By Tanner Kent
Free Press Staff Writer
MANKATO — There are a finite number of spots available in Mankato’s Early Childhood and Family Education preschool programs.
And Mark Daby is thankful his 5-year-old grandson is filling one of them this year.
“He loves going to school,” said the 72-year-old Mankato native who was once a student at Franklin Elementary.
“He’s just blossomed.”
Starting in the fall, Mankato is adding another site to its roster of ECFE preschool classes. Located at the nearly completed Rosa Parks Elementary, the new site will accommodate two additional sections of preschool and complement classes already at Lincoln Community Center, the Early Childhood Center in upper North Mankato and Eagle Lake Elementary.
a
Information sessions on preschool options, as well as the early registration period, will be held Thursday and Friday at Lincoln Community Center. Teachers and staff will be on hand to answer any questions.
Early registration begins Feb. 22 and runs through June 15.
“We’re excited to be offering programs at four different sites this year,” said Corrine Wesely, director of Mankato’s ECFE. “We want to get kids kindergarten ready and prepare them for a lifetime of success, in school and beyond.”
Preschool offerings begin for children as young as 2 years old for some classes (to enroll, children must be at least 2 on or before Sept. 1).
The classes are fee-based, but families are charged on a sliding scale according to income. Fees range from $551 per year for two-day preschools to $986 for a four-day preschool.
Michelle Doering, an ECFE preschool teacher, said preschool now resembles the kindergarten that many parents remember from their own childhood years.
With Mankato Area Public Schools offering full-day kindergarten, students are now beginning to read and write before they reach first grade. Many of the socialization skills and learning skills once reserved for kindergarten are now taught in preschool.
In fact, Doering said her preschool class for 4- and 5-year-olds includes a thrice annual assessment of her students’ budding literacy skills and introductions to math concepts.
“Last year, I visited some kindergarten rooms, and it was an eye-opener,” Doering said. “It’s amazing to see what they’re doing now. And we’re trying to get kids ready for that.”
For early registration, apply in person at the ECFE office at Lincoln Community Center or call 507-625-4620. Registration includes a non-refundable charge of $20.
If You Go
What
Information sessions on ECFE preschool and early registration
When
6:15 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. Thursday; 9:15 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. Friday
Where
Lincoln Community Center (Thursday in room 201, Friday in the auditorium)
More information
Call Mankato ECFE at 507-625-4620
