Children who turn 3 on or before Sept. 1, 2026 are eligible for: 

• Preschool for Threes 
• Preschool for Three to Fives
• Nature Play Preschool for Three to Fives

If your child will not be 3 by Sept. 1, 2026, explore Osseo Area Schools' Community Education's Early Childhood Family Education parenting and play-based classes for families with children birth to age 5. 

Children who turn 4 on or before Sept. 1, 2026 are eligible for: 

• Tuition Free Prekindergarten 
• Prekingergarten for Fours 
• Four Star Express- This program is full with a waiting list for the 2026-27 school year. 
• Blast Wrap Around Care 

These programs are coordinated by different teams in Osseo Area Schools. Each program provides play-based learning, highly qualified staff, family and community engagement, flexible schedules and options to meet family needs.

Enrollment in Osseo Area Schools’ preschool and prekindergarten programs does not automatically transfer to kindergarten. Parents/guardians will need to complete kindergarten enrollment for their child. Learn about how to enroll your child in kindergarten on the district website osseoschools.org/enroll.

Exceptions include:

1). Students who are enrolled in the district’s Tuition Free Prekindergarten program (they are promoted to their attendance area school for kindergarten).

2). At Birch Grove School for the Arts (a magnet school through Northwest Suburban Integration School District (NWSISD) students enrolled in Tuition Free Prekindergarten or Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) will be promoted to kindergarten. If their home school offers an ECSE program, parents/guardians can choose for their child to attend there or continue at Birch Grove.

3). Students receiving special education services will be contacted by their case manager if the assigned school is not their area school of attendance.

Apply online for the following programs: 

• Preschool for Threes
• Preschool for Three to Fives
• Nature Play Preschool for Three to Fives
• Prekindergarten for Fours 
• Four Star Express prekindergarten + care 
  Note: This program is full with a waiting list for the 2026-27 school year 
• Blast Wrap Around Care (extended childcare for students in a prekindergarten class at Oak View Elementary School.).  

To Apply For all other non-magnet schools with Tuition Free Prekindergarten:

In fee-based programs, families may be eligible for a scholarship or child care assistance that can help lower the cost of tuition. 

Early Childhood Screening is a free and simple way to check your child’s growth, development and learning.

• Have your child screened between the ages of three and five.
• Call 763-391-8777 or go online to schedule a free, one-hour screening appointment
• If your child has already been screened in another school district, include the screening paperwork with your application. 
• Learn more about Early Childhood Screening.

A Screening appointment includes:

• A check of vision, hearing, height, weight and developmental progress.
• A review of immunizations records and family information.
• An individual review with parents/guardians of their child's progress and needs.

Why it matters: Early Childhood Screening identifies needs that may require special attention before a child starts school.

Parents/caregivers can contact Osseo Area Schools' Community Education's Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) program for resources. Licensed parent educators offer phone consults, visits, and classes on toilet training and other child-development topics. ECFE's main office phone number is 763-391-8777 and email is ecfe@district279.org. 

For children ages birth to three with developmental concerns, including speech and/or language development, contact:

Claire Becerra, Administrative Professional, NW Hennepin Help Me Grow
Willow Lane Early Childhood Center
763-585-7335  |  BecerraC@district279.org

For children ages 3-5 with developmental concerns, including speech and/or language development, contact:

Mariam Abbas, Administrative Professional
Willow Lane Early Childhood Center
763-585-7300  |  AbbasM@district279.org

• Each school offers scheduled tours for families to learn more about student experiences. Contact the school or program directly to schedule a tour. 
• Programs may offer an orientation for families before the school year begins. Each program will provide a schedule and more information to families closer to the start of the new school year,  typically in August. 
• Elementary School Open Houses are one-time events offered typically in late August or early September before the school year begins for families to tour the school and meet staff. Check the district website in the spring of 2026 for the schedule for the 2026-27 school year.