The lottery process includes specific preferences to prioritize certain groups:

General Enrollment Preferences

1. Children of full-time AVP employees and board members.

2. Current AVP preschool students (reapplication required).

3. Siblings of returning AVP students, including step-siblings or adopted siblings.

4. Younger siblings of students selected in the lottery.

5. Children of part-time staff (working 20-28 hours per week).

6. Families who applied during the previous year’s Open Enrollment (eligible for two lottery entries).

7. Residents of Poncha Springs, CO (a percentage of spots are reserved).

8. Current Chaffee County residents.

Morning Care & Aftercare Preferences

1. Children of full-time AVP employees and board members.

2. Children of part-time staff (volunteer substitute hours do not count).

3. Current Morning Care and Aftercare students (reapplication required).

4. Younger siblings of students currently enrolled or selected in the lottery.

At Ark Valley Preschool, we believe in building strong relationships with families before enrollment.

How It Works:

1. Initial Inquiry:

   • Families receive an information packet detailing our mission, curriculum, policies, and expectations.

2. Schedule a Meet-and-Greet:

   • We’ll meet with families in person or virtually to:

     • Share our school’s values, vision, and daily routines.

     • Learn about the child’s unique needs and family expectations.

     • Answer questions and showcase our environment (when possible).

3. Discussing Fit:

   • We’ll discuss:

     • Behavioral expectations.

     • Communication practices.

     • Opportunities for community involvement.

4. Follow-Up:

   • We’ll guide families through the next steps:

     • Complete enrollment forms.

     • Submit required documents (e.g., vaccination records).

     • Pay the enrollment fee, if applicable.

5. Orientation:

   • Families attend a session to review routines, policies, and expectations.

   • Meet the child’s teacher to ensure a smooth transition.

Why We Do This

Our process helps families feel confident and connected by:

• Building Trust: Personal meetings create transparency.

• Aligning Expectations: Ensures we’re on the same page.

• Fostering Community: Strengthens our school-family relationship.

• Proactive Communication: Reduces misunderstandings.

If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact us. We’re here to help!

As part of our enrollment process, families with children who turn four before October 1, 2025 must apply for Colorado's Universal Preschool (UPK) funding. This funding provides financial support for preschool education and helps ensure equal access to quality early childhood programs.

Eligibility

• Children must turn four years old on or before October 1, 2025.

Application

• Families must apply for UPK funding through the state’s application website.

Enrollment

• Contact Ark Valley Preschool to confirm space availability. If we have space, we can assist you with the enrollment process.

Hours

• Most children are eligible for 10-15 hours of preschool per week. Additional hours may be available for children who qualify.

Separate lotteries will be conducted for Morning Care and Aftercare.

Application Window:
April 21, 2025 (starting at 9:00 AM) to May 5, 2025 (ending at 3:00 PM MST)

• Submit your application during this timeframe to be included in the lotteries for Morning Care and Aftercare spots.

Applications submitted after May 5, 2025, at 3:00 PM MST will be added to the waitlist in the order received.