Preschool is not mandatory, but children who attend preschool will gain new skills, meet new friends, discover new feelings, and have a variety of new experiences.
Preschool helps children:
Cincinnati Public Schools provides quality, comprehensive programs and collaborative services that support young children and families for lifelong learning. CPS' Early Childhood Education (ECE) program recognizes that all children can learn and acquire knowledge, primarily through playful interactions with materials and people in their environment. The learning environment encourages creative exploration with a balance of child- and adult-initiated, age-appropriate activities. The program also recognizes the home and community as valuable resources. Staff and parents work together in the development of culturally sensitive curriculum.
The district provides a broad and enriching learning experience appropriate for each child. The written curriculum includes activities and opportunities that support social, emotional, cognitive and physical development and is built upon the knowledge, strength and life experiences that children bring to school. Parents are valued as equal partners in the learning process. The curriculum incorporates the Ohio Early Learning Standards in the daily learning experiences and parental input in lesson planning is welcome.
Every child receives a complete developmental screening within the first 45 days of school. The results of each child's developmental screening will be shared with the parents. Follow-up is provided as needed to meet the child's individual needs. Each program has a support team beyond the teacher, instructor assistant and family-service assistant. The team often includes a speech and language pathologist, mental health professional and nurse.
Early childhood programs operate on both full-day and half-day schedules and align with the district's school-year calendar. The district also has collaborative agreements with several child-care centers in the community that operate full-day, year-round programs.
What to wear is an important decision. Following are some guidelines:
Breakfast, lunch and/or snacks are provided for preschool children. The menus selected meet the standards set by the Ohio Department of Education Nutrition Section. The noon meal is served to every child present between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
A source of vitamin C is served daily, and a source of vitamin A at least 2 times per week. Milk is vitamin D fortified. A snack is served in the afternoon (morning for preschool special needs and Montessori classes) and includes items from 2 food groups.
Staff and children eat together. Children are encouraged but not forced to try unfamiliar foods or foods they have previously refused. Children gradually learn to assume responsibility for setting tables, passing food, serving themselves and cleaning up.
Children in full-day programs are expected to rest daily. Please consider sending your child with a favorite toy or blanket.
For the protection of staff and children, a health inspection is conducted daily upon a child's arrival using the Ohio Department of Health "Child Day-Care Communicable Disease Chart," which is posted in the classroom. Parents are encouraged to observe this process. Early Childhood Education programs are for well children only.
Children are re-admitted if they have no symptoms of communicable disease for at least 24 hours or with a physician's statement saying that the child poses no risk to others.
Communication between home and school is a priority. Parent involvement is encouraged both at home and at school. Suggestions for parents include:
Each program is licensed to operate by the Ohio Department of Education (ODE). This license and the most recent licensing inspection report is posted in each classroom.
In the event that you have complaints or concerns that may not be addressed to your satisfaction, you may call our Cutsomer Help Center, 513-363-0123, or the ODE State Licensing Office 614-644-2603.