Waukon Nursery School announces plans for new all-day preschool option

Waukon Nursery School has announced plans to offer an all-day preschool program for children preparing to enter kindergarten in 2006. The all-day program will supplement, not replace, the school's half-day programs for 3-4 year old students and 4-5 year old students.

According to Board President Michelle O'Neill, the decision to expand the preschool program was based on feedback from parents of currently enrolled students. “Some parents felt an all-day program would better prepare their children for the kindergarten schedule, easing them into the routine at a couple days a week,” says O'Neill.

Parents with older children were also interested in a class start and end time that more closely mirrors that of the public schools for ease of transportation, says O'Neill. “We hope that, by offering the option of a full-day program, we open the door to children who otherwise would not attend preschool, either because they don't qualify for Headstart or Bright Beginnings, or because of scheduling conflicts,” says O'Neill.

“We understand that many parents work out of town or don't have flexible work schedules, and are unable to make transportation and day care arrangements to accommodate the half-day program,” she adds. “We want to offer a program that works around obstacles.”

The new schedule will give parents of 4-5 year old children the choice between a half-day and full-day program. The full-day program will not be offered to 3-4 year old students at this time, says O'Neill.

Three preschool class options will be offered for the 2005-06 school year:

1) a morning class, two half-days per week, for 3-4 year olds;

2) an afternoon class, two half-days per week, for 4-5 year olds; and

3) an all-day class, two days per week, for 4-5 year olds.

Half-day classes will be held Tuesdays and Thursdays while the full-day class will meet Monday and Wednesday weekly. Tuition fees for the half-day schedule are set at $55 per month; the full-day program costs $120 per month.

Meals will be provided to students in the full-day program for an additional fee.

Preschool registration forms must be postmarked no later than April 15, 2005, and can be found at Quillin's Food Ranch, Hartig USA Drug, Robey Memorial Library, local banks, Pamida or by contacting Waukon Nursery School at 568-7776.

A registration day for the 2005-06 year is planned for Saturday, April 23 at the Waukon Nursery School. Parents planning to enroll a child in the program must be present for the 9:15 a.m. event. Children will be assigned to their classes that day.

Seats are limited in all classes. In the event there are more registrations than seats for a particular class, a drawing will be held on registration day to determine the class list. Pre-registrants will be drawn first.

Walk-ins will be drawn for the remaining spots, if any. A non-refundable deposit of $25 and the first month's tuition will be due at registration.

Waukon Nursery School has served this area for more than 25 years with the goal of preparing children for kindergarten by teaching social skills, introducing children to a structured learning environment, and by further developing important large and small motor skills.

For more information, call the Waukon Nursery School direct at (563)568-7776, call Instructor Ann Hagensick at 568-7551 or contact assistant instructor Kris Cote at 568-7576.