General Information

Community students are welcome at the ESD Early Learning Center.

The Ellensburg School District Early Learning Center will open in mid September, 2021 for families seeking an inclusionary experience.

Private pay preschool will be offered up to four days per week for 3 hours daily.

What is an inclusive preschool classroom?

Inclusive education is a system in which students with special needs can attend school with their typically developing peers.  An inclusive preschool system integrates special education and related services into all aspects of its program.Teachers work together to provide for the needs of all students.

Inclusion is the practice of educating and caring for children with disabilities and other special needs in the same environment or setting as their typically developing peers. In an inclusive program, children with and without disabilities learn and participate in the same daily activities and routines. 

ECEAP is a comprehensive preschool program. Children who attend ECEAP learn to manage their feelings, get along with others, and follow classroom procedures.  They build the beginning skills for reading, writing, math, and science.  The program works closely with parents to support their children’s health and education and to meet family goals.  They help families access medical care, dental care, and social services.

ECEAP Curriculum

Teaching Strategies Gold

This curriculum translates new research and theory from the field of early childhood education into a practical, easy-to-understand approach to working with children and families.

Tuition Agreement Form (English)

Tuition Agreement Form (Spanish)

What are the income guidelines?

• The program is for families who meet the Federal Poverty Levels.  The chart below is only for reference.  Parents will need to complete an application interview to ensure that families qualify for the program based on age, income and various factors. 
• A limited number of spots are available for 4 year olds who are slightly above the income guidelines

2022-2023 Income Levels

How do I enroll my child?
Complete and return the application along with required documents.  You will then be contacted for an appointment if you qualify or if we need additional information.

What happens when the program is full?
Children are placed on a prioritized waiting list and spaces are filled from this list as room becomes available.  Parents will be contacted when there is an opening.

When will my child attend (days & times)?
When children are enrolled, parents will be able to choose the morning or afternoon session (until rooms are filled). One the program is full, parents will be given the next slot available.

Class hours

        Morning sessions:      8:00am-11:00am

        Afternoon sessions:   12:00pm-3:00pm

Enrollment Steps

1. Enrollment: Enrollments are done in May and the beginning of the school year.
2. Health Requirements: Prior to starting, your child will need Immunizations, a Medical well child exam and a dental exam. Forms will be given out during the enrollment.
3. Home Visits: Beginning late August, the Family Resource Specialist will contact parents to set up a home visit. This visit is to find out more about your child and to talk about your goals for him/her.
4. Orientation: An orientation will be scheduled in September. This is an opportunity for parents to see the classrooms and the school.

The First Day of School!

Classes start September 14th, 2022

Supply List

ECEAP provides crayons, paint, glue, scissors, pencils and other items to help children create, play, engage and learn. We ask parents to provide the following two supplies for their child:

• Regular size backpack (to bring all of their wonderful artwork home!)
• A change of clothes (shirt, pants, underwear and socks)

Tips and Activities for Parents and Preschoolers

Reading and Asking Quesitons

Social Emotional Skills

Physical Skills

Language Skills

Cognitive

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!

The first day of preschool is a big day for you and your child.
Here are some tips for a successful start to the first day:

The First Day
Wake up early enough so that you and your child don’t have to rush to get to preschool.
Make breakfast for your child and, if possible, sit down to eat together—or at least talk with them as they eat and you get ready.
Review the day’s routine (what preschool will be like, how your child will get to school/come home).
Pack your child’s backpack together.

Plan to stay a little while
Staying for 5-15 minutes on that first morning can help ease the transition.
Together, the two of you can experience the start to the school day.
When you see that your child is comfortable, it is time to leave.
If he/she is having a harder time getting engaged, you may want to ask your child’s teacher to stay with your child as you say good-bye so that when you leave, they can turn to another caring adult for support.

Think about creating a special good-bye routine
For example, you can give your child a kiss on the palm to “hold” all day long. Or, the two of you can sing a special song together before you leave.
Good-bye routines are comforting to children and help them understand and prepare for what will happen next.

Resist the Rescue
Try not to run back in the classroom if you hear your child crying, as upsetting as this can be. This is a big change and your child may, quite understandably, feel sad and a little scared. But if you run back in, it sends the message that they are only okay if you are there and it is likely to prolong your child’s distress and make it harder for them to adapt.
Rest assured, teachers have many years of experience with helping families make the shift to preschool. Instead, you can wait outside the classroom for a few minutes to ensure that all is well, or call the school later in the morning to check in.

Keep your tone positive and upbeat
Children pick up on the reactions of the trusted adults in their lives. So try not to look worried or sad, and don’t linger too long.
Say a quick, upbeat good-bye and reassure your child that all will be well.

How does ECEAP prepare children for kindergarten?

We use a standardized program that provides developmentally appropriate curriculum, instruction and activities to promote growth in all areas.

We assess each child throughout the year

We utilize information to make adjustment to goals

While at ECEAP, students develop the Kindergarten Readiness Skills:

• Logical thinking
• Language development
• Physical development
• Abstract thinking
• Phonological awareness
• Problem solving
• Self-confidence
• Social studies
• Study habits
• Social skills
• Writing
• Listening
• Independence
• Geography
• Science
• Math
• Literacy

General Information

Transitional Kindergarten is a full school day program focused on supporting an unmet need in our preschool community, and will run January- June, following the ESD School Calendar. 

Transitional Kindergarten is offered to students who were age 4 by August 31 and who do not otherwise have access to high quality preschool programs in our community.

Transitional Kindergarten Staff and Contact Information

Assistant Director of Early Learning and Elementary Success:  Juli Hamilton

Special Services Director:                                                                Patty Kimmel

Transitional Kindergarten Teacher:                                                 Katy Pomeroy                                                                                                                                                                                                            TBD

School Psychologist:                                                                       

Occupational Therapist:                                                                   Kristen Floan-Wood

School Nurse:                                                                                    Sally Karam                                                                                                                                                                                                                Jessica Hamer                                                                                                 

Family Support Specialist:                                                               Diana Wilson

Transitional Kindergarten Paraprofessionals:                               Angela Buddian
                                                                                                            TBD

COming Soon

Supply List

• Backpack
• Change of Clothes
• Watch for a special list from your child's teacher. 

Bridges

Joyful Literacy

IMSE/OG

Explode the Code

Second Stp

Stay Workshop 

Preschool Partners

• Creative Kids Learning Center

• Chestnut Preschool and Daycare

• ECS Preschool

• Early Childhood Learning Center

• Happy Feet

• Mercer Creek Church

Children must be 5 years old on or before August 31, 2022 to be eligible to register for kindergarten.

See new student Enrollment for more information on Kindergarten Registration Here

Right at School: Ellensburg School District has reached an agreement with Right At School to provide before- and after-school care at all four of the District’s elementary schools in the coming school year. In addition to Disguised Learning™ Activities, Right At School also offers help with homework before and after school. Families can enroll student(s) here. 

Happy Feet Daycare can be reached at the Happy Feet Academy link.

Creative Kids Daycare can be reached at the Creative Kids Learning Center.