Preschool for Threes and Preschool for Three to Fives
Announcement
Registration is first come, first served for remaining preschool spots at these school locations:
- Arbor View Early Childhood Center
- Cedar Island Elementary School
- Willow Lane Early Childhood Center
Learn more about preschool
- Preschool for Threes and Preschool for Three to Fives
- Nature Preschool for Three to Fives
- Preschool materials and resources
- Contact information
- Frequently Asked Questions and answers
- Early Childhood Parent Teacher Organization (ECPTO)
Preschool for Threes and Preschool for Three to Fives
Preschool is the start of an exciting educational journey for your child in Osseo Area Schools. Early Childhood Family Education's (EC&FE) affordable and enriching classroom based preschool programs include:
- Preschool for Threes - For children who turn three years old on or before Sept. 1, 2026
- Preschool for Three to Fives - For children who turn three or four years old on or before Sept. 1, 2026
Dedicated and experienced staff support your child’s growth and learning every step of the way. EC&FE's curriculum is designed to build confidence, independence, and essential academic and social skills so that your child is well-prepared for kindergarten.
Class time includes:
- Group time: Songs, stories, games, and movement activities that promote social interaction and build a sense of community.
- Gym or playground time: Fun and active play that supports the development of gross motor skills, either in a gym space or on the playground.
- Discovery time: Hands-on learning through play, featuring activities like art, literacy, math, dramatic play, science experiments, sensory exploration, and more.
- Book time: A dedicated time for children to engage with books, fostering a love for reading and storytelling
Locations:
Arbor View Early Childhood Center
Cedar Island Elementary School
Willow Lane Early Childhood Center
Nature Preschool for Three to Fives
At Nature Preschool, your child will thrive in an environment where learning comes alive through nature. The Arbor View Nature Play Area is designed to ignite curiosity, creativity, and a deep connection with the outdoors.
Each class time includes:
- Group time: Songs, stories, games, and movement activities that promote social interaction and community-building.
- Nature play time: Outdoor exploration and activities that encourage physical movement and support gross motor skills in a natural setting.
- Discovery time: Hands-on learning through play, including art projects, literacy and math activities, dramatic play, science experiments, sensory exploration, and more—all inspired by the wonders of nature.
The nature-focused approach nurtures the whole child, supporting cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development in a nurturing, exploratory setting.
Location:
Arbor View Early Childhood Center - Nature Play Area
Nature Preschool frequently asked questions and answers
- Does my child need to be toilet trained before starting in the program?
- What are the Nature Preschool guidelines during extreme weather?
- How much time do children spend outdoors during Nature Preschool?
- What if my child isn't used to playing outside?
- My child currently attends a preschool program in Osseo Area Schools. Do I need to complete the kindergarten enrollment process?
Does my child need to be toilet trained before starting in the program?
Please check with each program for their specific toilet-training expectations. Our four-year-old programs ask that children are mostly self-sufficient with bathroom needs; while recognizing every child develops at their own pace and we partner with families to support that growth. Families can also reach out to Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) for resources—licensed parent educators offer phone consults, visits, and classes on toilet training and other child-development topics.
What are the Nature Preschool guidelines during extreme weather?
In cases of extreme weather, such as lightning, extreme cold, or heat advisories, outdoor activities may be modified, moved indoors, or canceled for safety reasons. For specific weather-related guidelines view the Nature Preschool Weather Guidelines
How much time do children spend outdoors during Nature Preschool?
What if my child isn't used to playing outside?
My child currently attends a preschool program in Osseo Area Schools. Do I need to complete the kindergarten enrollment process?
Osseo Area Schools is transitioning to new attendance boundaries for the 2026-27 school year. Please look at both School Finder tools to determine your household's school assignments now and into the future.
Will my child go to the same school for preschool, prekindergarten and kindergarten?
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.
Preschool materials and resources
Contact information
Early Childhood & Family Education (EC&FE)
Arbor View Early Childhood Center
9401 Fernbrook Ln. N.
Maple Grove, MN 55369
Phone: 763-391-8777
Email: ecfe@district279.org
Office hours:
Monday-Friday
8 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Early Childhood & Family Education (EC&FE)
Willow Lane Early Childhood Center
7020 Perry Ave., N.
Brooklyn Center, MN 55429
Phone: 763-585-7330
Email: ecfe@district279.org
Office hours:
Monday-Friday
8 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Frequently Asked Questions and answers
- When does registration open for school year 2026-27?
- How do I register my child for preschool or prekindergarten?
- Does my child need to complete Early Childhood Screening before registering for preschool or prekindergarten?
- Is transportation available for my child?
- Can I register after the lottery is held?
- Does my child need to be toilet trained before starting in the program?
- How does the lottery process work?
- What happens if my child doesn’t get into one the classes I select in the lottery?
