Preschool & Prekindergarten

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
• 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.

Preschool for Threes and Prekindergarten for Fours 

• Jan. 14, 2026: Registration opens at 9 a.m. online osseo.ce.eleyo.com 

• Feb. 13, 2026: Registration deadline for the lottery is noon.

• Feb. 17, 2026: Registration lottery drawing held. 
• Feb. 20, 2026: Families notified by email of lottery results.
• Feb. 25, 2026: Registration will open back up to public. 

Tuition Free Prekindergarten (also known as Voluntary PreK or VPK)

Birch Grove School for the Arts:

• Apply: Oct. 15-Dec. 17, 2025 {Lottery 1: January 14} - this deadline has passed. 
• Apply:  Jan. 21-March 11 {Lottery 2: Mar 25:}
• Apply online at www.nws.k12.mn.us. Contact Northwest Suburban Integration School District at 763-450-1303 with questions.

All other Tuition Free Prekindergarten schools (non-magnet: Edinbrook, Elm Creek, Fair Oaks, Garden City, Oak View, Palmer Lake
Park Brook elementary schools and Zanewood Community: A STEAM School). 

• Apply: Nov. 15- Jan. 15 {Lottery 1: Jan. 20:}
• Ongoing enrollment through the start of school in fall 2026.
• Application questions can be directed to the Enrollment Center staff at (763) 585-7350.

Four Star Express prekindergarten plus child care

• Jan. 14, 2026: Registration opens at 9 a.m. online at osseo.ce.eleyo.com 
• Jan. 31, 2026: Registeration due by today for lottery. 
• Feb. 2, 2026: Registration deadline for the lottery is 9 a.m. Lottery held on this day.
• Feb. 9, 2026: Families notified by email of lottery results.

Blast Wrap Around Care

Registration information will be sent to families after their student’s prekindergarten registration at Oak View Elementary School is approved.

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
• 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:

School year 2025-26 applications: 

2025-26 Free Half Day (Mon.-Fri.) prekindergarten attendance area school application

2025-26 free Half Day, (MOn.-Fri.) prekindergarten open enrollment school choice application

2025-26 Free half day, (MON.-FRI.) prekindergarten Birch grove school for the arts NWSISD magnet lottery application

2025-26 Free half day, (MON.-FRI.) prekindergarten birch grove nwsisd magNet school infomation 

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

Parents/guardians will receive an email with their child's class placement after the lottery. Each program has a schedule for sending notifications. Applications remain open in programs after the lottery until all spots are filled. 

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.