Discovery Learning Preschool
Discover a place where children can explore, learn, laugh & grow!
Discovery Learning Preschool, offered through ISD 728 Early Childhood Family Education, is a highly recognized and sought-after program with a 4-star rating from Parent Aware; an independent nonprofit organization of Minnesota business and community leaders using private sector strategies to improve school readiness. A 4-star rating is an indicator a program is using the practices that best prepare children for kindergarten.
Discovery Learning Preschool offers professionally trained, caring teachers, customized preschool experiences for your child in a safe and fun environment and as part of the school district, the program has access to the district’s resources. Conveniently offered in Elk River, Otsego, Rogers and Zimmerman with a variety of daytime programming, Discovery Learning Preschool is sure to fit your child’s needs.
Unparalleled Results
With unmatched programming in the state of Minnesota, ISD 728 Discovery Learning Preschool is seeing unprecedented results with their customized classroom experiences. Four-year-old students enrolled in Discovery Learning Preschool are tested in the fall and spring and have demonstrated significant progress in the area of Picture Naming, Letter Name, Rhyming, Alliteration and Letter Sound. The results speak for themselves; our preschool program is successful and prepares your child for a successful K-12 experience and provides the tools needed to become a fluent reader by grade three.
Comprehensive Curriculums
Discovery Learning Preschool has revolutionized their programming and embedded core fundamentals in each of their classrooms.
Creative Curriculum
Focusing on key objectives for development and learning, Creative Curriculum creates a learning environment based on how children learn across all areas of development including social-emotional, cognitive, math, literacy and language.
EZ Write Handwriting Curriculum
This handwriting curriculum matches the ISD 728 K-5 program to ensure continuity upon kindergarten entry. Eight basic strokes are taught to form letters and numbers.
Teaching Strategies GOLD Online
An authentic and comprehensive assessment program that is aligned with state guidelines. This assessment tool is used to support all types of learners and is tailored to monitor growth in all learners.
High Five Program
High Five centers on supporting children and families by building social-emotional skills for life for all children. High Five provides support when there are behavior and social concerns. High Five also supports student engagement through participation in the Minnesota Centers of Excellence Classroom Engagement model innovation.
LANA Nutrition Curriculum
This curriculum concentrates on serving healthy snacks, introducing nutritional choices and recognizing children with allergies and diet alterations by adjusting snacks to meet their needs.
Classroom Engagement Model
In partnership with the High Five social-emotional support, classrooms participate in practices to increase student engagement through the Classroom Engagement model innovation.
Coordinated Approach to Child Health (CATCH)
A physical education program that provides children with a variety of physical activity experiences that nurture their love of movement.
Overall
Opportunities for learning are provided through individual and group times. Literacy, mathematics, science, social studies, the arts, technology and process skills are part of the program curriculum.
Highly Trained Staff
Of utmost importance to parents, is the relationship their child has with their teacher. With Discovery Learning Preschool, not only do you receive highly trained staff members, you also receive warm, caring adults committed to your child’s success. Staff is trained in child development, CPR, first aid and cultural diversity with continuous professional development throughout the school year. In addition, they are experienced, dedicated and truly love their work.
Engaging Environments
When looking for the right location for your child’s preschool, be sure to consider the convenience of Discovery Learning Preschool. Class locations cover all ends of the school district and are conveniently located at Zimmerman, Otsego, Rogers and Elk River.
There are several important components to our program:
- Choice time in an environment planned for learning.
- Outdoor or gym time, small group time, circle time and snack time
- Learning centers include blocks, dramatic play, toys and games, art, library, discovery, sand and water, music and movement, cooking, computers and outdoors.
- Many opportunities for large motor activities exist with access to a gym, riding bikes and playgrounds.
- The Nature Explore Center (Elk River location) is a learning environment outside the traditional classroom walls that enhances the overall preschool experience.
Safety is Top Priority
Your child’s safety is of utmost importance to us. At all locations, regular safety drills are conducted, classroom doors are locked, teachers use walkie-talkies on the playground and there is access to the district health services department.
Customized To Meet Your Child’s Needs
Each child is special and unique in their own way and Discovery Learning can enhance each child’s experience to meet their needs.
- Discovery Learning differentiates and enriches the curriculum in order to engage and challenge children who are ready for more.
- Many classrooms provide inclusion opportunities for children with special needs and are co-taught with staff from Early Childhood Special Education.
- Different learning styles are used throughout the day: large group, small group, individual lessons, hands-on learning, as well as different materials.
- Response to Intervention (RTI) is used in a combination of high quality, culturally and linguistically responsive instruction; assessment; and evidence-based intervention.
Parent Education and Involvement
Core to our program is parent education. A professional and highly trained Parent Educator is assigned to each classroom. The parent education component focuses on the child’s experience in preschool and the family as a whole. Within the 3s classes, parent discussion, along with parent and child activities, are held weekly. Within the 4s classes, there will be five parent education sessions throughout the year. Parent involvement is key within the program too! Parent involvement helps lay the foundation for success in school and life. There are many ways parents can be involved including: volunteering, sharing skills, helping within the classroom and/or joining our Advisory Council. We welcome parents and caregivers at any time!
Technology
Technology continues to evolve and is a key component in the Discovery Learning Program. In addition, computers and touch screens are utilized within the classroom.
District transportation available for Discovery Learning Preschool!
If your home address is within the ISD 728 boundaries, you can choose transportation for your child to morning or afternoon preschool classes for an additional fee. Transportation is provided by Vision Transportation, the vendor for all district busing. A transportation request form must be on file for your child to ride the bus. All transportation requests are processed by the Early Childhood office.
Your child will be picked up by a district bus with enough time for them to arrive for the start of class; you are responsible for handing your child over to the bus driver. Upon arrival at preschool, your child will be escorted off the bus by our preschool staff and brought to their classroom. Upon completion of class, your child will be escorted to the bus by the preschool staff and transferred onto the bus; families are responsible for meeting the bus upon drop-off. Specific pick-up and drop-off times will be communicated in the August mailing for the following school year.
Note: Reduced and sliding fee scale also applies to transportation costs.
