Preschool Programs

Statewide Voluntary Preschool Program

The WDMCS receives funding from the Iowa Department of Education for approximately 260 four-year-old children to attend preschool. This program is for children who will be four years old on or before September 15 of the school year for which they are enrolling. Programs are located at three district buildings and six community preschool sites.

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Tiger Cubs Preschool

Tiger Cubs Preschool is coordinated through the WDMCS. Programs are located at Clive, Crestview Elementary Schools and Phenix Early Childhood Center. Tiger Cubs Preschool will provide an opportunity for your child to develop readiness skills for kindergarten through age-appropriate activities and experiences.

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Project Shine

Project Shine provides resources and tuition assistance for preschool-aged children from lower income households. The program is funded by Polk County Early Childhood Iowa.  The Preschool Programs Coordinator works closely with the child and the area preschools that meet certain quality standards.

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Special Education

The WDMCS has a special education preschool at Jordan Creek Elementary. Call Heartland Area Educational Agency at (515) 270-9030 for assessment and placement information. Or call Jordan Creek Elementary at (515) 633-5200.

Head Start

Drake University Head Start has two programs in the West Des Moines area. One is at Phenix Early Childhood Center located at 415 7th Street and the other is at Covenant Presbyterian Church located at 28th and Ashworth. Call Drake Head Start at (515) 271-1854 for placement information and financial guidelines.

List of Area Preschools

As a resource for families of preschoolers, WDMCS Community Education publishes a directory of preschools in the western suburbs.

Preschool Directory (pdf)