Connections Preschool

• Early childhood is a remarkable time of psychological, physical, social and academic development.
• Learning is a social process where children grow through play, exploration and inquiry.
• Families are a child's first and most influential teachers.
• Each child has unique strengths.
• Children thrive in a safe environment where their needs are met through mutual respect, nurturing and consistency.
• Strong family, school and community partnerships help ensure a child's success in school.
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4s Monday through Friday

4s Monday through Thursday Oak Ridge Nature Based Class

4s Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday

3s Monday/Wednesday

3s Tuesday/Thursday

3s Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday

3s Preschool Discovery

All Connections Preschool teachers are employees of District 196 and are licensed by the Minnesota Department of Education in Early Childhood Education. Teachers facilitate learning by individualizing activities and carefully implementing curriculum while engaging children in fun and meaningful activities.

Meet Our Teachers

• English Directions
• Somali Directions
• Spanish Directions

Three-Year-Old Preschool Transportation Information 2023-2024

• Parents/Guardians must provide transportation to and from all 3-year-old preschool programs held at the Dakota Valley Learning Center (4679 144th Street West, Apple Valley, 55124).

Four-Year-Old Preschool Transportation Information 2023-2024

• Transportation Frequently Asked Questions: English | Somali | Spanish
• Parents/Guardians are welcome to transport their child to any of the preschool sites in place of busing.
• The residence or childcare address must be in the attendance area of the preschool site to be eligible for bus transportation. To determine eligibility to receive bus transportation to the preschool site from either your residence or childcare, please visit: https://app.guidek12.com/rosemountmn/school_search/current/
• Families that are not eligible for busing must provide transportation to and from preschool.
• Bus transportation changes: 
  • All bus changes or updates must be done through the Connections Preschool main office. Please contact Jan Prigge at 952-388-1977 to discuss any changes needed and she will contact the Transportation department. Transportation changes can take 1-2 weeks to take effect.

Tuition assistance and scholarships are available for families with identified needs.

Questions? Please call the Connections Preschool main office at 952-388-1977 or email connectionspreschool@district196.org.

ECFE is a program for parents/guardians and their children during the years from birth through prekindergarten. It is based on the idea that parents/guardians provide their child’s first and most significant learning environment and are the child’s first and most important teachers. ECFE offers a variety of classes, all designed to help strengthen families through interactive play and relevant, research-based parent education. In District 196, we also offer classes for parents with children up to third grade in order to support continued parent engagement in children’s learning and development.

Learn more and register

District 196 Information

Early Childhood Screening - Silver Bell Learning Center, 2120 Silver Bell Rd., Eagan, MN. Call 651-423-7899. Children between the ages of 3.5 and 4 years old, who live in District 196, need to participate in an early childhood screening. 

Early Childhood Special Education - For information on evaluations and early intervention. Call 952-388-1900.

Kindergarten and Magnet Schools - General information for incoming kindergarten families. Or go directly to kindergarten enrollment to start the pre-enrollment process.

New Baby - Do you have a new baby? Are you new to town? If so, please contact Student Information Services at 651-423-7640 with your family’s updated information so you receive important program information and updates.

Playschool Program at District High Schools - The child development classes at our District 196 high schools run a playschool program for children ages 3-5 as part of their class curriculum. Contact these teachers for more information: Apple Valley High School - nichole.christensen@district196.org | Eagan High School - rachael.fair@district196.org | Eastview High School - mia.battistone@district196.org | Rosemount High School - erin.stencil@district196.org

School Attendance Locator

The ECFS (Early Childhood Family Services) Advisory Council supports Early Childhood programming within District 196. This programming includes Early Childhood Family Education, Connections Preschool and Family School. The Advisory Council is a highly valued resource for District 196 ECFS and assists in the development, planning and monitoring of Early Childhood Family Education programs.

New members are always welcome!

To learn more and submit your application, visit their web page.

Activity Ideas

• Macaroni Kid Community Resources
• ECFE Sings Lyrics

Favorite Links

• Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University
• Center on the Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning at Vanderbilt University
• Common Sense Media
• Conscious Discipline
• The Ellyn Satter Institute - Models for Feeding Dynamics and Eating Competence
• Head Start (CAP of Scott, Carver & Dakota Counties)
• Healthy Children (American Academy of Pediatrics)
• Help Me Grow Minnesota
• Kids in the House
• Mary Sheedy Kurcinka, Ed.D.
• Mom Enough
• Pacer Center - Champions for Children with Disabilities
• ParentAware - Tools and information to find quality childcare and early education
• Parenting Counts
• PBS Parent Resources
• Positive Discipline
• Simplicity Parenting
• Zero to Three