Preschool

We value and prioritize providing the best learning environment for your child. It's important that your child's growth and development during early childhood is started right way. Our teachers have a four-year degree, minimum in early childhood. We provide curriculum that is age appropriate and tracks the children's progress.

To ensure every child is receiving what they need, we have individualized instruction respecting different learning styles and abilities. We offer support services like speech to provide each child with help where it is needed.

We encourage parent involvement and offer frequent communication through newsletters and conferences. Our open atmosphere invites parents to visit and observe their child's journey. We also have licensed parent educators for parents with a minimum four-year degree. 

Building Bright Futures—One Child at a Time
Our early learning programs are designed to support your child’s growth in every way—academically, socially, and emotionally—within a warm and encouraging environment.

We offer preschool for 3-5-year-olds. Families who meet eligibility guidelines may qualify for free programming or scholarships.

We are very excited to provide offerings that meet the needs of families and students.

• Before and/or after program childcare (Kids Club) at both Hillside and Rice Elementary
• More offerings and more days per week options
• Classes follow the SRR K–12 school calendar

Preschool at Sauk Rapids-Rice Public Schools Features

• Nine months of two, three or five half-days of preschool.
• An integrated classroom experience with ECSE (Early Childhood Special Education).
• Both social and academic learning experiences two years before kindergarten.
• Sliding fee scales, based on family income with nine monthly payments.

2026-2027 EC Information Packet

Preschool Class Tuition

Preschool Kids Club

• All rates are per month for nine (9) months
• Assumes K–12 school year calendar - 170 days
• Care options are available on non-school days or non-school readiness days for $32.00 per day.

Downloadable 2026-2027 Preschool Pricing.pdf

Early Learning Scholarship – Pathway II Application  

Early learning scholarships from The Minnesota Deparyment of Children ,Youth and Families support access to quality early education and care programs, reducing the opportunity gap by bridging funding gaps and decreasing barriers.

Please send all applications to Kim Martin at Hillside by September 4, 2026

Application PDF Lin here

Instructions on completing the application: 

1. Print and complete application. 
2. Page 3:
   1. Pathway II program name: Sauk Rapids-Rice Early Childhood
   2. Pathway II contant name: Kim
   3. Pathway II contact email: kim.martin@isd47.org
   4. Address: 30 4th Ave South, Sauk Rapids, MN 56379
   5. Telephone: 320-255-8910
3. Return all completed applications to Kim Martin at Hillside by September 4, 2026

Please email srrecoffice@isd47.org if you would like a scholarship application emailed to you.

The information below and more can be found on the attached pdf link above. 

What is an Early Learning Scholarship?

An Early Learning Scholarship – Pathway II can help your child attend high-quality childcare and early education to ensure your child enters kindergarten ready to succeed. A program is eligible to receive Pathway II funds if they are Parent Aware Four-Star Rated. Parent Aware is a rating tool to help parents select high-quality early childhood programs. For more information, visit the Parent Aware website 
(ParentAware.org).  

Note: Children may only receive one scholarship between July 1 and June 30 each year and cannot receive a Pathway I and Pathway II scholarship at the same time.

Where can my child use a scholarship?

Early Learning Scholarships – Pathway II are awarded to families by an eligible Parent Aware Four-Star Rated program. Pathway II early childhood programs receive scholarship funds from the Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF). These programs then use their funds to award scholarships to families whose children attend the Pathway II program. The scholarships must be used at the awarding Pathway II program. The funding stays with the program to support other children if your child leaves.

What are the eligibility requirements? 

• Age: Children birth through age 4 are eligible, and 5-year-olds are eligible if they turned 5 after September 1 of the current school year. (Children age out of eligibility if they are age 5 on September 1 or are enrolled in and attending kindergarten, whichever is earlier.)
• Address: The child resides in Minnesota (they have a Minnesota address.)
• Income: The family has a household income less than or equal to 85 percent State Median Income (SMI) or is receiving assistance from an approved state or federally funded program.

Milestones is the statewide administrator of Pathway II child care programs. Milestones provides oversight and technical assistance to child care programs with Pathway II funding.

If your child is three years of age or older, it is time to schedule their early childhood screening.

Preschool Screening Information page will help you decide.