Circle of Friends Preschool
We are committed to preparing your child for success in school and life skills! Starting preschool is an exciting milestone in your child's life. Our licensed teachers set up classrooms to help children discover a love for learning while working on social emotional skills that will help get them ready for lifelong learning.
Our classes are for children three to five years of age. We use a whole-child approach that focuses on the individual needs and interests of our students through play-based learning. We base our school readiness standards on the Minnesota Early Childhood Indicators of Progress and staff follow a district approved Curriculum to guide their lessons. Our classes incorporate our district’s E-STEM philosophy. Our program has a 4-star Parent Aware rating.
2023-2024 cIRCLE OF FRIENDS Registration
Circle of Friends Preschool registration for the 2023-2024 school year is now open for all families.
2023-24 School Year
- Class Options & Tuition Fees
- How to Register
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Back-to-School Information 2023-24
- CALENDARS AND HANDBOOKS
- FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
- Withdrawal and Late Pick-Up Policy
Class Options & Tuition Fees
2023-2024
- Declined Payment Fee - $25 / Transaction: This fee is assessed when payment by debit card, credit card, or bank account is declined.
- Late Payment Fee - $10 / Invoice: If payment of the monthly invoice is not received by end of day on the invoice due date, a late payment fee will be assessed.
CLASS FORMAT OPTIONS
Whether you choose a School Readiness or Nature School Readiness classroom setting, the E-STEM educational philosophy is integrated throughout all of our preschool programming.
- School Readiness: These preschool class options are located at Edgewood School. Classes do access both the indoor and outdoor learning environments.
- Nature School Readiness: This preschool class option is located at Jeffers Pond Elementary. The outdoors is the primary classroom with indoor spaces available as needed. We go outside in rain, snow & sunshine. We are able to assist with providing outdoor clothing as needed.
CHILDCARE OPTIONS
Child care options for students enrolled in Edgewood School are available through Kids' Company, the school district's child care program. Care is available for an additional fee and as a separate registration option through Kids’ Company. For more information, visit the Lakers Preschool Child Care website here.
How to Register
Submitting an application is the first step in the registration process. Early childhood coordinators review all submitted applications. Student placement will be determined based on completed enrollment information, family preferences as well as individual and group characteristics, such as previous preschool experiences or birth dates (ex. classes geared toward older 4/5 year olds or younger 3 year olds). While applications are being reviewed, your application status will remain "pending".
Once a contract has been accepted, the registration fee will be charged and is non-refundable.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR REGISTRATION
Frequently Asked Questions
CIRCLE OF FRIENDS PRESCHOOL - FAQs
How old does my child need to be to start preschool?
Children need to be 3 to 5 years old and fully independent in the bathroom.
Does my child need to be independent in the bathroom?
Yes, they do need to be fully independent in the bathroom. While we understand accidents happen, we are not a facility licensed to change diapers or pull-ups. If your child wets their pants, we can guide them to change their own clothing. If your child has a bowel movement, guardians will be called and asked to come to school to change them. View this link for tips.
Child Care
Kids' Company, the school district's child care program, will offer care to preschool families through a separate registration process. Once your child's enrollment has been finalized through Circle of Friends Preschool, please contact Kids' Company to register for child care. View the Kids' Company web page for program and contact information.
What if I'm placed on a waiting list?
If placed on a waiting list, our office will contact you to finalize enrollment as openings occur in your selected class(es). Students will be placed on a waiting lists for all classes listed on their application. Additional sections of popular classes can be added if there is enough interest.
Is financial assistance available?
Yes, but there is a limited amount of financial assistance available for families who meet criteria. View the Financial Assistance tab below for details on how to apply for an early learning scholarship.
What is your tax ID?
41-6007904 - It is printed on every invoice. Child Care Tax Statements can be found by logging into your Eleyo account.
Can I request to have or not have a certain teacher?
