Preschool Information
Attention: For the 2020-2021 academic year, there may be changes regarding the acceptance of children who are developing typically (peer-model students). Please check back in mid-December for more information.
The FHSD preschool program is designed to meet the diverse needs of all students by creating an engaging community of learners ages 3 to 5 years old. Classes are comprised of children with a wide range of abilities including children who are developing typically (tuition-paying) and children with identified special needs.
Admissions requirement for typically developing preschool children:
Tuition-paying students must be age 3 on or before August 1st of the enrolling school year.
Admission requirement for children with special needs:
Students with identified special needs must be 3 years old before they can begin to receive Special Education and Related Services.
The Ohio Department of Education requires all children entering the program to participate in speech/language, cognitive skills, gross/fine motor skills, and social-emotional behavior screenings. Students with disabilities attend preschool tuition-free as part of a free and appropriate education. Each school day includes group time, snacks, music appreciation, dramatic play, large muscle development, and small muscle development. The curriculum of the program incorporates the Ohio Department of Education Early Learning and Development Standards for preschool children. These research-based standards serve as the foundation for meaningful early learning experiences by addressing the following areas of development: social-emotional, approaches toward learning, cognitive development and general knowledge, language and literacy development, and physical well-being and motor development.
Click here to learn more about Ohio's kindergarten readiness skills.
The Forest Hills School District preschool program is recognized for excellence
Sherwood Elementary School and Summit Elementary School have received the 5-Star Step Up To Quality Award from the Ohio Department of Education and Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. Step Up To Quality is a rating and improvement system. The system recognizes and promotes learning and development programs that meet quality program standards that exceed preschool licensing and school age child care licensing health and safety regulations. Step Up To Quality program standards are based on national research identifying standards which lead to improved outcomes for children.
Additional program details
- Located at Sherwood Elementary and Summit Elementary for all FHSD PK students
- Each class has one teacher, one paraprofessional, and up to 16 students
- Operates Monday through Thursday
- Morning sessions: 9:15 a.m.- 12 p.m.. * Afternoon sessions: 1 p.m.-3:45 p.m.
- Parents are responsible for providing transportation for tuition-paying children
Registration
Special Education Preschool Services: Please call Patty Dold, administrative assistant, at pattydold@foresthills.edu or 231-3600 prior to registering.
Click here if you have been instructed to register for the special education preschool evaluation.
If you're having difficulties with the link above, please click here and scroll down to "Click here for 2019-2020 registration."
Typical Preschool Services: FHSD uses an online lottery system for acceptance into the Preschool programs at Sherwood Elementary and Summit Elementary. The lottery will be open for the 2020-21 school year from February 1st through February 23rd, 2020. The lottery drawing will occur on February 25th, 2020. All families will be notified of the lottery results by email. Once accepted, parents can begin registration procedures. Parents of students who are drawn in the lottery will have one week to complete registration and pay a tuition deposit of $100. Students who are not drawn in the lottery will be placed on a wait list. Contact Patty Dold, administrative assistant, at pattydold@foresthills.edu or 231-3600 with questions.
REQUIRED REGISTRATION DOCUMENTS:
- parent/guardian driver’s license
- official birth certificate
- custody papers (if applicable)
- proof of residence (mortgage deed, rental/lease agreement)
- current immunization records (if applicable)
- ETR/IEP/504 reports/documents (if applicable)
Pay tution and fees:
Click here to pay tuition and fees for preschool.
PRESCHOOL GUIDE AND ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
2019-2020 Preschool guide and staff information
Developmental resources for 3-year-olds
Developmental resources for 4-year-olds
Developmental resources for 5-year-olds
Ohio's Early Learning Assessment
HEALTHCHEK
Healthchek is Ohio's Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment Program. It is a service package for babies, kids and young adults younger than age 21 who are enrolled on Ohio Medicaid. The purpose of Healthchek is to discover and treat health problems early. If a potential health problem is found, further diagnosis and treatment are covered by Medicaid. Healthchek covers ten check-ups in the first two years of life and annual check-ups thereafter and offers a comprehensive physical examination. You can read more information here.
HEAD START
The Hamilton County Educational Service Center operates a Head Start program at Mercer Elementary for children ages 3- to 5-years- old. The half-day classes taught by qualified early childhood teachers are intended to help children enter kindergarten ready to learn. The morning session operates from 8 a.m-11:30 a.m. and the afternoon session operates from 12:10 p.m.-3:45 p.m. Nutritious meals and snacks are provided as a component of this comprehensive program.
The program is free to families who meet certain income guidelines. For more information and to enroll, call HCESC at 513-674- 4329 or visit http://hcescheadstart.org/.
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Forest Hills School District |