Little Eagles Preschool

Curriculum Focused on Personalized Learning
At Eden Prairie Schools, our mission is to inspire each student every day. Our preschool is designed to create excitement around education and provide a foundation for lifelong learning. We use Creative Curriculum, which is a balanced approach of all social-emotional and academic areas. We focus on personalized learning for your child. Lessons are designed around your child’s skills to prepare them for kindergarten and beyond. Throughout the school year, staff conduct assessments using the whole child approach utilizing the Teaching Strategies GOLD observation based assessment tool.

Preschool Dates
The preschool calendar aligns with the school district calendar. Preschool does not have programming on non-school days.

What does a typical day look like? 

• Free choice time with teacher (includes dramatic play, writing and listening center)
• Gym/motor room or outside activities
• Snack and lunch
• Large group activity
• Music and movement
• Small group activities: literacy and writing
• Read aloud and vocabulary
• Large group activity
• Rest/nap and quiet time activity
• Free choice and art
• Large group Smart Board activity
• Snack or lunch
• Small group activities: math, science, and sensory
• Outside activities
• Story time
• Gym and free choice

If you have additional questions regarding programming, please call 952-975-7200 or email EPS_LittleEagles@edenpr.org and someone from Eden Prairie Early Childhood will contact you shortly.

Eden Prairie Schools offers:

3 year old preschool (if child is 3 by Sept. 1, 2024)

• 2 days (Tuesday/Thursday) morning
• 3 days (Monday/Wednesday, Friday) morning or afternoon
• 4 days (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) morning or afternoon
• 5 days + Rest and Enrichment (Monday-Friday) morning and afternoon

4 year old preschool

• 4 day (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) morning or afternoon
• 5 day (Monday-Friday) morning or afternoon
• Add on care available: JR Eagle Zone Before School Care (6:30 a.m. – School Start Time), JR Eagle Zone Half Day (Preschool End Time – Elementary End Time), JR Eagle Zone After School Care (School End Time – 6:00 p.m.)

Parents of Preschoolers

Do you have a child in preschool and would like support with parenting a preschooler? Join a licensed Parent Educator and other parents in this parent only class to share the joys and occasional challenges that come with this stage! Topics include: general development, gaining cooperation, enhancing communication, helping your child to be a problem solver, emotional intelligence and other relevant topics.

Parent only, in person class with a Parent Educator; Location – Community Education Building
$53 per session – Sibling care is available

3 Year Old Preschool

must be 3 years old by September 1, 2024

Give your child an introduction to school through the Little Eagles 3 Year Old Preschool program. Our developmentally appropriate program offers an interactive, stimulating and academically rich experience that supports your learner with personalized instruction and a strong focus on social and emotional development. 

Location: Community Education Building, 8100 School Road

Before and After Care is not offered for the 3 Year Old Preschool program.

The Rest and Enrichment portion of the day is child care provided by highly qualified teacher and paraprofessional staff outside of the five day morning preschool hours. Students will be expected to follow the program and classroom routine which includes lunch, rest, and enrichment activities. 

NOTE: If your child has an IEP, special education services are provided during the instructional half-day preschool sessions. 

If your student is enrolled in a child care based Rest and Enrichment (RE), accommodations and modifications for support will be determined through collaboration of the special education and child care teams.

 4 Year Old Preschool Options

must be 4 years old by September 1, 2024

Create a school community connection, reduce transitions and prepare your child for Kindergarten through Little Eagles 4 year old Preschool at one of our five elementary schools.  Through interactive, stimulating and academically rich instruction, your child will practice academic, social and emotional skills to prepare for Kindergarten. Breakfast or lunch mealtimes are included. Transportation is provided to and from their boundary school for students living within the Eden Prairie School district boundary. 

Location: Cedar Ridge Elementary, Eden Lake Elementary, Forest Hills Elementary, Prairie View Elementary, Oak Point Elementary

JR Eagle Zone is a choice-based child care program that allows children to take the lead in their learning journey. From imaginative play areas to hands-on arts and crafts, our child care curriculum encourages self-expression and independent play. Our Eagle Zone staff are highly trained and are dedicated to guiding children as they discover their passions and make new friends. If your child is enrolled in Junior Eagle Zone, they will experience a fun and enriching environment where every day is an opportunity for exploration and growth. 

Note: If your child has an IEP, special education services are provided during the morning or afternoon preschool session that your child attends. 

JR Eagle Zone (EZ) is an add-on child care options for students attending the morning or afternoon preschool sessions. The program will provide reasonable accommodations, if needed, to make physical and social integration successful. However, your start date may be dependent on the implementation of these accommodations if there is a need to provide additional staffing to ensure successful accommodation.

