Early Childhood

RPS 205 offers both full-day and half-day program options at a variety of locations throughout the city, including Beyer, Fairview, Nashold, and Summerdale Early Childhood Centers, Roosevelt and Circles of Learning Daycare.

Children are placed at the closest available location to their home with the program they are eligible for. 

All families may apply for full-day preschool. Students who are 4 years old on September 1, have an annual household income below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level, and who are experiencing multiple risk factors will be prioritized for full-day preschool. 

Most early childhood students are self-transported. Limited busing is provided based on enrollment into special programs and risk factors identified at the school or during the screening process. Please contact your Family Support Specialist to help you problem solve and find other solutions.

RPS 205 Early Childhood is grant funded through the Illinois State Board of Education. The grant funding requirements include verifying income for all participants.

Our comprehensive screening process allows our teams to learn about your child before they start school. We use a normed developmental screening tool that samples performance in a child's speech, language, cognition, perception, and fine and gross motor. Children will also participate in vision and hearing screening completed by a certified technician. Guardians will learn about their child along with our staff.

We have a free preschool program. There are no fees to participate in the RPS Early Childhood Program.