Pre-K and Little Ponies

Preschool And Little Ponies

At Warren-Alvarado-Oslo Elementary School, we believe that a child’s early learning experience sets the stage for a lifelong love of education. Our preschool and Little Ponies programs provide a warm, supportive, and engaging environment where children can grow academically, socially, and emotionally through play-based learning.

Our Goal

Whether in preschool or Little Ponies, our mission is the same: to create a welcoming, engaging environment where children feel excited to learn, build confidence, and develop the skills they need for kindergarten and beyond.

Preschool Program (4–5 Year Olds)

Our preschool program is taught by licensed early childhood teachers, with a full-time classroom paraprofessional in every class to ensure small-group attention and individualized support. We also have early childhood special education teachers on staff through the Area Special Education Coop (ASEC), ensuring that every child’s needs are met.

To be eligible for the program, students must be four years old before September 1 of the school year and complete preschool screening. Screenings are offered in late fall, spring, and at the end of the school year.

We offer a full-day preschool program with two main schedules:

Monday, Wednesday, every other Friday
Tuesday, Thursday, every other Friday

In addition, we have a section for older or repeat students (as determined by our preschool teachers based on age and developmental need) who attend Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

Thanks to our participation in Minnesota’s Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) and School Readiness Plus (SRP) programs, preschool at Warren-Alvarado-Oslo School District is free of cost for eligible families. These high-quality, publicly funded programs prepare four-year-olds for kindergarten using play-based learning, smooth transitions to elementary school, and family-centered planning.

Enrollment

Enrollment information for the next school year is mailed to every district family with eligible children (by age) in November and again in March. Children must complete a preschool screening prior to enrolling in the preschool program. Screening appointments are available on predetermined screening days; families interested in enrolling in the preschool program may call the elementary school office at (218) 745-4441 to reserve an appointment. Once screening is conducted, families register their preschooler as a student at Warren-Alvarado-Oslo School District to complete the enrollment process.

Families that wish to enroll an eligible child in the preschool program for the current academic year may call the elementary school office to inquire about screening availability.

Little Ponies Program (3 Year Olds)

Entering its third year, our Little Ponies program was created to better serve the needs of three-year-old students, especially those receiving special education services, by offering a learning environment tailored just for them.

Little Ponies meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays, with a morning session (8:00AM - 10:45AM) and an afternoon session (12:15PM - 3:00PM). To be eligible for the program, students must be three years old before September 1 of the school year, potty trained, and complete a preschool screening (held in late May of the previous year).

Limited spots are available, and some students may be placed on a waitlist. Children who turn three during the school year and qualify for special education services may also join if appropriate for their needs. Children who do not receive special education services may attend for a tuition of $100 per month, with scholarships available.

While breakfast and lunch are not provided in Little Ponies, children enjoy a healthy snack during class.

Little Ponies focuses on developing social skills, school routines, and early academic foundations such as colors, counting, name recognition, and letter introduction all while fostering curiosity and a love of learning.

Enrollment

Children must complete a preschool screening prior to enrolling in the Little Ponies program. Screening appointments are held in May for the following school year; families interested in enrolling in the preschool program may call the elementary school office at (218) 745-4441 to reserve an appointment. Once screening is conducted, program educators contact the family to confirm program or waitlist placement.

Children receiving special education services receive automatic admittance to the Little Ponies program and may join the program during the school year as soon as they turn three years old.

Note for 2025 - 2026: The Little Ponies program is at maximum capacity for this year, but a waitlist is available. Please contact the elementary school office at (218) 745-4441 to be added to the waitlist.

Program Staff

Ally Linder - Preschool Teacher

Donilyn Bergman - Preschool Teacher

Starlee Holub - ECFE Coordinator

ECFE

ECFE Newsletter -

WAO Early Childhood Family Education Newsletter 25/26

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