Welcome to Fergus Falls ISD 544 Early Childhood Education -

where your child's education journey begins!

District 544 has provided early childhood programming since 1986. Our programs serve children and families birth through the start of Kindergarten.  Programming allows for matching a wide variety of services with the needs of participating children. The service agencies collaborate to meet the health, education and social needs of children in order to enhance their learning, development and future success in school.

Our programs include:

• ECFE (Early Childhood Family Education)

• School Readiness Otter Preschool

• United Way Childcare Visitor Program

• Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE)

• Explore our programs and if you have any questions please feel free to reach out at any time! 

General Information

Early Childhood Education- Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) and School Readiness Otter Preschool serve parents and children ages newborn to not yet in Kindergarten. Our classes are open to all families; no one will be turned away due to the inability to pay - reduced fees are available to families as they qualify. We do, however, need to limit enrollment in classes due to space limitations, so register early! If a class becomes full, your name will be put on a waiting list. All programming is held at the Lincoln School 2300 College Way Fergus Falls, MN. 

Fergus Falls Public School’s School Readiness “Otter Preschool” 

A 4 Star Parent Aware rated program!

School Readiness Otter Preschool is a public school program for children ages 3 to 5. This program is a collaborative of the School Readiness and Early Childhood Special Education programs. Our goal is to have a program which offers developmentally appropriate play and learning experiences that set the foundation for success in school. School Readiness is a 4 Star Parent Aware rated program, eligible to use Early Learning Scholarships.

Otter Preschool is for everyone! Otter Preschool offers two or four half days per week, Monday through Thursday.  No one is turned away for inability to pay. Reduced fees are available to families as they qualify.  

Otter Preschool:

• Highly Qualified staff- Early Childhood teachers are licensed by the MN Board of Teaching.

• Offers developmentally appropriate play and learning experiences that set the foundation for success in school.

• Provides an environment for children to develop their social skills through early friendships and play.

• Encourages children to explore and participate in hands-on learning that encourages creativity and problem solving.

• Provides a relaxed and safe environment where children participate in music and movement, creative arts, science and discovery, language and literacy, and mathematical experiences through the use of developmentally appropriate curriculum and assessment built on the state early learning guidelines.

• Provides large motor space for physical growth and development.

Payment Information

Payments for enrollments can either be made by check, cash, or on-line by going to the Fergus Falls school website: www.fergusotters.org and clicking on the ‘school store’ under the quick links tab and logging into your account that was used to register with. ECFE payment is due upon registration and School Readiness Otter Preschool is billed monthly through email. *No one will be turned away due to the inability to pay - reduced fees are available to families as they qualify. 

Transportation

4 and 5 year old students participating in full day programming are eligible to participate in school district transportation. These are the standard school district routes and will have older children riding the same bus as your preschooler. If you would like your child to participate in school district transportation, or have any questions, please contact the Lincoln School Office at 218-998-0544 ext. 8900.

All families must complete the Ottertail Coaches bus form.