Home

New Palestine Early Childhood Program

Little Dragons Early Learning Program

We are thrilled to welcome New Palestine's youngest learners—our 3 and 4-year-old Little Dragons! Enrollment for the 2025-2026 school year will open on February 20, 2025. We can’t wait to be part of your child’s educational journey. At Little Dragons, our teachers, staff, and community create a safe, nurturing space where early learners build strong academic and social-emotional foundations.

Join us as we prepare our Little Dragons to soar into a bright future. We are #NewPalProud to be a part of your child's first steps in education!

NOTE: The Early Childhood program is located at New Palestine Elementary School.

Developmental 3’s Preschool Program

The NPCS Little Dragons Developmental Preschool Program supports 3-year-olds who have been identified for special education services. At this time, this program is not open to general education students.

The Developmental Preschool class meets in half-day sessions. Placement is determined by each child’s needs after an evaluation and a Case Conference are complete prior to enrollment.

Morning session: 8:10-11:10
Afternoon session: 12:10-3:10

The Developmental Preschool curriculum supports the achievement of early learning milestones for school readiness, including:

• Pre-kindergarten readiness skills (counting, sorting, labeling, matching, etc.)

• Social and emotional skills to facilitate play with peers and establish classroom procedures and routines

• Communication skills to support social interaction (turn-taking, sharing, asking and answering questions), functional skills (listening, following directions, making requests, responding to requests), and articulation of sounds

• Gross and fine motor development to ensure students can navigate the school environment and develop pre-writing habits

• Self-help and independence

Please do not use the online registration process for this program. Due to the evaluative process needed for this program, you will need to contact Early Childhood Coordinator Cheryl Rose at crose@newpal.k12.in.us

Pre-Kindergarten Program

The Pre-Kindergarten program is available for children who are 4 years old on or before August 1. The Pre-Kindergarten curriculum is developmentally appropriate for 4-year-olds including:

• Kindergarten readiness skills (school readiness, early literacy skills, mathematical concepts, pre-writing skills, and science through play.)

• Social and emotional skills to facilitate peer relationships and self-regulation

• Communication skills to support social interaction and reasoning

• Gross and fine motor development

Full Day Pre-Kindergarten

We offer a full-day pre-kindergarten program that meets five days per week, Monday-Friday 8:10-3:10.

Transportation will only be offered for students who have been identified for special education services. Before and after-school care is available through the YMCA program. Space is limited for this program, so please contact the YMCA for availability.

Half Day Pre-Kindergarten

We offer a half-day pre-kindergarten program that meets four days per week, Monday-Thursday. A.M. session 8:10-11:10 or P.M. session 12:10-3:10.

A.M. and P.M. sessions will be assigned based on the following:

All enrollment materials are completed in full
In the order of all completed materials submitted

Please note: Limited spots are available for each session. Once a session is full, your child will be assigned to the remaining open session.

Transportation will only be offered for students who have been identified for special education services.

2025-2026 Enrollment will open on Feb 20, 2025

Enrollment is not complete until all fees have been paid, all documents have been received, and all forms have been completed.

Complete Pre-Enrollment form
Submit a $200 non-refundable registration fee - you may do so online.
1. IF you are an employee of NPCS, please contact Amber Rush or Cheryl Rose regarding your registration fee.
Create your Parent PowerSchool account (instructions will be emailed)
Complete all required PowerSchool forms
Submit your child’s birth certificate and immunization records

2024-2025 Pre-Kindergarten Costs

$200 non-refundable registration fee is due upon enrollment. Fees may be made online, or by cash/check made payable to NPCS and mailed or dropped off to Amber Rush at NPCS Administrative Building 4711 S. 500 W. New Palestine, IN 46163 **Employees of NPCS, please contact Amber Rush or Cheryl Rose regarding your registration fee.

The registration fee is non-refundable, secures the child’s spot on a class roster, secures staffing for the upcoming year, non-consumable classroom supplies and furnishings.

Full Day Tuition: $525/month due the first day of each month (equivalent to $145.83/wk for 36 weeks) 10 monthly payments August-May

Full Day Instructional fee: $100 *one-time cost due before the first day of school. Instructional fees cover consumable classroom supplies and curriculum costs.

