3 & 4 Year Old Program

2025-2026 Programming Hours

Please note that we are combining our three and four year old classrooms this year to best serve the needs of our current and incoming students. This may vary from year to year.

Dates and Times of 3 and 4 Year Old Preschool:

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday

Morning session meets from 8:00-11:15 am

(3 year olds only attend from 8:00-10:00)

Afternoon session meets from 12:00 - 3:15 pm

(3 year olds only attend from 12:00-2:00 pm)

There is no preschool on Wednesdays. Our teachers participate in professional development on these days.

About Our Program

2025-2026

We have an inclusive, combined age of three year old and four year old preschool program. To attend preschool, students must turn 4 or 3 before September 15th, 2025. State Wide Voluntary Preschool Program Grant funds 10 hours of weekly instruction.

Tuition for 4 year olds is $60 per month, which covers the additional hours beyond the State Wide Voluntary Preschool Program Grant.

Tuition for 3 year olds is $125 per month.

Philosophy

Our philosophy is to include all children's social, emotional, and behavioral needs in the least restrictive learning environment. Teachers and staff are able to provide opportunities for hands-on learning, development of important social emotional skills, supported interactions with peers and adults, and embedded learning opportunities throughout a carefully designed schedule that supports all students, all while keeping child led interactions at the forefront while using the Creative Curriculum as a guide.

4 Year OLD Q & A

Who can attend 4 year old preschool? Students who turn 4 before September 15th of the current academic year.

How much does it cost to attend 4 year old preschool if your child is 4? The SWVPPS grant funds 10 hours of weekly instruction. Tuition for 4 year olds is $60 per month, which covers the additional hours beyond the State Wide Voluntary Preschool Program Grant. These hours are optional.

What is the SWVPP grant? It is a grant funded by the state of Iowa which allows us to provide 10 hours of free preschool for students who are four years old. Click here for more information about the grant.

Is tuition assistance available? Yes, tuition assistance is available for qualifying families through Iowa County Empowerment. Please contact Mr. Zirkel for information regarding assistance.

Are there additional fees? Yes, will be a one time fee at registration for supplies.

Do you serve lunch? Lunch will not be provided for the 2024-2025 school year but a snack will be provided each day.

Do you go on field trips? Yes, hands-on learning is the best way to learn! We enjoy visits to Lake Iowa, apple orchards, pumpkin patches, the Iowa City Children's Museum, the Williamsburg post office, the Williamsburg fire station, and Brickhouse Coffee Co.

3 Year OLD Q & A

Who can attend 3 year old preschool? Any three year old with or without an Individualized Education Plan that turns 3 year old before September 15th.

What is the cost of tuition?

Tuition cost for a 3 year old is $125 per month.

Is tuition assistance available? Yes, tuition assistance is available for qualifying families. Please contact Mr. Zirkel for information regarding assistance.

Are there any other fees? There will be a one time fee at registration for supplies in August.

Is transportation provided? No, transportation will be provided by the district. Three year old preschoolers must be dropped off by a parent at the classroom door. Iowa County Transportation (ICT) also provides transportation for preschool students . You will need contact them directly to set up transportation. The contact number for ICT is 642-7615. Financial assistance is also available through Iowa County Empowerment.

Meet the Teachers

Laura McCalester, LEAD TEACHER

Laura has been the lead teacher of the four year old classroom for 12 years. She received her BA in Early Childhood Special Education from St. Ambrose in 2010 and her MA in Special Education from Grand Canyon University in 2012. She is passionate about teaching preschool and loves sharing in the first school experience of her littles. When she's not teaching she loves to spend time with her husband and their two children, Maeve and Weston. As a family they enjoy being outside, going hiking, going on vacations and having family movie nights.

Hannah ZiEser, Lead Teacher

This will be Hannah’s second year as a lead preschool teacher at Mary Welsh. She was previously a special education teacher in our building for one year. She received her BA in Early Childhood Special Education from University of Northern Iowa in 2023. She has experience supporting preschool students and loves teaching our youngest learners. When she is not teaching she loves spending time with her husband, friends and family. She enjoys traveling, getting coffee, and shopping at target.

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