Four Star Express prekindergarten plus care

• Family and student terms PDF (English)
• Tip Sheet PDF (English)
• Register, view and remove instructions PDF (English) 

• Tuition calendar PDF (English)

• Non School Day deadlines to register and cancel by and date approved PDF (English) 

Four Star Express is for children to who turn four on or before Sept. 1, 2026. 

• Visit our website at www.fourstarexpress279.org , scroll down to Four Star Express, and select Registration.
• 2026-27 Four Star Express registration opens Jan. 14, 2026 5 at 9 a.m. until Jan. 31, 2026. A lottery drawing will take place Feb. 2, 2026. Families will be notified no later than Feb. 9, 2026 if their child's contract has been accepted.

Yes, you can register for up to 2 locations. During the registration process, you will have the opportunity to indicate your first and second choice in the Questions and Answers section. Your top two location preferences will be taken into account during the lottery process.

No, your child does not need to complete Early Childhood Screening before registering. However, we recommend having your child screened around age three (or up to age five) Early Childhood Screening is a FREE and simple way to check your child’s growth, development, and learning. You can schedule your child's Early Childhood Screening appointment online. 

All registrations submitted during the registration window have an equal chance of being accepted. Registrations will be randomized and accepted based on available space.

• If your contract is accepted, you will receive an automated email confirmation no later than Feb. 9, 2026. We do ask that you email us a copy of your child’s birth certificate & immunization records once your contract has been accepted.
•  If your contract is not accepted, you will receive an email from the business office, no later than Feb. 9, 2026. Your registration along with your first and second choice will remain open after the lottery unless you “cancel contract request”. As space becomes available, we will notify families in the order determined by the lottery.

Yes. Your contact will remain pending until approved by program admin. 

Children must be fully toilet-trained and able to use the bathroom independently. While staff can provide guidance and support, including assisting with clothing changes if necessary, pull-up/diapers are not considered a substitute for being toilet-trained.

While recognizing every child develops at their own pace and we partner with families to support that growth. Families can also reach out to 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.

The weekly tuition is $303, or $12,120 total for the 40 week program.

Four Star Express does accept child care assistance through your county. Our program also offers scholarships through an application process. These can be requested through our business office.

We invoice on Thursday and it is deducted from your autopayment on Monday for that week of care. Autopayment is required to be setup through your Four Star Express online account. 

You can drop off your child as early as 7:00 a.m. and pickup is by 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. The “school hours” follow the hours of the Elementary School your child attends.

20 children are in each classroom, the child to staff ratio is 1:10.

We offer a collaborative and developmentally appropriate childcare experience designed to support the early needs of children in a school setting. Our program features hands-on learning through play, social-emotional development, and a structured classroom environment. Additionally, we incorporate curriculum that aligns with the district's early childhood programs. Our program includes up to five field trips throughout the school year, all covered by your tuition.

Yes, Four Star Express does provide breakfast, lunch and afternoon snack. This is included in the price of your tuition.

Four Star provides a daily rest period lasting 30 minutes to an hour. While children are not required to sleep, they are encouraged to rest their bodies and participate in quiet activities in a designated space.

Transportation is not a guarantee for Four Star Express children. To be considered for transportation, an older sibling needs to be on the same bus and there must be capacity on the bus route. If you have questions, visit the Transportation Department website, email bus@district279.org or call the transportation office at 763-391-7244.

If a request is received by August 14, 2026, transportation will start the first day of school (if eligible) for the 2026-27 school year. Requests received after August 14, 2026 will be processed in the order received once routes are open in mid-September. 

Yes. Four Star Express is open on most non-school days. Registration for non-school days can be made online in your account with a current contract. Non-school day requests remain pending until approved two weeks prior to the non-school date. Non-school days are included in tuition.

• If a family withdraws and there is another family registered at the time of withdrawal who accepts this opening, we will provide a full refund of the last week’s deposit.
•  If a family withdraws by 11:59 p.m. on June 30, 2026  and the opening cannot be filled at the time of withdrawal, we will provide a half refund of your last week’s deposit.
• If a family withdraws after 11:59 p.m., on June 30, 2026 and the opening cannot be filled at the time of withdrawal, no refund will be provided.

Families that choose to re-enroll their child for a second year in Four Star Express can participate in the lottery process; families are not guaranteed for re-enrollment.

Staff assignments will be finalized in August 2026. If your registration is accepted, you will receive an invitation to attend a virtual Four Star Preview, where we will share basic information and introduce the staff supporting your child's classroom. Classroom staff will be available for the upcoming school year, the week before school begins.

Yes, with parental consent, we are happy to collaborate with Early Childhood Special Education or other outside providers. While our staff do not make recommendations for services, we can assist with referrals upon request from families.

Four Star staff are not trained special education professionals and are not equipped to deliver specialized services. However, we are dedicated to supporting children with Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) and committed to fostering an inclusive and accommodating environment while operating within our scope of expertise and available resources.

Yes, we offer opportunities to visit a classroom during the school year months. Contact us to schedule a time.