Introduction
This page focuses on School Readiness, the public school program available to Minnesota children, age 3 years to kindergarten enrollment who meet certain eligibility requirements. For the concept of school readiness (schools being ready for children and children being ready for school), see MDE's School Readiness page or the World's Best Workforce page on this site.
The purpose of a School Readiness program is to prepare children to enter kindergarten. The goal of School Readiness is to help preschoolers enter school with the skills and behaviors necessary to be successful in future learning.
It is a priority of School Readiness to involve parents in their child’s learning and education. Research has shown that early childhood programs that involve parents and children working together are more effective than programs that only focus on the child. Involving families early encourages parents to play a more active role throughout their child’s education.
This page contains information and resources that will help you supervise and lead your School Readiness program.
FAQs
Does a school district have to provide a School Readiness program?
A district or a group of districts may establish a School Readiness program.
What is the purpose of a School Readiness program?
The purpose of a School Readiness program is to prepare children to enter kindergarten.
Who is eligible to participate in a School Readiness program?
A child is eligible to participate in a School Readiness program if the child:
- Is at least three years old on September 1;
- Has completed health and developmental screening within 90 days of program enrollment under sections 121A.16 to 121A.19; and
- Has one or more of the following risk factors:
- qualifies for free or reduced-price lunch;
- is an English learner;
- is homeless;
- has an individualized education program (IEP) or standardized written plan;
- is identified, through health and developmental screenings under sections 121A.16 to 121A.19, with a potential risk factor that may influence learning; or
- is defined as at risk by the school district.
Can a child who does not meet the eligibility requirements participate in a School Readiness program?
Children who do not meet the eligibility requirements listed above may participate on a fee-for-service basis.
Importantly, school districts must use School Readiness aid for eligible children.
If a child meets the eligibility requirements, but resides in another school district, can he/she participate in our School Readiness program?
Yes, a school district may not restrict participation to district residents.
Must we serve all children who apply to our program?
No. One situation that may prevent you from serving a child is space limitations (e.g. full preschool sections).
We do not have any available slots remaining in our preschool, but we have children who qualify for School Readiness. How can we provide these children with services?
A district may pay tuition or fees to place an eligible child in an existing program. Also, services may be provided in a site-based program or in the home of the child or a combination of both.
What are School Readiness programs required to provide?
A school readiness program provider must:
- assess each child's cognitive and language skills with a comprehensive child assessment instrument when the child enters and again before the child leaves the program to improve program planning and implementation, communicate with parents, and promote kindergarten readiness;
- provide comprehensive program content and intentional instructional practice aligned with the state early childhood learning guidelines and kindergarten standards and based on early childhood research and professional practice that is focused on children's cognitive, social, emotional, and physical skills and development and prepares children for the transition to kindergarten, including early literacy and language skills;
- coordinate appropriate kindergarten transition with parents and kindergarten teachers;
- involve parents in program planning and decision making;
- coordinate with relevant community-based services;
- cooperate with adult basic education programs and other adult literacy programs;
- ensure staff-child ratios of one-to-ten and maximum group size of 20 children with the first staff required to be a teacher; and
- have teachers knowledgeable in early childhood curriculum content, assessment, native and English language development programs, and instruction.
Our school district has a Community Education preschool. Do we have to have a separate School Readiness preschool?
No. A school district may use School Readiness funds to purchase slots in the Community Education preschool. Also, a district may contract with a charter school or community-based organization to provide eligible children developmentally appropriate services that meet the School Readiness program requirements.
How do we determine fees or tuition for our School Readiness program?
A district must adopt a sliding fee schedule based on a family's income but must waive a fee for a participant unable to pay.
How do I know the amount of aid a School Readiness program receives?
The School Readiness Aid Entitlement Calculation can be found in the Minnesota Funding Reports (MFR) System.
How do I learn more about how budgeting works in my school district and with my School Readiness program?
A good place to start is to ask your program administrator or program finance director. For understanding how financial activity is reported in Minnesota, you should refer to the Uniform Financial Accounting and Reporting Standards (UFARS).
Can School Readiness aid be used to provide transportation?
Yes. Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.16, states that School Readiness aid shall be used only to provide a school readiness program and may be used to provide transportation.
The statutes say not more than 5 percent of program revenue can be used for the cost of administering a program. Does this apply to School Readiness coordinators?
A UFARS object code was created to distinguish ECFE and School Readiness coordinator salaries (120) from other administrator salaries (110). The 5 percent statutory limitation applies to object code 110.
Children need to complete health and developmental screening within 90 days of program enrollment to be eligible for School Readiness. Does enrollment begin the first day a child attends school or when the family registers /enrolls in preschool?
The definition of enrollment is determined by the district.
What reports do I have to submit to MDE? Where are they located?
See the Data Submissions to MDE page
Are there curricula and assessments that are recommended by MDE?
No. There is a range of curricula material being utilized.
See the Curriculum and Assessments page on MDE's website for further information.
Do we have to have licensed teachers in our School Readiness program?
Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.15, subdivision 10, addresses supervision. It states:
A program provided by a board must be supervised by a licensed early childhood teacher, a certified early childhood educator, or a licensed parent educator.
With regard to licensed teachers, there is no provision. However, School Readiness programs must have teachers knowledgeable in early childhood curriculum content, assessment, and instruction.
