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Preschool and Early Learning

PRESCHOOL AND EARLY LEARNING

Nurturing Young Minds for a Bright Future

Educational Service Center
14015 62nd Avenue NW
Gig Harbor, WA 98332
P: (253) 530-1000

LISA REAUGH 
Executive Director, Student Services

 

At PSD Early Learning, our mission is to provide high-quality early childhood education that fosters the development of our youngest learners. We offer a variety of programs designed to meet the diverse needs of families, ensuring that every child has a strong foundation for future academic success. 

We recognize the importance of early learning in the success of our students. Research shows that students who meet learning standards by 3rd grade are more likely to succeed as they continue in school and graduate prepared for college, career, and beyond. 

 

 

PSD offers a range of early childhood programs to meet the needs of our youngest learners, including part-day and full-day options from Monday to Thursday, and full-day programs Monday to Friday. Each program has specific enrollment requirements. 

To make enrollment easier for all families, parents can submit an “interest survey” to connect with the program that best fits their child’s needs. All programs are tuition-free for in-district residents.

Screening for the school year began in the spring. All submissions will be reviewed, and families will be contacted based on program space and eligibility.

Early Learning Programs

Early Childhood Education & Assistance Program (ECEAP)

The Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP) is a free, comprehensive preschool program for eligible children and families. To apply, families must submit an application and eligibility documents, though submission does not guarantee acceptance.

ECEAP Provides:

  • Full-day preschool (9:00-3:30 M-TH)
  • Activities to build self-esteem
  • Developmental screenings
  • Small class sizes
  • Transportation
  • Health and nutrition education
  • Social/emotional support
  • Hot lunch and nutritious snacks
  • Supportive staff and family engagement

Eligibility:

  • Children aged 3-5 (3 years by Aug 31st, not yet 5 by Aug 31st)
  • Children in foster/kinship care
  • TANF and SSI recipients
  • Homeless families
  • Children with disabilities or IEPs not qualifying for Developmental Preschool
  • Families with limited incomes (based on federal poverty guidelines)

How to Apply:

  • Fill out a Early Learning Interest survey.  Click here  2025 – 2026 Survey 
  • Submit the application with:
    • Child’s birth certificate
    • Proof of income (W-2, tax return, pay stubs, or TANF grant letter)
    • Proof of guardianship (birth certificate, foster care record, adoption paperwork, or written agreement)

Applications take 1-2 weeks to process after submitting all documents. For questions, contact the site directly.

Including the following is helpful:

  • Child’s immunization record
  • Current IEP/IFSP (if applicable)
  • Recent well-child and dental exams

Transitional Kindergarten

Our Transitional Kindergarten program is designed for children who lack access to high-quality early learning experiences before kindergarten. Eligibility is determined through an application and screening process.

Program Details:

  • Eligibility: Children not enrolled in early learning programs with financial, academic, or social-emotional needs.
  • Focus: Essential academics, social-emotional skills, and learning habits.
  • Schedule: Full day, Monday-Friday, starting October 1, 2024.
  • Locations: Discovery Elementary, Evergreen Elementary, Harbor Heights Elementary, Minter Creek Elementary, and Voyager Elementary.

Outdoor Transitional Kindergarten 

Available at Evergreen and Voyager, includes outdoor learning inspired by Norwegian education. 

Curriculum in Outdoor Transitional Kindergarten includes at least one hour of outdoor exploration and learning each school day, if weather permits. Students spend time outside learning new concepts and skills that incorporate with the curriculum from the rest of their school day. 

The idea for the program came from Gig Harbor's sister city Bodø, Norway. Superintendent Krestin Bahr and School Board of Directors President Natalie Wimberly, visited Norway towards the end of the 2021-2022 school year, and were inspired by the amount of outdoor learning Norwegian students experience. 

Prerequisites:

  • Must turn five between September 1 and August 31 of the current school year.
  • Not enrolled in another preschool program.
  • Reside within the Peninsula School District boundaries.

Qualifying Criteria:

  • Needs in academics, social/emotional development, motor skills, language development.
  • Lack of access to licensed preschool due to availability or financial reasons.
  • Qualify for free/reduced meals.
  • English Learner.

How to Apply:

Part-Day Preschool

The Peninsula School District offers Part Day Preschool Programs at Artondale, Harbor Heights, Purdy, and Vaughn Elementary Schools. These programs are led by Washington State Certificated Early Childhood Special Education Teachers, assisted by paraprofessionals. Children who qualify for special education are placed through an evaluation process, receive an Individualized Education Program (IEP), and may get additional support from specialists like speech and language pathologists or occupational therapists.

Program Details:

  • Cost: Free for special education eligible children.
  • Schedule: Monday through Thursday, with half-day sessions in the morning or afternoon.
  • Environment: Inclusive classrooms where children with special needs learn alongside peers.
  • Activities: Multi-sensory play tailored to age and developmental levels, guided by teachers to develop cognitive, language, social/emotional, self-care, and motor skills in a language-based program.

How to Apply:

 

Birth to Three Services

Research has shown that early intervention services during the first years can make a big difference in a child’s life. The Peninsula School District contracts with Pierce County to provide developmental screenings for infants and toddlers under the age of 3 and to provide services to children birth to age 3 who have disabilities and/or developmental delays.

Families who refer their infant or toddler to the Birth to Three program are assigned an FRC who will assist them in accessing screening, resources, supports and early intervention services their child may need.

More Information:

For more information or to make a referral, call Pierce County Early Intervention at (253) 798-3790 or the Peninsula School District Early Childhood Resources phone line at (253) 530-1090. 

Preschool Child Find

Preschool Child Find is a free developmental screening for children 3 to 5 years of age. If family members, primary care providers or teachers have concern for a child’s development, they may refer a family to PSD’s Child Find process. Upon referral children attend an appointment at one of our monthly Child Find screening clinics where vision, hearing, motor, communication, cognitive, social/emotional and adaptive are screened. 

For additional information or to refer your child for Child Find screening please call (253) 530-1090.