- After the lottery is held, how many waiting rooms can my child be in?
- How does the waiting room work?
- How much is tuition?
- How do I make tuition payments?
- How do I know who is teaching my child's class?
- Can I schedule a tour to visit a school or classroom?
- My child currently attends a preschool program in Osseo Area Schools. Do I need to complete the kindergarten enrollment process?
When does registration open for school year 2026-27?
Preschool for Threes and Prekindergarten for Fours
-
Jan. 14, 2026 at 9 a.m.: Registration opened at osseoschools.arux.app
-
Feb. 13, 2026 at noon: Registration deadline for the lottery.
- Feb. 17, 2026: Registration lottery drawing held.
- Feb. 20, 2026: Families notified by email of lottery results.
- Feb. 25, 2026: Registration opened back up to public.
How do I register my child for preschool or prekindergarten?
You can register online at osseoschools.arux.app. There you will find complete class schedules and details. If you need assistance, call 763-391-8777 or email ecfe@district279.org.
Does my child need to complete Early Childhood Screening before registering for preschool or prekindergarten?
- No, your child does not need to complete Early Childhood Screening before registering. Have your child screened between the ages of three and five.
- Early Childhood Screening is a free and simple way to check your child’s growth, development, and learning. Learn more about screening.
- If your child has already been screened in another school district, please email the screening paperwork to ecfe@district279.org.
Is transportation available for my child?
Can I register after the lottery is held?
Does my child need to be toilet trained before starting in the program?
Please check with each program for their specific toilet-training expectations. Our programs ask that children are mostly self-sufficient with bathroom needs; while recognizing every child develops at their own pace and we partner with families to support that growth.
For families seeking additional guidance, Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) offers several supportive resources:
- Video: Watch Toileting at Preschool for practical tips and expectations.
- Live online Q&A sessions: Join an ECFE Parent Educator for a FREE online, supportive group discussion. Two sessions to choose from: March 9, 2026 - 6:30-7:30 p.m. or March 17, 2026 - 1:30-2:30 p.m.
- Personalized support: Connect with a licensed parent educator for individual phone consultations, home visits, or specialized classes.
Questions? Call 763-391-8777 or email ECFE@district279.org
How does the lottery process work?
What happens if my child doesn’t get into one the classes I select in the lottery?
After the lottery is held, how many waiting rooms can my child be in?
How does the waiting room work?
When a spot becomes available in a class, the office runs a mini-lottery among the students in that class’s waiting room. Parents or guardians of the selected child are notified and have 48 hours to respond by phone or email to accept the spot. If there is no response, another mini-lottery is held, and the spot is offered to someone else.
How much is tuition?
Tuition is based on a sliding fee scale that considers household income and family size. The specific fee scale is available in the registration brochure. If the tuition cost would prevent you from enrolling your child, call 763-391-8777 to discuss financial assistance. Scholarships may be available to help reduce tuition for families who qualify.
How do I make tuition payments?
- Tuition is divided into nine equal monthly payments, due on the 15th of each month. Payments are automatically charged to the credit card or bank account you provide.
- If you prefer, you can pay the full annual tuition upfront and receive a 5% discount if payment is made before Sept. 14.
- When your child is enrolled in a class after the lottery process, a nonrefundable $25 registration fee and the first month's tuition are charged. The remaining eight payments are made monthly from September through April
How do I know who is teaching my child's class?
Can I schedule a tour to visit a school or classroom?
My child currently attends a preschool program in Osseo Area Schools. Do I need to complete the kindergarten enrollment process?
Osseo Area Schools is transitioning to new attendance boundaries for the 2026-27 school year. Please look at both School Finder tools to determine your household's school assignments now and into the future.
Will my child go to the same school for preschool, prekindergarten and kindergarten?
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.
Early Childhood Parent Teacher Organization (ECPTO)
Whether you are brand new to the ECFE programs or have been participating for a while, ECPTO is a welcoming community where we connect with other families, collaborate on fun events, and help make our programs (Preschool, PreK, and ECFE) even better for young learners. Every voice matters here, and your involvement truly makes a difference!
2025-26 Meeting dates
Meeting dates for the 2026-27 school year will be released as soon as they are finalized. Check back in early August for updates.
To learn more about the ECPTO visit the ECPTO WEBSITE email infoECPTO@gmail.com or call 763-391-8777.
How to apply for preschool
If you need assistance, call 763-391-8777 or email ecfe@district279.org.
- Learn about school year 2026–27 attendance boundaries and use school finder tools
- Complete an application
- Ask about scholarship eligibility or financial assistance
Learn about school year 2026–27 attendance boundaries and use school finder tools
Osseo Area Schools is transitioning to new attendance boundaries for the 2026-27 school year. Please look at both School Finder tools to determine your household's school assignments now and into the future.