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Tiger Cubs is the West Des Moines Community Schools preschool program. WDMCS also partners with other area preschools and preschool programs.
General Preschool Information
Age Guidelines
Most preschools use guidelines set by the State of Iowa—a birthday on or before Sept. 15—to assign your child to a class.
Enrollment Information
Funding, tuition, and fees vary within the programs. You will need to provide health forms, immunizations records, and a copy of your child’s birth certificate when you register. Tuition costs vary depending on the center and the number of days the child attends and the funding options available.
Things to Look for When Choosing a Preschool
- A safe, clean and orderly learning environment
- A variety of interest and learning centers within the room (such as writing, library, math and dramatic play)
- Identified curriculum and assessments
- Indoor and outdoor play areas
- Teachers with backgrounds in early childhood
- “The right fit”—settings, teachers, and philosophies vary
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Statewide Voluntary Preschool Program
The Statewide Voluntary Preschool Program (SVPP) provides high-quality preschool opportunities for 4-year-old children. WDMCS district receives funding from the Iowa Department of Education for approximately 400 4-year-old children to attend preschool. This program is for children who will be 4-years-old on or before Sept. 15 of the school year for which they are enrolling.
Preschool Criteria
All preschools participating in the SVPP program will meet the following Iowa Department of Education criteria:
- The lead teacher will be certified in Early Childhood Education
- Minimum of 10 hours of instruction per week will be provided (most programs are 12 hours)
- Will meet IQPPS or NAEYC standards
- Will use a research-based curriculum and assessment
- Preschool staff will conduct a home visit with each participating family
Locations
Nine locations offer half-day programs, and two centers offer full-day programs.
- All WDMCS Tiger Cubs Preschools—all sections 2/3 funding from SVPP, 1/3 funding from Special Education
- WDMCS Partner Preschools, Half-Day Programs—funded by SVPP
- Sacred Heart Preschool*, 515-226-2146 (3 sections)
- West Des Moines United Methodist Church Preschool*, 515-279-8897 (3 sections)
- WDMCS Community Partners, Full-Day Programs
- These centers offer families a reduced fee so students may attend preschool while attending a center that can provide full-time child care.
- Cadence Academy—Ashworth Location, 515-226-9791
- Cadene Academy—Grand Location, 515-225-1837
Registration
Tigers Cubs preschool registration begins in January and continues throughout the school year. Visit our ‘Tiger Cubs Preschool’ page for more information.
To apply for SVPP in our partner preschools, you should contact the location of your choice for specific registration information and enrollment.
Please note: It is not necessary to meet income guidelines to participate in this program; however, students from families who reside in the district and/or meet income guidelines will be given priority placement.
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Head Start
Drake University Head Start has one program in the West Des Moines area at Covenant Presbyterian Church located at 28th and Ashworth. Call Drake Head Start at 515-271-1854 for placement information and financial guidelines.
Contact Us
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Kristin Rourk
Preschool Programs Administrator
Learning Resource Center
3550 Mills Civic Parkway
West Des Moines, IA 50265
515-633-5071
List of Area Preschools
As a resource for families of preschoolers, WDMCS Community Education publishes a directory of preschools in the western suburbs.