**Preschool does not have childcare on days the district does not have school.**

JR Eagle Zone Before School Care for 4 Year Olds –
Available for Morning Preschool; 5 day option only (Monday–Friday)

• Staffed by Eagle Zone Child Care staff
• Held at the elementary sites
• 6:30 a.m. – School Start Time
  • Oak Point: $12.50 per day
  • Cedar Ridge and Forest Hills: $13 per day
  • Eden Lake and Prairie View:  $14 per day 

JR Eagle Zone After School Care for 4 Year Olds –
Available for Morning Preschool + JR Eagle Zone or Afternoon Preschool; 5 day option only (Monday–Friday) 

• Staffed by Eagle Zone Child Care Staff
• Held at the elementary sites
• School End Time – 6:00 p.m.
  • Oak Point: $20.50 per day
  • Cedar Ridge and Forest Hills: $20 per day
  • Eden Lake and Prairie View:  $19 per day 

All 3 year old preschool programming is at the Community Education Building. 

Your child's boundary school does not impact their 3 year old preschool location. All three year old preschoolers will attend one central location, the Community Education Building located at 8100 School Road, Eden Prairie, MN 55344. 

All 4 year old preschool programming is held at one of Eden Prairie Schools’ five elementary schools. 

How do I know which school to enroll in for Little Eagles Preschool? 
Click here to enter your address and find your boundary school.

Can I attend a school other than my boundary school?
Priority enrollment will be for students enrolling in their boundary school. Families who choose to send their child to a school other than their boundary school will be given second priority, on a first come, first served basis. Busing is not provided if a family attends a school outside of their boundary school. If a student attends a school that is not their boundary school for 4 year old preschool, they will not be automatically enrolled at that school for kindergarten; a parent/guardian will need to follow the district transfer protocol if they wish for their student to remain at the school. 

• Eden Prairie residents enrolling at their boundary school will have first priority. 

• Eden Prairie residents enrolling in a school outside of their boundary will be given second priority by being placed on a waitlist and enrolled on a first come, first served basis. Please note: Attending Oak Point Elementary School for preschool does not increase chances of attending Eagle Heights Spanish Immersion. Little Eagles Preschool is a Community Education Program and does not impact the lottery process. 

  • Cedar Ridge Elementary - 8905 Braxton Drive

  • Eden Lake Elementary - 12000 Anderson Lakes Parkway

  • Forest Hills Elementary - 13708 Holly Road

  • Prairie View Elementary - 17255 Peterborg Road

  • Oak Point Elementary - 13400 Staring Lake Parkway
     

• Non-Eden Prairie residents choosing to open enroll with Little Eagles Preschool will be third priority by being placed on a waitlist at their chosen school and enrolled on a first come, first served basis.

Our older child attends Eagle Heights Spanish Immersion. Where should our younger child attend 4 year old preschool?
Proof of a sibling attending Eagle Heights is required to enroll in Oak Point if it is not the boundary school for the family. Please note: Attending Oak Point Elementary School for preschool does not increase chances of attending Eagle Heights Spanish Immersion. Little Eagles Preschool is a Community Education Program and does not impact the lottery process. 

Can I open enroll from another district? 
Yes, pending availability. Open enrollment is based on availability of space in the program. Please contact the Little Eagles office at 952-975-7200 to discuss availability and next steps.

Transportation varies based on the program in which your child is eligible for.

Special Education students
Preschoolers who are receiving Special Education services through Eden Prairie Schools will work with Early Childhood Special Education to determine transportation eligibility. 

Three Year Olds at Community Education
Only 3 year olds who meet certain eligibility requirements will qualify for transportation. If your child qualifies for bussing, based on the information gathered during registration, someone from the preschool office will reach out. 

Four Year Olds at Elementary Schools
Bussing is provided to all 4 year old students who attend their boundary school. Transportation can also be provided to an alternative address as long as it is in the boundary school. However, there is no transportation provided outside of the boundary school. 

Can my child ride a bus IF we switch between bussing, Before/After Care and Parent Drop off/Pickup throughout the week?

Yes. If you are seeking a non-consistent schedule, please reach out to the Little Eagles Office (952) 975-7200 to talk through options. 

How can I contact Transportation?

Transportation can be reached at 952-975-7500.

Before and After Care is not offered for the 3 Year Old Preschool program.

4 Year Old Before and After Care: JR Eagle Zone
JR Eagle Zone is a choice-based child care program that allows children to take the lead in their learning journey. From imaginative play areas to hands-on arts and crafts, our child care curriculum encourages self-expression and independent play. Our Eagle Zone staff are highly trained and are dedicated to guiding children as they discover their passions and make new friends. If your child is enrolled in Junior Eagle Zone, they will experience a fun and enriching environment where every day is an opportunity for exploration and growth. 

Note: If your child has an IEP, special education services are provided during the morning or afternoon preschool session that your child attends. 

JR Eagle Zone (EZ) is an add-on child care options for students attending the morning or afternoon preschool sessions. The program will provide reasonable accommodations, if needed, to make physical and social integration successful. However, your start date may be dependent on the implementation of these accommodations if there is a need to provide additional staffing to ensure successful accommodation.

