Frequently Asked Questions

Is my child eligible to enroll in Pre-K?

How do I enroll my child for Pre-K? 

A universal application including income verification is completed by all families interested in having their child enrolled into any pre-k classroom.  During the spring of each year, a mass pre-registration is scheduled and the families are invited to register at that time.  Also,  applications will be taken throughout the year on age eligible children .  The pre-registration process includes advertisements in the local newspaper with the individual dates identified for families to come to a central location (a separate Union registration will be offered to accommodate the distance a family may need to travel to access the general pre-k registration) to complete applications and gain further information about the pre-k programs/options available and enrollment into the program.  At the end of the mass pre-registration, the collaborative partners will meet to review the applications and will use a selection criterion which applies a point value to various questions on the application. 

The selections criteria will be developed by the collaborative team taking into account various child and family issues.  It will also give an extra point for those that participate in the pre-registration process.  Once the selection process is completed, placement into the pre-k classrooms will be conducted by the collaborative team taking into account the geographical location of the student and other needs of the student and family.  Families will receive letters from the team if they are on a waiting list or their application is incomplete.

Teachers will contact the families of children who are placed in their classrooms at the beginning of the school year. 

Documentation needed prior to processing the application is as follows:  1) Legal State Issued Birth Certificate, 2) up to date immunization records, 3) proof of diagnosed disability, 4) verification of income, 5) social security card and 6) current physical (within one year of first date child will be entering pre-k).

Is there an attendance procedure in place?

By enrolling your child Pre-k, your child becomes a part of a preschool classroom and a friend to each of the other children in that room.  Each school day is a lifetime opportunity to learn and be a part of the class.  When your child is absent, not only do they miss out on the day’s activities, but lose time when they can interact and learn with their classmates, their teacher and the other children and adults in the school.

Your child is important to our program and is a part of our class.  Due to limits on class size, as our classes fill up we are sometimes forced to have a waiting list of children wanting to enjoy our program.  In order to best serve each child, the following procedure must be observed.    

When a child misses four (4) consecutive, unexcused days, a phone call will be  made by staff to emphasize the benefits of regular attendance and remind the parent of the importance of regular attendance by their child. When a child has ten (10) unexcused absences within a thirty (30) day period, it shall be considered chronic absenteeism.  As per performance standards, “where chronic absenteeism persists and it does not seem feasible to include the child in either the same or a different program option, the child’s slot must be considered an enrollment vacancy.”  This means that should your child be considered to be a Chronic Absent student, your child would be dropped from our program and another child would be given the opportunity to be a part of our preschool classroom.

Please note that being tardy 5 times is equivalent to 1 absence.

Grant County Pre-k is dedicated to providing appropriate family support in cases of absenteeism and will adhere to the Grant County Schools attendance policy.

 

ANYTIME YOUR CHILD IS ABSENT FROM THE PROGRAM, IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE PARENT/GUARDIAN TO CONTACT THE CENTER ON THE DAY OF THE ABSENCE AND PROVIDE A WRITTEN NOTE THE FIRST DAY RETURNING AS TO WHY THE CHILD WAS ABSENT.

The following absences shall be EXCUSED:

1.        The center is being temporarily closed due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances.  Parents/guardians will be notified by phone when feasible.

2.        The child is ill, hospitalized or receiving medical treatment or therapy.  Upon return, a medical excuse must be submitted.  A parent may submit a note for a total of 5 days per semester when a child is ill.

3.        A family member is seriously ill, hospitalized, or receiving medical treatment or therapy.

4.        A death in the child’s immediate family.

5.        Court ordered visitation.

If you do not notify the pre k classroom of your child’s absence, a staff member will contact you to check the status of your child.