Early Childhood Education
Investment in a strong early childhood program is a top priority for Moses Lake Public Schools. Early childhood development drives success in school and life.
We are excited to offer integrated preschool opportunities for Moses Lake School District students and families. Additionally, all 11 of our elementary schools have full-day kindergartens. We are committed to embracing developmentally appropriate practices that focus on the development of the whole child in the following six areas:
- Social-Emotional
- Physical
- Cognitive
- Language
- Literacy
- Mathematics
Eligibility for Early Learning Preschool
We offer inclusive preschool classes for children that are 3 or 4 years old by August 31, 2024. Eligibility includes:
- Children that qualify for school district special education services; or
- Children from a family with a low annual income, have developmental or environmental risk factors that could affect school success; or
- All other 3-4-year-old peers (availability is limited with priority given to 4-year-old children)
- If you would like a free screening for your child, or you have questions about special education services eligibility, please complete this brief form: Child Development Form
If you are interested in our program, please complete the form below:
For more information, call (509) 766-2697
ECEAP (pronounced "E-Cap") is the Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program funded by Washington State for children 3 and 4 and, in some locations, infants or toddlers who are younger than 3 years old.
For more information, visit:
https://www.dcyf.wa.gov/services/earlylearning-childcare/eceap-headstart
For more information, visit:
https://www.dcyf.wa.gov/services/earlylearning-childcare/eceap-headstart
Integrated Preschool, staff and typical day informational videos
What does a day at preschool look like?
Meet our Staff!
What is 'Integrated Preschool'?
Is your child "Kindergarten Ready"?
Children must be 5 before August 31 to attend Kindergarten. View the registration web page for information about kindergarten registration.
Ideas to prepare your child for Kindergarten
Ideas to prepare your child for Kindergarten
- Play board games with your child to practice taking turns.
- Visit the local library.
- Set up several play dates this summer.
- Visit your child's school playground and practice playing on the equipment and following rules such as 'slides are for going down'.
- Have your child practice following one-step and two-step directions. This could easily be done by making lunch together or having them pick up their toys.
- Read to your child for a combined total of at least 20 minutes a day.
- Draw together, allowing your child time to practice using different tools (crayons, markers, pencils, sidewalk chalk).
- Have your child practice writing their name multiple ways (with playdough, using a stick in the dirt/sand, shaving cream, using sidewalk chalk, or on paper).
- Have your child practice sorting objects around the house, this is especially fun while doing chores together (sorting clothes, silverware, their toys).
- While driving in the car or shopping in a grocery store, notice letters, numbers, sign colors, or objects around them.
- Practice counting to 20 while taking a walk or driving in the car.
- Count objects together. Count everything in and out of the home. While collecting rocks is especially fun!
- Engage in pretend play together. For example, use a plain cardboard box to go on an adventure to the moon.
- Visit local parks and beaches and take time to notice the amazing wonders nature has to offer.
- Provide plenty of opportunities to allow your child to engage in free play both inside and outside the house on a daily basis.
Washington Kindergarten Inventory of Developing Skills (WaKIDS)
WaKIDS is a transition process that helps to ensure a successful start to the K-12 experience and connect the key adults in a child's life. Please visit the Washington Kindergarten Inventory of Developing Skills (WaKIDS) website.
Three Components of WaKIDS
- Family connection welcomes families into the Washington K-12 system as partners in their child's education.
- Whole-child assessment gives kindergarten teachers information about the social/emotional, physical, cognitive, language, literacy, and mathematics development of the children in their classrooms, so they may tailor their instruction to the individual needs of each child.
- Early learning collaboration aligns the practices of early learning professionals and kindergarten teachers to support smooth transitions for children.
Resources to Explore
- ECEAP (wa.gov) https://www.dcyf.wa.gov/services/earlylearning-childcare/eceap-headstart
- National Association for the Education of the Young Child (Great articles and videos for families)
- Reading Foundation (Great resources for families to promote reading)
- WaKIDS (Washington Inventory of Developing Skills Assessment)
- www.zerotothree.org
- www.dcyf.wa.gov (DEL merged with WA State Dept. of Children, Youth, and Families first part of July)
- www.cdc.gov (FREE milestone tracker app and developmental milestones checklists)
- https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/milestones/index.html
- www.parenthelp123.org (FREE online ASQ for families to complete on their child-tied to Within Reach-representative reviews the ASQ and contacts the parent if they have any questions, concerns, referral, resources, etc.)
- http://www.parenthelp123.org/child-development/child-development-screening-public
- https://fpg.unc.edu (Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute)
- http://csefel.vanderbilt.edu/ (Center on the Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning)
- https://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/ (Office of Head Start-US Dept. of Health and Human Services-Administration of Children & Families)
EARLY LEARNING FLYER
Parent Resources for Infants-Kindergarten