or others).
6. Notice good behavior - praise and use positive reinforcement.
7. Prepare children for the natural consequence of their actions.
8. Help children solve problems and make choices. Give children a choice or alternative when appropriate.
9. Distract children from potential problems. Redirect to another activity.
10. Remove the child from the situation if harmful to self or others.
11. Maintain thorough observation of the group at all times.

Pick-up/Release of Children

When someone other than the usual person who transports a child to or from Preschool is coming for pick-up, please call the teacher ahead of dismissal or send a note with the child. When a person who is not a parent or the usual person to transport attempts to pick-up a child, the staff person will check the child’s’ enrollment form and:

1. if the person is on the form as authorized to pick-up the child, staff will ask for identification (a picture ID) before releasing the child;
2. if the person is unauthorized, staff will apologize for the inconvenience but indicate that the program is not permitted to release the child and that the parent/guardian will need to be contacted (in the case of an irate person or difficult situation, the staff person can contact other staff, administrators, or the police); or
3. If the person is designated on the enrollment form as neither authorized nor unauthorized the parent must be contacted for permission to release the child. Children will not be released to persons who are not authorized to take the child from the program.

If a child is not picked-up

When a child is not picked-up, staff will remain with the child and:

1. Call the parent’s home and work telephone numbers as listed on the enrollment form
2. If no answer, call other emergency telephone numbers as listed on the enrollment form
3. If no answer, contact program administrator to determine at what point staff needs to be relieved
4. Remain with the child as long as possible or until a replacement person arrives
5. If no one can be reached by phone by the end of our office hours the police will be contacted.

See Late Pickup Fee Policy under Preschool Billing Information.

Fire Prevention, Evacuation, and Emergency

The center shall have posted the primary and secondary fire exits, the building evacuation route. Community Services personnel will follow Spring Lake Park Schools disaster plans regarding fire drills, blizzards, tornados, bomb threats, and emergency school closings.

Emergency Procedures

In the event of an emergency requiring immediate medical attention the on-site school nurse will be available and staff will contact 911 and the child's parents. Preschool staff will take whatever emergency measures are judged necessary for the care and protection of your child while under their supervision. In a life-threatening situation, 911 will be called first. Any expenses incurred are the parent responsibility.

In cases where the parent is unable to be reached, the persons identified as the responsible party on the enrollment form will be contacted. When none of the above can be reached, Community Services staff will contact 911 to transport the child to the nearest hospital (Unity Hospital in Fridley).

For these reasons, all emergency names and telephone numbers must be kept up to date.

Media permission and directory information
Photos, video, stories and other information highlighting student learning and achievement captured in our schools is considered public record. We share positive achievements in yearbooks, on the website, in newsletters and articles and the district’s other official communication channels that often include images and names.

Families can request specific “directory information” (student name, picture, other information) remain private by submitting a written request to the school principal or administrative assistant. Requests should include the student’s name, school, relationship of the person requesting and the specific information that is to remain private.

You can read the Media Permission/Directory Notification in English and Spanish and review our district policy on this topic, Policy 515: Protection and Privacy of Pupil Records.