Preschool

The Mercer County Preschool is located at Mercer Elementary School. The preschool program includes multi-sensory age appropriate experiences that foster development in the areas of: cognition, communication, social skills, large and small motor skills, emotional awareness, independence in self-help, and creativity. Additional services of specially designed instruction, speech and language therapy, occupational therapy and physical therapy may be provided based on the individual needs of students that qualify.

Preschool Information

Who Can Qualify for Preschool?

Mercer County Schools provide preschool services for children ages 3 and 4 who qualify in ONE of the following ways:

A developmental delay in the main areas of development: social-emotional skills, adaptive skills, gross and fine motor skills, receptive and expressive communication skills, speech and/or cognitive skills
Diagnosed conditions (Examples: Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome, etc.) that have an adverse impact on school functioning
Income Eligibility (160% of the poverty guidelines) for children that are four years old by August 1st of the current school year
Enrolled students must be residents of Mercer County district boundaries

What are the Enrollment Requirements?

Enrollment Requirements for Preschool

Online Registration for School: This can be completed by going to the district website at www.mercer.kyschools.us and selecting registration. There you will find step by step instructions. You can also call the school office for assistance at 859-733-7040.
Verification of Birth: All children entering Mercer County Schools are required to have a copy of their birth certificate as evidence of the correct birth date. This is in accordance with Kentucky State Statute. We cannot accept a child’s hospital certificate but must have the official one issued by the state in which the child was born. Forms to order a copy of the official certificate are available from the school nurse or Mercer County Health Department.
Immunization Requirements: Children are required by state law to have a current Kentucky Immunization Certificate on file with the school before they are permitted to start school. Parents are responsible for maintaining their child’s current immunization certificate by keeping shots up to date. Parents should contact the Mercer County Health Department or their family physician and have these done well before the start of school.
Medical Examination/School Physical: A physical will be required for every child entering school for the first time. The results of the physical will be presented to school officials before the start of the school year.
Kentucky Eye Examination Form for School Entry: Due no later than January 1st of the first year that the child is enrolled (KRS 156.160.8g) requires proof of a vision examination by an ophthalmologist or optometrist.
An official copy of your child’s social security card/number is suggested but not required.

How is Eligibility Determined?

Free Developmental Screening

Signing up for a preschool screening is the first step to see if your child may be eligible for preschool. Screenings are conducted multiple times throughout the school year. You can sign up at this link:

https://forms.gle/ZQTRfwoe7fW1W9xt7

At the screening we will engage children in a variety of activities that look at their development in:

Cognitive or academic skills
Fine Motor skills or the small muscles of the hands
Gross Motor skills or the large muscles of the body
Language or your child’s vocabulary
Articulation or how your child says words
Hearing Screening
Vision Screening

You will complete information regarding your child’s:

Social skills or how they interact with other children and adults
Adaptive skills or their independence and self-help skills

What is the Preschool Curriculum?

Developmentally Appropriate Practices

Our preschool curriculum is designed to target individualized learning through developmentally appropriate practices in a variety of settings. Teachers use center play, small group time, large group time, transitions, and meal times as opportunities to work on social, physical, emotional, cognitive development, communication skills, and expand creative expression. Multiple opportunities are provided throughout the day for a child to develop a concept of self, become independent, manage their feelings, and be an actively successful part of the preschool group. Teachers serve as positive role models for social, independent, and academic skills.

Preschool classroom instruction is guided by the use of strategies appropriate to the child’s age and developmental status. Teachers meet the children “where they are” in order to develop goals and experiences that are suited to the unique individual, but at the same time challenge those students who are ready for the next step. The Kentucky Early Childhood Standards are the teachers’ guidelines for instruction and each child’s progress is monitored through the use of informal and formal assessment. Students learn through play where they develop social and cognitive skills, mature emotionally, and gain the self-confidence required to engage in new experiences and environments.

Our preschool program includes two half day sessions. The morning session runs from 7:50am to 10:50am. The afternoon session runs from 11:40am to 2:40pm. Preschool includes bus transportation that is provided both to and from school for both sessions. Parents can also transport their child to and from school. We offer tuition spots for students that do not qualify for free preschool services as space is available. The Tiny Titans Learning Academy daycare is on site and provides childcare services to preschool age children for an additional fee. The daycare does accept child care assistance.