Preschool

This program provides developmentally appropriate opportunities for children three through five years old. Our program provides a rich, activity-based preschool learning environment that meets the individual needs of all the enrolled children, Children learn and practice skills in all areas through large and small group participation, activity centers, and child-directed play. The goal is to build upon the strengths and capabilities of our students. We believe that children are more alike than they are different and they learn a great deal from watching and interacting with one another. If you would like more information, please complete the form below. 

Preschool and ECEAP Interest Form

Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program is another option for pre-school aged children. Additional information can be found below. 

Ferndale School District's Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP) is a state-funded, free preschool program for qualifying children and families. ECEAP is a comprehensive preschool program that partners with parents to support both student learning and the whole family. ECEAP has three main parts to the program: 

1. Preschool services for 3 and 4-year-old children – ECEAP focuses on preparing children for kindergarten and success in school using a “whole child” approach. This includes social-emotional skills, language, thinking skills and physical development, as well as academic skills such as literacy and mathematics. Preschoolers learn through play and interactions, so during class children will have a meal as a group, large group/circle time, small group opportunities, and ample time to make choices about their play, both indoors and out. 
2. Family services – ECEAP focuses on supporting family stability and connectedness. In ECEAP, we will work with parents to set goals for their family and provide resources, tools, and other support. Parents will have opportunities to be involved, learn about topics that interest them and gain support from staff and other families. 
3. Health and nutrition services – ECEAP focuses on child and family health and well-being. Children will receive developmental and health screenings, and we work with parents to ensure children have preventative medical and dental care. Health and nutrition activities and education will be a regular part of the program for both children and families.  

To enroll in ECEAP, families must apply and qualify. Eligibility is based on income, family circumstances, and environmental or developmental factors.   Transportation is not guaranteed. However, families who demonstrate substantial need, may request assistance and efforts will be made to provide accommodations if possible. 

To see if you qualify, please complete the form below. 

Preschool and ECEAP Interest Form

Transitional Kindergarten is for children who are not currently in an early learning program and are scheduled to begin kindergarten in the fall of 2026. This program will focus on foundational social, emotional, academic, and self-help skills to jumpstart qualifying students toward success in school in a play-based setting. Students will be screened in the Spring and may qualify based on academic and social-emotional needs. 

Furthermore, the district must prioritize families with the lowest incomes and children most in need of additional preparation to be successful in kindergarten. Beyond suspected disabilities, several other factors might influence the eligibility of children applying for the TK program, including developmental readiness, age requirements, residency and enrollment priority, screening and assessment results, and the availability of resources and space within the program. 

Is your child 4 and turning 5 after August 31, 2026 --> Complete Interest Form

Please Note: While we still have limited availability in our Transitional Kindergarten program, we will not be screening or enrolling additional families until mid to late August. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

For requirements for Transitional Kindergarten, please see below:

• The child must be 4 years of age prior to August 31, 2025, and not yet 5 years old;
• The child is not currently enrolled in an early learning program, such as: licensed childcare, preschool, co-op preschool, ECEAP, Head Start, etc. (full or part-time);
• The child resides within the attendance boundaries of the Ferndale School District.
• The child demonstrates learning and/or social-emotional needs through a screening process. Screenings and registration will take place in April 2025.
• Priority will be given to children in most need who have had little or no access to an early learning experience.

Program Details:

• Located at each of our five elementary schools
• Schedule: Follows the school district calendar
• Bus transportation can be provided for those who meet district boundary guidelines

Our Transitional Kindergarten classes are currently full. Families are welcome to complete the form below to join our waitlist. If a space becomes available, we will contact you directly.

TK and Kindergarten Page Information

Toddler Time

Toddler Time is hosted at at Mt. View School located at 5780 Hendrickson Ave, Ferndale WA 98248. Registration is not required for this drop-in play group. Just show up and play!

Schedule: Every Monday 10:00-11:30 am. 

Weekly facilitated playgroups for young children ages birth to five and their family, friend, neighbor, caregivers, and parents. The group has a trained facilitator who plans and sets up culturally and developmentally appropriate activities for children and their caregivers to participate in together. The class is 90 minutes we play, sing, read, and have fun! Come and see how to play and learn! For more information please contact Ashley Hill at Ashley.Hill@ferndalescools.org.

Kindergarten registration runs from the beginning of March through the end of April (although registrations are accepted all year). Children must be 5 before Sept. 1 to attend kindergarten. Check with your school office for early entrance opportunities. View the registration -link to registration website webpage for information.