Half Day Tuition: $250/month due the first day of each month (equivalent to $69.44/wk for 36 weeks) 10 monthly payments August-May

Half Day Instructional fee: $60 *one-time fee due before the first day of school. Instructional fees cover consumable classroom supplies and curriculum costs.

*NOTE: Our program is not currently eligible to accept CCDF or On My Way Pre-K funding.

*All tuition payments are due on the first of each month. A late fee of $25 will be charged on the 10th of each month. Accounts past 30 days overdue will be turned over to collections and the child will be withdrawn.

Before the first day of school

Submit your child’s birth certificate and immunization record
Create your parent PowerSchool portal account
Complete all required online enrollment forms
Submit instructional fee and first month’s payment

Enrollment is not complete until all fees have been paid, all documents have been received, and all forms have been completed.

If you have questions about our Early Childhood program, please contact Early Childhood Coordinator Cheryl Rose at crose@newpal.k12.in.us or Early Childhood Registrar Amber Rush at arush@newpal.k12.in.us.

Pre-Kindergarten Roundup

Pre-Kindergarten Roundup is scheduled for Thursday, March 6th from 5 p.m. - 7 p.m. at New Palestine Elementary. This event is open-house style and families do not need to attend the entire event. Feel free to visit at any time during that window to learn about Pre-K, ask questions, meet the teachers, view the classrooms, make payments, or submit documents. You may register for Pre-K at the event or anytime after. Registration for 2025-2026 will open February 20, 2025. Please follow the links above to enroll. *Please bring a copy of your child’s birth certificate and immunization record to Roundup for enrollment.

Pre-K Information

Full Day Pre-K

2025-2026 Full Day Pre-Kindergarten

Full Day classes meet Monday-Friday, 8:10-3:10. Scheduled breaks and E-Learning days may be found on the district calendar, located on our website. Limited spots are available for before/after care through the YMCA at NPE.

Curriculum: Our teachers use the Indiana Early Learning Foundations to guide developmentally appropriate instruction. Teachers use a thematic approach along with FrogStreet early learning curriculum as a classroom resource.

Progress will be reported to parents three times per year, including scheduled assessments prior to kindergarten. Parent teacher conferences will be held in October.

Behavior: Behavior is seen as a teaching opportunity. Staff will model appropriate behaviors and allow students to practice these new skills. Staff will use strategies from Trust Based Relational Intervention and Conscious Discipline to help students learn self-regulation, self-control, and social skills.

ParentSquare app: This app is used for all school communication. You will receive weekly newsletters from your child’s teacher, special announcements, and emergency notifications via this app. You may also communicate directly with your child’s teacher using the messaging option in the app. Contact information from your PowerSchool account will be used to connect you with the app.

Drop Off/Pick Up: You will receive a car tag for your vehicle corresponding to your child’s teacher. This card must be displayed in your vehicle’s dashboard at all times. Teachers will remove your child from the vehicle and place them in the vehicle. Parents will not need to leave the vehicle at any time. Drop off begins at 8:10 and ends promptly at 8:25 to allow buses access to the school. Pick up begins at 3:10 and ends promptly at 3:25 to allow buses access to the school. If you arrive after these times, please park in the parking lot and enter the building at the front office doors.

Breakfast/Lunch: Breakfast and Lunch are available for purchase. You may send money to school in a labeled envelope for your child or put money into their E-Funds account online. You may also choose to pack lunch for your child. PreK students eat their meals in their classroom.

Snacks: Snacks are scheduled twice daily for students. Your child’s teacher will share details on providing classroom snacks. In addition, your child should bring a water bottle labeled with their name to school each day.

Student supplies: A supply list for each class is available on our school website.

Daily Schedule Example: *each teacher may have a slightly different schedule

8:20- Arrival, greeting, song
8:30-Table work, pledge, stem bin/library
8:45- calendar, word of the week, music, snack, movement song
9:45- recess
10:20- small group activities (literacy, fine motor, math, social play)
11:00- lunch
12:00- Rest time
1:30- story time, snack, song
1:45- recess
2:10- small group activities
3:00 get ready to go home

Tuition: Monthly payments are due the 1st of each month. Payments may be made online, or by cash/check made payable to NPCS and mailed or dropped off to Amber Rush at NPCS Administrative Building 4711 S. 500 W. New Palestine, IN 46163. A late fee of $25 will be assigned on the 10th of each month for non-payment. Your child may be withdrawn from the program for non-payment of tuition. Our program is not currently eligible for CCDF or On My Way PreK funding.

