Preschool Programs

Early learning opportunities provide an important foundation for student success. Recognizing the value of exposure to early learning opportunities, Springfield Public Schools collaborates with various area agencies to offer several options for families to provide students aged 0 to 5 with quality early learning options.
 

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Head Start of Lane County

Head Start of Lane County serves over 1000 children and families throughout Lane County, with classrooms located in Eugene, Springfield, Cottage Grove, Florence, Junction City, Lowell, and Oakridge. Head Start promotes school readiness by enhancing the social and cognitive development of children in a classroom setting. In addition to high-quality preschool offered to 3 to 5 year olds, Head Start provides medical and dental services, nutritional services and other supports to children and families. Parental engagement, cultural responsiveness and inclusive programming is emphasized. Services for parents include parenting education, networking opportunities, and much more. Part Day and Full Day classrooms are available. Early Head Start is a home visiting program for expectant parents and children up to age 3. Early Head Start promotes healthy birth outcomes, enhanced child development and positive parenting skills. Services include home visits and play groups, until children are old enough to participate in a preschool classroom. Both Head Start and Early Head Start are currently enrolling. Please visit www.hsolc.org or call 541-747-2425 for more information.
 

Kids in Transition to School

Kids in Transition to School (KITS) is an early childhood program offered for families in several of our school communities. The program begins in the summer before students start kindergarten and continues into the early school year. Kids learn important school readiness skills that will help them be more successful in kindergarten. The program also includes workshops for parents to help prepare their kids for school. The program is funded through a collaboration between the United Way of Lane County, the Springfield and Bethel School Districts and the Oregon Social Learning Center.
 

Preschool Promise Program

Thanks to United Way, the Lane Early Learning Alliance and House Bill 3380, the Preschool Promise Program has come to Springfield. Using an available classroom space at Maple Elementary, the district's first preschool opened in 2017. The students learn a variety of basic skills, both social and academic, in the course of a 5-1/2 hour day, helping them be more ready to start kindergarten the following year.

Most educators believe that access to quality preschool programs is a key to student success,"says Dave Hulbert, the preschool administrator who also serves as principal of Walterville Elementary School. We are very excited to offer this opportunity for some of our families who could not otherwise afford preschool.
 

Thurston Child Development Center

Thurston High School operates an excellent preschool through its Child Development Center. The preschool is open to the public, and also provides a learning venue for high school students who are interested in child care.
 

Willamalane Preschool Programs

Willamalane’s teachers create academic opportunities through early STEM and literacy curricula and help kids to develop social and emotional skills that prepare them for kindergarten. All children must be at least three years old and toilet trained before entering the programs. Scholarships are available for all preschool programs.

 

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