CENTERVILLE – This year private providers for the free 4 year old preschool, which was started last year through the Centerville School District, include Lollipop Lane Preschool, Mrs. Kaster’s Pre-K and Kids World. Lollipop Lane and Mrs. Kaster’s, although separate entities, will be sharing St. Mary’s School building. Kids World will remain at its usual location on the Indian Hills campus.

Jillian Kaster has taught pre-kindergarten for the past two years at St. Mary’s and has an early childhood degree, a requirement for providers of the school district’s program. She has eight years experience and is DHS licensed.

Pre-registration for the 2008-2009 preschool begins at 8 a.m. Monday, May 19 by calling 641-895-4471 or Kaster will be available at the school from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and slots will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. There are two class sections available, Monday and Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Tuesday and Thursday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. There is a before and after school program available that parents can sign up for. It is from 7 to 8 a.m. and 3 to 6 p.m. Kaster’s aide, Michelle Brooke, manages this program at the same location and parents pay for the extra hours.

Kaster said a typical day at the preschool starts with breakfast, then it is large group time.

“The kids work on calendar time, show and tells and other learning projects,” she said. “Then we have small group time, which is teacher-directed letter practice, counting and working on various skills.”

Outdoor time follows and students work at using their large motor skills in the playground. Snacks are then served, a popular time for the kids.

During discovery time, students have “free choice” play.

“They can choose what and who they play with,” Kaster said.

Then lunch is served. Both breakfast and lunch are supplied by the school district.

After rest time and another snack, it’s large group time again.

“This is when we discuss topics having to do with whatever our monthly theme is. It might be ‘Growing Plants’ and we would talk about how to plant flowers. It’s our discussion time,” she said.

Kaster said all her 4 year olds have taken well to spending a full day at preschool.

She said she always knew she wanted to teach kindergarten and the kids fit right in with that.

“I enjoy their enthusiasm at this age. They are eager to learn and enjoy being here. This is an age group I feel I connect with easily,” she smiled.

“But we emphasize good character and self discipline when they are here.”