Costs: Registration fee: $200

Full Day Tuition: $525/month due the first day of each month (equivalent to $145.83/wk for 36 weeks)

Full Day Instructional fee: $100 *one time cost assigned in July prior to the start of school

Prior to the first day of school

Submit your child’s birth certificate and immunization record
Create your parent PowerSchool portal account
Complete all required online enrollment forms
Submit instructional cost and first month’s payment

Enrollment is not complete until all costs have been paid, all documents have been received, and all forms have been completed.

Half Day Pre-K

2025-2026 Half Day Pre-Kindergarten

Half Day classes meet Monday-Thursday, 8:10-11:10 or 12:10-3:10. Scheduled breaks and E-Learning days may be found on the district calendar, located on our website.

Progress will be reported to parents three times per year, including scheduled assessments prior to kindergarten. Parent teacher conferences will be held in October.

Drop Off/Pick Up: You will receive a car tag for your vehicle corresponding to your child’s teacher. This card must be displayed in your vehicle’s dashboard at all times. Teachers will remove your child from the vehicle and place them in the vehicle. Parents will not need to leave the vehicle at any time. A.M. Drop off time is 8:10-8:25 Pick up time is 11:10-11:20. P.M. Drop off time is 12:10-12:20. Pick up time is 3:10-3:25. Doors close promptly at these times to allow buses access to the school. If you arrive after these times, please park in the parking lot and enter the building at the front office doors.

Snacks: A snack is scheduled daily for students. Your child’s teacher will share details on providing classroom snacks. In addition, your child should bring a water bottle labeled with their name to school each day.

Student supplies: A supply list for each class is available on our school website.

Daily Schedule Example: *each teacher may have a slightly different schedule

8:20/12:15 Drop off
8:30/12:30 Fine Motor activities
8:50/12:50 Hello Circle, greetings, music, pledges
9:05/1:05 Centers/Small group activities
9:45/1:45 Snack
10:00/2:00 Recess
10:30/2:30 Story time
10:40/2:40 Small group activities
10:55/2:55 Music/Movement
11:10/3:10 Dismissal

Costs: Registration fee: $200

Half Day Tuition: $250/month due the first day of each month (equivalent to $69.44/wk for 36 weeks)

Half Day Instructional cost: $60 *one time cost assigned in July prior to the start of school

Prior to the first day of school

Submit your child’s birth certificate and immunization record
Create your parent PowerSchool portal account
Complete all required online enrollment forms
Submit instructional cost and first month’s payment

Enrollment is not complete until all costs have been paid, all documents have been received, and all forms have been completed.

Supply List 2025-2026

Pre-K and Preschool Supplies – 2025-2026

Change of clothes: Shirt, pants or shorts, socks and underwear in a ziploc bag with your child’s name on it to

keep at school

Large backpack: We make beautiful artwork that we don’t want to bend

Water Bottle (non-spill): please send a labeled water bottle to and from school each day

Diapers/Pull ups/Wipes: **only if applicable to your child

ackpack gallery school clipart

Preschool Supply List

1 box quart zip top bags

1 box 8 count crayons (skinny size please,

not large or jumbo)

1 package small paper plates (white and

uncoated)

2 containers Play Doh

2 containers Clorox Wipes

2 rolls paper towels

1 box tissue

PreK Supply List

1 box quart or sandwich bags

1 box gallon bags

2 rolls of paper towels

2 containers of Clorox wipes

1 pack baby wipes

1 can Lysol sanitizer spray

1 large bottle of hand sanitizer

1 box of Kleenex tissues

1 pkg. Crayola Thin markers

1 pkg. Crayola Thick markers

4 pack of playdough

2 pkg. of small plates

6 glue sticks

2 24 packs of Crayola crayons

1 package of dry erase markers

Welcome Message From the Coordinator

Mrs. Cheryl Rose, Early Childhood Coordinator

Welcome to the Little Dragon’s Early Learning program. We are so glad you’re here! We are honored to care for your child as they begin their educational journey.

In This Section