PCS considering changes to preschool age qualifications
By Becky Uehling
Grant Tribune-Sentinel
Perkins County Schools is pursuing the restructuring of its preschool to include 4 and 5-year-olds only and eliminate preschool for 3-year-olds.
The PC Board approved a request during its Monday, Feb. 20 meeting from Perkins County Preschool teacher Brandie Ross and School Psychologist Shalee Pollard to pursue the idea for two reasons: 1) to eliminate the large developmental gap that is present between 3-year-olds and 4 and 5-year-olds, and 2) to prevent the aging out of 5-year-olds who could use additional, or transitional, schooling before going to kindergarten.
Currently, the PCS Preschool takes 3 and 4-year-olds who have reached that age by July 31 of the year they will attend. Because of the current age rule, there are some children who have turned 5 in preschool, before the July 31 deadline and are eligible for kindergarten, but who are not ready either academically, and/or socially and emotionally, Ross said.
However, because of the current age structure of the preschool, those 5-year-olds who are not ready for kindergarten but have aged out, are not allowed to return to preschool, with their guardians either sending them on to kindergarten or to daycare, Ross said.
According to Ross, she had nine 5-year-olds last year who would have qualified for transitional schooling before kindergarten and she has eight this year who would qualify.
“This change would prevent those 5-year-olds (who have aged out of preschool and are not ready for kindergarten) from having to take time off after being in preschool for a year,” she said. “This way they could stay in school and go directly to kindergarten when they are ready.”
Currently the PC Preschool has 36 students—18 in the morning, made up of 10 3-year-olds and eight 4-year-olds, and 18 in the afternoon, which is made up of all 4-year-olds.
As far as the school is aware, PCS is the only preschool in Grant and Perkins County, with the Perkins County Hospital’s preschool closing approximately two years ago, Ross said.
The proposal by Ross and Pollard would take all 4 year-olds in the morning, with the afternoon consisting of 5-year-olds and then filled in with older 4-year-olds, Ross said.
Because of state law, the class with the 5-year-olds would have to be renamed as a transitional kindergarten class instead of preschool, with the 5-year-olds being enrolled as kindergartners, she said. Children who turn 5 between Jan. 1 and July 31st would be eligible for the transitional program.
Although 3-year-olds would not be coming to the preschool consistently, Ross said she would like to welcome 3-year-olds to the school once a month during a socialization/observation time to allow school staff to help parents identify any needs the 3-year-old have, and also allow the children to become familiar with the school.
Ross pointed out that the 3-year-olds would be served through other community services such as the library program, family nights at the school and ESU Child Find events.
During the meeting, PC Board President Chris Fryzek said he liked the idea presented, saying that he feels that developmentally, the 3-year-olds are better served in a daycare or home setting.
The board asked Ross and Pollard to continue exploring the option and to report back to them at their March meeting.