Why Waukee Community School District PRESCHOOL IS AN AWESOME OPTION

By Kelly Jellings

Navigating the ins and outs of school decisions, especially for your first child, can be difficult. Consider giving your child the benefit of preschool through the Waukee Community School District (Waukee CSD).

Holly Donaldson is a mom of three boys. Her two older boys, ages 7 and 8, attended preschool at Waukee CSD. Her youngest is currently a preschool student.

“Frye is obsessed with preschool with Ms. Kristin. He can’t run fast enough at drop-off. Our fourth baby (on the way) will also be a future student at Waukee Public Schools,” Donaldson says. She sent her children to Waukee preschool primarily due to the staff.

Preschoolers attend class at the Vince Meyer Early Learning Center, a historic building near the old downtown Waukee Triangle. To enroll for the 2023-24 school year, all students must be 4 years old by September 15, 2023.

“A consistent daily schedule offers a balance of learning opportunities. Learning is both formal and informal. Play is part of every day. Listening is balanced with talking, group activities with alone time, indoors with outdoors, quiet play with noisy play,” Mount says.

Caregivers can choose from two preschool sessions—morning from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. or afternoon from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. There will be 28 classes, 14 in the morning and 14 in the afternoon. Each class will have up to 18 students.

Daily activities include:

• Large and small group activities

• Self-directed play

• Centers (arts, science, writing, games/ put-together toys, books, blocks/wheel toys, pretend play)

• Storytime

• Snack

“I have worked with some of the same wonderful souls since my eldest was little. As a parent, having such a strong relationship with a teacher, who’s a huge part of their life, is important. My kids have always respected their teachers. Months or years later, I will still get an email asking about them. Good souls are hard to find!” Donaldson says.

Lyndsay Mount, Assistant Director of Student Services, says each class is led by one certified teacher, one program associate, and at least one special education associate. All preschool teachers have a teaching license issued by the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners, and are certified to teach both early childhood special education and early childhood general education.

• Individual learning

Donaldson and Mount identify four primary benefits to attending preschool with the Waukee CSD. First, there is no cost for preschool thanks to the Statewide Voluntary Preschool Grant.

“Research shows that children who participate in a quality preschool program have improved academic, social, and school readiness,” Mount says.

Second, the program is diverse and inclusive. In all, current students speak more than a dozen languages. The program accommodates students with and without identified disabilities (children served through special education programming).

The third benefit is the state-of-the-art facility. The historic building received its latest round of updates in 2020 to create a unique space for the preschool program. In addition to classrooms, there’s a big gym, a playground, and new garden plots. Finally, Donaldson praises the program’s communication.

“The weekly email message from Ms. Mount is amazing! Her leadership shines throughout Vince Meyer,” Donaldson says.

As a student in the Waukee CSD, you’ll have access to the District messaging tool (ParentSquare), and you’ll receive pictures and videos from your student’s teacher on the Seesaw app.

“Waukee preschool provides students with a strong foundation in social, academic, and general life skills that will prepare students for kindergarten and beyond,” Mount says. “Run for a spot in the preschool program. Don’t walk!” Donaldson says

To register, go to waukeeschools.org/enroll. Also, follow the preschool program on social media: @WaukeeCSDPreschool on Facebook and @WaukeePreschool on Instagram.

The students use this full-size gym when the weather isn't suitable for outside play.