- Prairie Children Preschool
- Overview
Frequently Asked Questions
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Who can submit an application to Prairie Children Preschool?
All children applying for preschool must be residents of Indian Prairie School District 204. See District 204’s website at www.ipsd.org for school district boundary details.
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What are the age requirements to attend Prairie Children Preschool?
Children applying for our tuition program must be 3 or 4 years old by September 1 to attend Prairie Children Preschool. No exceptions will be made.
All children who are 5 on September 1 of the school year are eligible for kindergarten and are no longer eligible to attend Prairie Children Preschool during that school year. No exceptions will be made.
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Are all eligible children automatically enrolled in Prairie Children Preschool?
Preschool is not mandatory in the State of Illinois, and we have limited spots available at Prairie Children Preschool.
- All eligible children must first submit an application obtained from our preschool website.
- After the application is submitted you will be notified with confirmation of enrollment with further instructions when your child is placed.
- DO NOT complete the online registration before receiving a confirmation of enrollment. This will not be accepted. An application must be submitted as the first step.
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How do I submit an application to Prairie Children Preschool?
There are three ways to apply for preschool.
- Submit a New Student Application for the tuition program to the main campus located at 780 Shoreline Dr. Aurora, IL. You can drop it off during office hours or send by mail.
- If you are interested in a developmental screening call 630-375-3030.
- If you have moved in from another district and your child has current special education services call 630-375-3030.
PLEASE DO NOT COMPLETE AN ONLINE REGISTRATION UNTIL YOU HAVE BEEN CONTACTED WITH FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS
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What is the tuition program?
The tuition program is a 4 day per week half day preschool program for children ages 3 and 4 years old by September 1 of the current school year. Tuition students attend Monday through Thursday, 2.5 hours per day in either a morning or afternoon session. The cost is $245 per month.
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How do I apply for the tuition program?
To apply for the tuition program, please print out the New Student Application under the Application Process tab on our website. Please complete the application and return it to our office with a $30 non-refundable application fee, cash or check only. Payment of the $30 fee does not guarantee placement.
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Do you have a full day preschool program?
We do not have a full day program.
Tuition students attend Monday through Thursday for 2.5 hours in either a morning or afternoon session.
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What documents are required to complete registration for the tuition program?
After the application is accepted you will be given instructions to complete the registration. During registration, you will be required to complete a screening questionnaire, submit a non-refundable tuition deposit in the amount of $245 and complete the online registration. During the online registration, you will be required to upload the following documents:
- Three (3) documents proving residency in District 204, one of which must be a mortgage or lease
- Home Language Survey
- Child’s Birth Certificate or Passport
- Proof of current health exam/immunizations
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What if I cannot afford the tuition program?
If you cannot afford $245 per month for the tuition program, please call the office at 630-375-3030 to apply for a grant/fee waiver instead of submitting the New Student Application.
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How do I apply for a grant/fee waiver for preschool?
Please call the preschool office at 630-375-3030 and inform us you would like to apply for a grant/fee waiver. You will be required to complete and return a grant screening packet, along with proof of residency, Home Language Survey, the child’s birth certificate/passport and proof of income.
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Does my child need to be evaluated to apply for the tuition program?
Your student does not need to be evaluated to apply for the tuition program.
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When will I know if my child has been placed in the tuition program?
We begin notifying parents in April via email if their child has been placed in our tuition program for the upcoming school year. The school year starts in late August and ends in late May or early June. We continue to accept tuition applications and place children if space is available through December of each school year.
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What if my health care provider, private preschool teacher or other professional has indicated I should request a school screening?
Please contact the preschool office at 630-375-3030 and request a developmental screening.
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What is an IEP?
An IEP is an Individualized Education Plan that supports students with an identified disability starting at the age of 3 thru 21 who have qualified for special education services.
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What do I do if my student has an IEP from another public school district?
When you can prove residency in District 204, please contact the preschool office at 630-375-3030 and inform the office staff that your child has an IEP from another public school district.
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Do you have additional before and/or after school care?
We do not provide before and/or after school care.
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Do you provide bus transportation for the tuition program?
Bus transportation is not available for our tuition program. Parents must drop off and pick up their students.
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Why do some preschool students receive bus transportation?
Students who have qualified for IEP services or certain grants are eligible for bus transportation.
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How many students are in a classroom?
There are typically 15-18 students in a classroom, but there may be up to 20 students in a classroom. Classrooms are mixed age and are blended.
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How many teachers are in a classroom?
There is one certified teacher and 1 or 2 teaching assistants in every classroom. Teachers are certified in the State of Illinois with a special certificate to teach early childhood education.
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What are the health exam and immunization requirements to attend Prairie Children Preschool?
All new preschool students must provide proof of the required State of Illinois physical examination and immunizations to attend preschool. Doctors must complete an approved Illinois health form and parents must complete and sign the history portion of the form. Forms must be submitted by October 15th or within 30 days of your child’s first day of school or the child will be excluded from school. Additional information and an approved Illinois Health Form can be found on District 204’s website.
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Do preschool students need a dental or vision exam?
Preschool students are not required to obtain a dental or vision exam to attend.