The Iowa City Community School District has recently broadened its preschool offerings to all 20 elementary schools this school year. Previously, preschool was available only at select schools. This expansion has resulted in a significant increase in enrollment, rising from 449 preschool students last year to 601 this year, according to board member Lisa Williams.
The expansion provides a half-day preschool option for 4-year-olds at every elementary school in the morning, along with multiple afternoon sessions at schools like Hoover, Coralville, and Lucas Elementary. Additionally, some schools offer a full-day program from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., including Borlaug, Kirkwood, Shimek, and Wickham Elementary. This full-day program includes three hours of teacher-led instruction, followed by the Champions Preschool After-School Program.
Christy Yetley, the Preschool Program Coordinator, highlighted the need for this expansion. The district found that many families lacked sufficient preschool options. “Preschool is an underserved population, and we wanted to ensure we offered more than just morning and afternoon programs,” Yetley stated.
The expansion began in August and has already received positive feedback. Yetley noted that parents appreciate the flexibility of full-day options and before-and-after-school care. “Overall, the response has been so good that we are exploring further expansion of full-day programs next year,” she said.
However, challenges have arisen during the expansion. Yetley emphasized the importance of providing equitable resources across all classrooms and maintaining high-quality teaching staff.
Williams acknowledged the need for this expansion, especially given the existing waitlists for preschool slots. “We recognize that different families need flexibility in their preschool programs,” she said. The full-day program currently has another waitlist, indicating a strong demand for these services.
Board member Charlie Eastham expressed his support for the preschool expansion. He believes that quality preschool education greatly benefits children throughout their elementary years. “Kids who have preschool experience with quality instruction do much better throughout their elementary years,” Eastham remarked.
Despite the positive developments, some local child care providers are concerned about potential enrollment losses due to the district’s full-day program. Eastham stated that the district is in discussions with these providers to address their concerns.
Looking ahead, Yetley is optimistic about further expanding the preschool program. Although plans are still in the early stages, she aims to create an equitable and engaging environment for even more students and teachers.
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