Preschool

Cambridge-Isanti Preschool provides educational experiences that enhance the cognitive, literacy, emotional, social and physical development of children ages three to five years.

The Cambridge-Isanti Preschool Focus of Learning is based on the Early Childhood Indicators of Progress from the Minnesota Department of Education. Meaningful unit themes spark children's interest and connect the different learning areas of the lesson plan. Various learning activities that relate to and expand each unit theme maximize the learning experience. The preschool staff are responsible for planning and creating activities that help children experience the joy of learning. Overall, our goal is to help children develop the foundational skills, attitudes and enjoyment of school that will contribute to future educational success.

Registration begins on February 1st for the following school year.

Enroll here using your current Eleyo account. New users need to create a user account and password. Once your account is established, simply follow through the steps, answering all the contract questions to complete your child’s contract and finish the registration process. If you do not receive a confirmation email, your registration is incomplete. Please log back into Eleyo to make sure your application is complete and submitted.

Here is a tip sheet from Eleyo on setting up an account profile. If you do not have internet access, please call the Early Childhood office at 763-691-6691 to submit a registration by phone.

You will receive a confirmation email if/when your child is placed in a class. Registrations will be reviewed in the order they were received.  Please note that while we do our best to accommodate all of our families, as classes fill up your child may not get your first or even second choice. In the event that this happens, you will be placed in your next available choice and put on the waitlist for your first choices. Our office staff will notify you if space opens up in a class you are on the waitlist for.

The Early Childhood office will send out additional information via email in late summer. The welcome letter will include information such as meet and greet dates/times and more specifics regarding the C-I Preschool program. An updated supply list will be available in June.

Yes! Please note that out-of-district C-I Preschool students must still complete an open enrollment application to attend Kindergarten in the C-I district.

There is a $40.00 non-refundable registration fee charged when your child’s contract is approved. Tuition is charged at a daily rate of $17 per half day ($38 for full day) for each scheduled school day. Families are not charged for days that are scheduled to be off such as holidays; however, charges are still applied if your child is absent or there is a weather-related closure. E-Learning is provided on weather related days.

For more specific information about rates, visit our Registration page.

Yes! Early Learning Scholarships are state-funded programs that enable children to attend preschool who otherwise might not be able to afford it.

School Readiness & Pathway II Scholarships are awarded through Cambridge-Isanti Preschool. Parents can apply to the program to see if they qualify. An application is available by filling out this form. Applications are emailed through Adobe Sign which allows us to collect information electronically and securely. To process your application a separate email with income verification such as the 1040 from your most recent tax return must be sent to earlychildhood@c-ischools.org, faxed to 763-691-6692, dropped in the lock box outside door 3 of Cambridge Intermediate School or mailed to Early Childhood, 428 2nd Ave NW, Cambridge, MN 55008.

Pathway I Scholarship is a state-funded program to assist in the cost of tuition. Families may apply for Pathway I scholarships by visiting www.families first mn.org.

Also, if you pay for the entire school year by September 30th, you will receive a 5% discount!

Yes! This is available through Adventure Center. 

Typical Schedule

• Morning/Afternoon Meeting
• Teacher-led small group instruction
• Student-led playful learning
• Shared reading
• Snack
• Songs/music
• Playground/recess/gym
• Sensory exploration

In Addition, for Full-Day Students:

• Lunch
• Recess
• Rest (students are not required to sleep, but are expected to rest quietly)
• Extended opportunities to explore morning concepts

C-I Preschool uses Big Day for PreK as our core resource.

It is important to know that the Cambridge-Isanti Preschool is developmentally-focused as opposed to academically-focused.

Preschool-age children are referred to as “reactive” learners (as opposed to older children who have the ability to learn “on-demand”) who prosper when learning activities are geared towards their interests and experiences in a play-based environment.

Below are the major developmental areas covered in our curriculum:

• Social & Emotional Development
• Approaches to Learning
• Language & Literacy Development
• Creativity & the Arts
• Cognitive Development
• Physical & Motor Development

Similarities

• Curriculum - Core Knowledge
• Daily schedule/Routine

 Differences

• Consistency coming to school every day
• More practice with the new skills they are learning to be kindergarten ready
• More time to expand their learning about the themes and child interest areas
• Teachers have more time to get to know each child and differentiate their instruction

Yes, including all non-school days.

Students can bring a cold lunch from home or get a hot lunch provided by the school. Our schools offer healthy meals each day. In Minnesota, Free School Meals for All is law. 

Students supply their own snacks

No, but we strongly encourage parents to screen at age 3 (the ideal age for screening is 3 1/2). Appointments may be scheduled online using your Eleyo account or by calling our office at 763-691-6691. Screening is a free service and is required by MN State law for all children prior to the start of Kindergarten. Parent(s) may choose to conscientiously object by submitting a signed statement.

If your child is enrolled at C-I Preschool and has not been screened we will make every effort to get a screening completed while they are in school.

Transportation for C-I Preschool is provided only for students receiving coordinated services through Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE).

Children should be able to use the bathroom independently and have minimal accidents when they come to preschool. If this is an obstacle, please contact the Early Childhood Coordinator at 763-691-6612 to see if an appropriate plan can be made.