In Ferndale, we believe that it's not your child's job to be "ready for kindergarten," it's our job as adults to be ready for your child. If you'd like ideas and inspiration about how to interact with your child in a playful way that will promote growth and development, please see the ideas listed below (this is not a comprehensive list).

• Play games with your child to practice taking turns.
• Visit the local library.
• Set up play dates this summer.
• Visit your child’s school playground and practice playing on the equipment and following typical and socially appropriate rules such as ‘slides are for going down.’
• Have your child practice following one-step and two-step directions. This could easily be done by making lunch together, or having them pick up their toys.
• Read to your child for a combined total of at least 20 minutes a day.
• Draw together, allowing your child time to practice using different tools (crayons, markers, pencils, side walk chalk).
• Have your child practice writing their name multiple ways (with playdough, using a stick in the dirt/sand, in shaving cream, using side walk chalk, or on paper for example).
• Have your child practice sorting objects around the house, this is especially fun while doing chores together (sort clothes, silverware, their toys).
• While driving in the car or shopping in a grocery store, notice letters, numbers, colors on signs, or in the objects around them.
• Count objects together. Count everything in and out of the home. While collecting rocks is especially fun!
• Engage in pretend play together. For example, use a plain cardboard box to go on an adventure to the moon!
• Visit local parks and beaches and take time to notice the amazing wonders nature has to offer.
• Provide plenty of opportunity to allow your child to engage in free play both inside and outside the house on a daily basis.

WaKIDS

The Washington Kindergarten Inventory of Developing Skills (WaKIDS) is a Washington state initiative to support transition process for children entering kindergarten. WaKIDS helps to ensure a successful start to the PK-12 experience and connect the key adults in a child's life.

Kindergarten teachers observe children during everyday classroom activities. This helps teachers find out what each child knows and can do at the beginning of the school year. Knowing more about children's entering skills and strengths helps teachers and parents work together to support student growth in the kindergarten year.

WaKIDS consists of:

• Family Connection - welcomes families into the Washington K-12 system as partners in their child's education.
• Whole-Child assessment - helps kindergarten teachers learn about the skills and strengths of the children in their classrooms so they can meet the needs of each child.
• Early learning collaboration - aligns practices of early learning professionals and kindergarten teachers to support smooth transitions for children.

What skills are on the WaKIDS inventory?

Early in the school year, kindergarten teachers take an inventory of each child's developing skills in six areas:

• Social-emotional
• Physical
• Cognitive
• Language
• Literacy
• Mathematics

The teacher uses an observational tool called GOLD® Objectives and Dimensions for WaKIDS – Evidence Worksheet.

Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 3 Alignment (P-3)

Pre-Kindergarten through 3rd Grade Alignment, or “P-3” is a comprehensive reform strategy that is gaining momentum, both nationally and within our region, focused on ensuring that all children develop the cognitive and social skills that establish strong foundations for future learning. Our administrators and teacher leaders have been involved in this work and are committed to improving outcomes for our youngest learners.

If your child’s fifth birthday falls after August 31 and you are interested in having your child evaluated for early entrance to kindergarten to attend school in the fall, please apply for early entrance by clicking the link to the Early Entrance Application here. 

Assessments and evaluations will take place at the same date as out Transitional Kindergarten Screener. 

Developmental Screenings

What is a Child Find Developmental Screening?
Screening is a free check of your child’s development that will include:

• Large muscle development (gross motor skills)
• Eye-hand coordination (fine motor skills)
• Communication skills
• Concepts (cognitive skills)
• Social/emotional skills
• Self-help skills

What is the purpose of a Child Find Screening?

The purpose of the screening is to identify any factors that may interfere with your child’s learning, growth and development. The screening is also provided to help parents identify their child’s strengths and weaknesses and provide home suggestions and/or further evaluation if needed in any area of concern.

What happens during a Child Find Screening?

During the screening, your child may stack small blocks, cut with scissors, draw, count, name colors, jump, and will have fun! Following the screening, a trained professional will talk with you about the results of the screening. You will have the opportunity to ask any questions about your child’s development. You may be given home suggestions, referred on for further testing, or be scheduled to have skills rechecked at a later date. The screening process usually takes about 45 minutes to an hour.

Who is eligible to be screened?

Any child, birth to age five, whose family or caregiver would like more information about their child’s development. All school districts within Washington State have Child Find screenings available. If your family is living in a temporary situation, you may contact the district where you are staying to attend a screening.

For more information and to schedule a screening, please contact Cristina Smith using the information below:

360.383.9974

Christina.Smith@ferndalesd.org

• Link to Screening Referral Form
• Link to Screening Referral Form (Spanish)