**Preschool does not have childcare on days the district does not have school.**

JR Eagle Zone Before School Care for 4 Year Olds –
Available for Morning Preschool; 5 day option only (Monday–Friday)

• Staffed by Eagle Zone Child Care staff
• Held at the elementary sites
• 6:30 a.m. – School Start Time
  • Oak Point: $12.50 per day
  • Cedar Ridge and Forest Hills: $13 per day
  • Eden Lake and Prairie View:  $14 per day 

JR Eagle Zone After School Care for 4 Year Olds –
Available for Morning Preschool + JR Eagle Zone or Afternoon Preschool; 5 day option only (Monday–Friday) 

• Staffed by Eagle Zone Child Care Staff
• Held at the elementary sites
• School End Time – 6:00 p.m.
  • Oak Point: $20.50 per day
  • Cedar Ridge and Forest Hills: $20 per day
  • Eden Lake and Prairie View:  $19 per day 

Limited tuition assistance is provided for qualifying families through: 

• The School Readiness program. To determine eligibility for assistance, families select factors that apply to their family situation during the registration process. Income will be verified to determine eligibility.
• Early Learning Scholarships. For more information, call the location based on where you live.
  • Hennepin or Ramsey Country: Think Small 651-641-6604.
  • Carver, Dakota, or Scott County: Families First of MN 1-888-450-2773.

For more information from Little Eagles, visit the Little Eagles Website or call 952-975-7292.

Families interested in exploring scholarships also invited to complete a general application for fee assistance. 

Children should be toilet independent or must be actively toilet training before entering preschool, meaning they have:

– the ability to identify and verbalize the urge to use the restroom in a timely manner
– the ability to manage all self-help/toileting skills independently
– the ability to manage their preschool day including rest time without a pull-up

We are aware that it is developmentally appropriate for children of this age to have accidents from time to time.  In the event that your child needs additional support through toilet training, classroom staff and Parent Educators will work with you and your child.

All 4 year old preschool sections include lunch in the Elementary Schools. Pack a lunch from home, eat lunch from school, or do a mixture of both. 

We have joined Minnesota’s Free School Meals Program. Our schools already offer healthy meals each day. Now, all in-person students can get one lunch free of charge while at school – no application required. The Minnesota Free School Meals Program provides state reimbursement to schools that participate in the National School Lunch Program so that students can have one lunch at no cost at school.

What is included in the MN Free School Meals Program?

• At lunch, the student must choose at least 3 components to be counted as a reimbursable meal. The student must choose a ½ cup serving of fruit or vegetable as part of their lunch.

What is NOT included in the MN Free School Meals Program?
Single item purchases and non-reimbursable meals are not free. Some examples include:

• a second carton of milk
• snack items
• second entrée
• a second lunch
• meals that do not meet the minimum requirements
• meals served to teachers, staff, and other adults

Students complete their morning preschool session (9:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m.), then they will go to lunch and engage in Rest and Enrichment (RE) from 12:00–3:45 p.m. Community Education offers a combination of preschool and child care to meet the needs of families for a longer experience.

Rest and Enrichment provides child care outside of the preschool hours with their highly qualified teacher and paraprofessionals in the classroom. Students will be expected to follow the program and classroom routine which includes lunch, rest, and enrichment activities. Families have the option of providing their child with a lunch or accessing a FREE lunch from the district. 

During AM + RE, special education services are provided during the morning instructional preschool session (9:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m.). 

Accommodations and modifications will be implemented through collaboration of the special education and general education team,
but services and support are not provided in the RE child care portion
of the day (12:00–3:45 p.m.).

My child turns 5 in the summer, or after September 1, 2024 and I would like them to attend another year of preschool. Now what?

Your child is eligible for our 4 Year Old Preschool at our Elementary Sites!

Eden Prairie Schools Community Education works with children of all abilities. Our staff work with enrolled families to provide reasonable accommodations as needed for each child. The goal for all children is to have independent, meaningful participation in the program.

All children participating in programming must consistently demonstrate the ability to follow adult direction, show readiness for large group activities, including the ability to remain with the group, and follow safety rules.

Children need to meet state eligibility criteria in order to receive Early Childhood Special Education services. Questions and concerns regarding your child’s development are welcomed. For additional information, contact the Early Childhood Special Education Office at 952-975-6979.

Join us at Early Childhood Screening as soon as your child turns 3! This is a FREE and simple check of how your child is growing and developing. It is a requirement of the State of Minnesota for all preschool-aged children.

What age should my child be screened?
If your child is between the ages of 3 and 5, it is time to schedule his/her Early Childhood Screening to check all areas of development including hearing, vision, speech, and motor abilities.

What takes place at screening?
The screening process looks at a number of things including the following:

• Preschool concepts

• Communication skills

• Motor skills

• Social skills

What does screening cost?
Early childhood screenings are FREE!

How long does screening take?
Screening takes about one hour to complete. 

Where does screening take place? 
Screening appointments are held at the Welcome Center (Door 1A) in the Administrative Building at 8100 School Road, Eden Prairie, MN 55344. 

Make your free appointment today!