Preschool

Tolleson Elementary School District offers an Early Childhood Education preschool program for both typical and special education-eligible children between the ages of three and five years old.

Who Can Participate

Tolleson ESD provides early childhood educational opportunities for young children, ages three to five years old, who meet one of the following eligibility criteria:

How to Apply

Please complete the online preschool interest form to be placed on the interest list. We will contact you via email or phone when an opening is available.

Preschool Interest Form

Special Education Services

Children recognized through the screening, evaluation, and identification as needing special services may participate in the preschool program starting upon their third birthday until kindergarten (five years old by September 1). 

If we determine a child is eligible for special education services, a multi-disciplinary team, including parents/guardians, will develop an individual education plan (IEP) for the child. Families whose children qualify for special education services are not required to meet income requirements; children may attend preschool free of charge.

We assess all preschool children participating in a Tolleson ESD preschool program twice each year using the state-mandated assessment, Teaching Strategies GOLD.

Preschool Special Education Evaluations

If you suspect your child is exhibiting delays in any area of their development, please call Berenice Soto at 623-533-3923 to schedule a free developmental screening for your child.

Screening Dates

Program Structure

Our preschool classes are developmentally appropriate, play-based programs. We offer either a morning or afternoon session, four days a week. Children attend for three hours per session. We emphasize parental involvement as a critical component of effective early childhood education and conduct parent training upon request and need.

Early Childhood Curriculum

The district utilizes Frog Street Early Childhood Curriculum implemented along with Arizona Early Childhood Education Standards and early childhood best practices. 

We emphasize five developmental areas in all of our preschool programs:

  • Adaptive (self-help)
  • Cognitive (academics)
  • Social/emotional
  • Physical (fine and gross motor)
  • Communication (language) development