Early Childhood Education

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.

Transitional Kindergarten, formerly known as Jump Start, is a free full day five-days-per-week transitional kindergarten for students who are scheduled to enter kindergarten in the upcoming fall. Classes run from September through June. Students enter the Transitional Kindergarten program based on need and/or ability such as financial, social emotional, academics, and /or transportation needs. Students must be 4 years old prior to August 31 to be eligible for the current school year. Students cannot be enrolled in another early learning program. Classes are taught by highly qualified teachers and teacher assistants. Students will learn the routines of kindergarten, colors, shapes, alphabet, and numbers, sharing and following directions in a school setting. Most of all, kids will have fun while learning! Space is limited. for more information about Transitional Kindergarten you can contact Nina Ballew at 360-383-9572 or nina.ballew@ferndalesd.org. 

Applications are not currently being accepted and will become available early Spring 2024. 

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 contact Ashley Hill at ashley.hill@ferndalesd.org. 

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: Raewyn Allen at 360- 383-9572 or email Raewyn.Allen@Ferndalesd.org or fill out the form below.

Link to Screening Referral Form

 

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!

Fall 2023 Schedule: Every Tuesday 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 Patricia at Patricia.Curtis@ferndalesd.org.

Child Care Aware link

Child Care Aware of Washington is a nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring that every child in Washington has access to high-quality childcare and early learning programs. Created by state statute in 1986 and incorporated in 1989, it is the only statewide childcare resource and referral program in Washington.

Community Resources and Preschools

• AHA Learning Center/Childcare: 360.594.1445
• Busy Kids Preschool; 360.933.0644
• Christ Lutheran Preschool; 360.384.1422
• Endless Potential ABA Kindergarten Prep; 360.746.4092
• Ferndale Community Preschool Services
• Ferndale Public Library Story Time; 360.384.3647
• Ferndale Toddle Time: Every Tuesday at 10:00 to 11:30 at Mountain View School, 5780 Hendrickson Ave, Ferndale WA 98248. 
• Growing Oaks Preschool; 360.592.3041
• Gym Star Preschool; 360.384.3861
• Honey Hill School; 360.471.8474
• Little Lambs Preschool; 360.318.4196
• Loving Tree Preschool; 360.384.3302
• Lummi Head Start; 360.384.2260
• Sunrise Preschool; 360.366.5700
• West County Head Start; 360.734.8396

This is not an exhaustive list and this is contact info only, not recommendations, as each family must determine the fit of a program for their child and family needs.