El Dorado Public Schools offers half day preschool programs at Blackmore Elementary, Grandview Elementary, and Skelly Elementary. These programs provide engaging learning-readiness activities for children. All preschool programs are taught by certified, high-quality teachers who provide a solid educational and social foundation for children to learn in a developmentally appropriate setting.  

Children attend a half day preschool program, either in morning or afternoon sessions, at their residence elementary school.

Morning session: 8:00 AM – 11:15 AM
Afternoon session: noon – 3:15 PM

Role Models Program: Child must be 3 years old on or before February 28 of the current year and no older than 5 years old on or after August 31 of the current year. A Try Out is required and students must live in USD 490. Regular enrollment fees will apply to students selected for the program. Approval during try out is based on the following factors:

• Date of Application, Residence School, Available Spots

• Screening in the areas of: language, speech, motor, social, self-help, and pre-academic skills

Pre-Kindergarten Program: Child must be 3 years old on or before August 31 of the current year and no older than 5 years old on or after August 31 of the current year. Students must live in USD 490. Application approval is based on the following factors:

•       Date of Application, Boundary School, Available Spots

•       Qualifying Factors which include:

  • Eligible for food assistance

  • Single-parent family

  • Limited English Proficiency

  • Either parent lacking high school diploma or GED

  • Teen parent when child was born

  • Agency referral

  • Concern for developmental delays based on screening results

  • Child qualifies for migrant or transitional housing status

Applications for the preschool programs are available at any school or district administrative office or online (see below). Parents are asked to provide the child’s birth certificate and immunization record.

*Submitting an application/interest form does not guarantee admittance. Your child will be placed per review of district policies and qualifying factors set forth by the Kansas State Board of Education.

We are now accepting Preschool Applications for the 2024-2025 school year!

APPLY NOW!

Early Childhood Special Education Programs

USD 490 also offers early childhood special education classes at Blackmore, Grandview, and Skelly elementary schools to qualifying children ages three to five. The Butler County Special Education Interlocal offers free Child Find developmental screenings for infants and preschool children throughout the school year. The purpose of the screening is to help parents identify potential learning problems and find help.

If your child has difficulty walking, talking, seeing, hearing, or learning, please call the Special Education office at 316-775-6904  and ask for Pam to schedule a free appointment.

If you have developmental concerns about an infant or toddler (0-3 years), please call Rainbows of Butler County at 316-320-1342.

Please note that Child Find screenings are by appointment only.