Please list your request in the comment section of the application. We will do our best to honor your request but cannot guarantee it. Teachers are not assigned to classes until after enrollment is finalized.
Back-to-School Information 2023-24
Enrolled/Confirmed Preschool Families
Welcome to Circle of Friends Preschool for the 2023-2024 school year. We are looking forward to an exciting year of growth and development as your child works and plays in an environment that is safe yet challenging. School begins the week of September 11, 2023.
Below are the links to preschool paperwork that needs to be completed and returned to Edgewood School. If you need hard copies of any of these forms, they will be available in the lower level entry of Edgewood School for families to pick up during school hours (Monday-Friday 8:00-2:00). Families needing assistance with filling out forms or with interpretation of forms, please contact the office. 952-226-0950
- Emergency Form *Required for preschool enrollment
- Health Form *Required for preschool enrollment
- MDE's Parent Letter-FAQ
- MDE Enrollment Form
- MDE Language Survey
- MDE Homeless Form
- MDE Ethnicity Form
- MDE Educational Benefits Form
- Copy of birth certificate *Required for preschool enrollment
- Copy of immunization records (Most clinics will fax immunization records to us directly) *Required for preschool enrollment
Please email, mail or drop off the attached paperwork, birth certificate and immunization records:
Edgewood School
Attn: Julie Miller
5304 Westwood Drive SE
Prior Lake, MN 55372
Fax: 952-226-0949
jumiller@plsas.org
We are looking forward to the opportunity to serve you and your child.
Your partners in education,
Erin Metoxen Lori Parker
Early Learning Coordinator Early Childhood Special Education Coordinator
emetoxen@plsas.org lparker@plsas.org
CALENDARS AND HANDBOOKS
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
If your family is in need of a scholarship to help with preschool tuition, a Pathway I Early Learning Scholarship application must be completed and submitted directly to the Families First of Minnesota office in Rochester Minnesota.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Families First of Minnesota communicates directly with families, they do not provide application status or scholarship award information directly to Circle of Friends Preschool. Be sure to keep our office updated on the progress of your application and the award status.
How do I apply for an Early Learning Scholarship?
To apply for a Pathway I – Early Learning Scholarship, the legal guardian of the child must follow these steps:
- Print and complete the application. Please be sure that all required areas have been completed and the application has been signed in ink. Electronic signatures will not be accepted.
- Include required proof of income either Option 1 or Option 2, listed on the application. The application will be returned if appropriate documents are not provided.
- Submit your original application to the Families First office in-person or by mail to: Families First of Minnesota | Early Learning Scholarships | 126 Woodlake Drive SE | Rochester, MN 55904
(Faxed or emailed applications will not be considered for a scholarship)
If you have questions about this application or scholarship program, please contact Families First of Minnesota directly: 1-888-450-2773 (Carver, Dakota and Scott County residents).
List of Area Administrators and eligibility criteria
Sliding tuition scale is available and is based on your family size and income level. Please click here to see if your family qualifies.
Withdrawal and Late Pick-Up Policy
WITHDRAWAL POLICY
Registration fees and first month's tuition are not refundable.
Withdrawals (before the school year begins)
If we are notified of a student withdrawal prior to May 1, the first month's tuition will not be charged. After May 1, refunds will be based on the program's ability to fill the vacancy. If we are able to fill the spot before the first day of preschool, a full refund will be issued for the first month's tuition. If the spot is still empty once school begins, the first month's tuition will be forfeited in order to cover program operating costs.
Withdrawals (during the school year)
A 30-day written notice to the preschool office at Edgewood School is required. Families are responsible to pay full tuition for the month of withdrawal.
lATE pICK-uP POLICY
It is extremely important that you pick up your child at the time stated for your class. We reserve the right to charge a $15.00 late fee for each five minute increment that a child is not picked up. We do understand that the curb-side pick up process may be delayed, and reserve the right to waive the late fee for circumstances deemed outside of your control.