Preschool FAQs

Yes

Students enrolling in preschool or subsequent grades must be toilet trained unless there is a documented disability or medical need for toileting assistance at school. 

12 hours. 

District 49’s preschool program is Monday through Thursday with 3 hour sessions either in the morning or afternoon.  

Before and after care is not available and we do not offer a full day option.

The district prioritizes placement of preschool children who reside within our district boundaries as follows:

• Children identified as children with disabilities pursuant to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 (the IDEIA).
• Children in their pre-kindergarten year (one year of preschool prior to eligibility for kindergarten). Priority will be given to children who attended a district preschool program as a preschool student in the previous school year.
• Children in their pre-school year (two or more years of preschool prior to eligibility for kindergarten).
• Children of full-time staff members of District 49 operated schools or departments.
• Eligible children in their pre-kindergarten year will be added to a waiting list managed by the Colorado Universal Preschool Program (UPK) algorithm when in effect. During other periods, these children will be added to a waiting list managed by the school district and served according to the priorities above. In limited instances, the district may make exceptions to the waiting list in accordance with applicable law and in the district’s sole discretion.
• Eligible children in their pre-school year will be added to a waiting list managed by the school district and served according to the priorities above. In limited instances, the district may make exceptions to the waiting list in accordance with applicable law and in the district’s sole discretion.
• Unless the child’s parent/legal guardian is a full-time staff member of District 49 operated schools or departments, families must reside within District 49 boundaries. No student will be enrolled in a school or program outside his/her attendance area without prior approval per Board policy regarding intra/inter-district choice and open enrollment.

For new students in their pre-school year:

• If we receive more applicants than we have available space for your neighborhood school, a lottery will be held to determine placement.
• You will be notified by email if your child received a spot or has been placed on a waiting list. 
• If your child receives a spot in the program, that email will serve as your acceptance letter (required for registration).
• If you receive a waiting list notification, please understand that placement of students is an ongoing process.

Yes. However, due to the limited number of state-funded Colorado Universal Preschool Program (UPK) seats available, District 49 prioritizes applications for students in their pre-school year (more than one year of preschool prior to kindergarten eligibility) based on the number of qualifying factors listed below:

1. Child is “in poverty” defined as household income less than 100% of the federal poverty guidelines, additional documentation will be required. 
2. Child is multilingual, meaning a child who is learning two or more languages at the same time, or a child who is learning a second language while continuing to develop their first language. 
3. Child is currently in foster care or in non-certified kinship care (child is being cared for by relative or family member due to safety concerns). 
4. Child is identified as homeless and/or unhoused.

NOTE:  Pre-kindergarten and pre-school students are enrolled in a manner to maintain a balanced classroom when at all possible.

Preschool provides a foundation for both social and academic skills to prepare them for life-long learning and success in life.

The most effective way for young children to learn is through PLAY - https://www.naeyc.org/our-work/families/10-things-every-parent-play.  Our classrooms are designed to engage students in developmentally appropriate activities through guided lessons and opportunities for students to create, explore and interact with their peers.  Our classrooms are structured to meet all areas of development through our many centers such as:

In the Dramatic Play Center they are learning:

• To act out real-world situations and explore different roles
• To coordinate and plan with others
• To follow social rules (cooperation, sharing, and interaction with others)
• To control impulses
• To process inner thoughts and emotions

In the Art Center they are learning:

• To understand and explore color concepts
• To foster creativity through sensory experiences
• To develop imagination and creativity by working with various objects and materials
• To express individuality, experiences, and knowledge through a variety of media
• To express interest in and show appreciation for the creative work of others

In the Writing Center they are learning:

• To develop strength and coordination of small muscles
• To encourage an interest in writing
• To understand concepts of print
• To form letters and numbers

In the Reading Center they are learning:

• To develop print awareness (left to right, top to bottom)
• To recognize letters and sounds
• To understand and interpret stories (comprehension)
• To recognize sight words

In the Block and Puzzle Center they are  learning:

• To explore spatial concepts
• To be self-confident and patient
• To improve small muscle development
• To problem solve
• To strengthen eye-hand coordination
• To measure and compare 
• To develop math and science skills 

In the Science Center they are learning:

• To observe and explore the world
• To discover how things work 
• To make predictions and comparisons to draw conclusions
• To test ideas 

In the Music and Movement area, they are learning:

• To learn creativity and self expression
• To listen
• To recognize patterns
• To explore movement of large and small muscles
• To build strength, coordination and memory
• To form basic concepts 

In the Library Center they are learning:

• To enjoy quiet moments and love for reading
• To develop independent reading skills
• To develop vocabulary and language skills
• To gather information 
• To use imagination to create stories
• To sequence events
• To take care of books

To ensure high-quality educational experiences for students and families, D49 Early Childhood Education uses the guidance of:   

Colorado Academic Standards for Preschool: 

• District 49 adheres to the Colorado Academic Standards for Preschool.  These standards guide educators to develop lessons based on what children should know and do for their age level. 

Curricula: 

• Creative Curriculum: District 49 chose this comprehensive, research-based curriculum which supports learning through studies that children find engaging. Children learn through exploration and discovery to develop confidence, creativity, and lifelong critical thinking. 
• Heggerty: supplements our literacy curriculum to provide practice and exposure to phonemic awareness skills.
• Learning Without Tears: provides developmentally appropriate instruction in handwriting. 
• Innovamat: Developmentally appropriate instruction in math concepts.

Assessment:

• Teaching Strategies GOLD: Using Teaching Strategies GOLD, our students are assessed through authentic, ongoing observations in all areas of development to support and propel their learning.

Licensing:

• All D49 preschool classrooms are licensed child care facilities through the Colorado Department of Human Services and follow its rules and regulations.

Advisory Council:

• D49 School Board and the State of Colorado requires, by statute, that the early childhood program establishes a district preschool advisory council.  Our council meets approximately six times per year to offer input and guidance, ensuring we are providing a high-quality program. If you are interested in becoming a member of our Preschool Advisory Council, please complete our Google form by clicking here.

If your child is showing significant delays or you have concerns about your child's development in the areas of learning, speech, fine and gross motor, social-emotional or adaptive skills, you may receive a screening at no cost to you from our Child Find team.

• Child Find is the process of identifying and assessing children from birth to 21 years old who may have developmental delays, be at risk of having a developmental delay due to a diagnosed medical condition, or who have an educational disability. Our team may consist of an early childhood special educator, a speech pathologist, a school psychologist, and/or a school nurse. We also provide audiological, motor, and behavioral services as needed.

D49 partners with Community Partnership for Childhood Development for Head Start to provide preschool programming at Falcon and Evans locations.