3-5 Pre-Kindergarten Program

Hamilton County Preschool Center’s 3-5 pre-kindergarten program is for children ages 3-5 and is funded through the Illinois State Board of Education’s Preschool For All grant. This program includes two full-day classrooms from 8:00-3:00, and two half-day classrooms, with the morning session from 8:00-10:30 and the p.m. session 12:00-2:30 and follows the Hamilton County Community Unit School District #10 school calendar.  These children must qualify for the program by going through a screening process that is completed by the school district preschool staff. Those children who are identified as being ‘at-risk’ through this objective screening process qualify for this program. The preschool program is free, with the exception of breakfast and lunch. The children work on areas of speech and language, cognitive, gross and fine motor, and social and self-help skills. Morning and afternoon bus transportation is provided for children who are enrolled in the Preschool For All program. 

Early Childhood Program

Early Childhood program is a special education classroom(s) for children three to six years of age.   The children must qualify for this program by going through the same screening process, completed by the school district, as the Pre-Kindergarten program, or through the Transition process in conjunction with Wabash Ohio Valley Special Education District's Early Intervention program.  The EC classroom is a full day program that operates Monday through Friday during the regular school year.  This program is free, except for breakfasts and lunches.  The children work on areas of speech and language, cognitive, gross and fine motor, and social and self-help skills along will specific goals developed for that child and as indicated in the Individualized Education Plan.

Speech and Language Therapy

Hamilton County Community Unit School District #10 provides speech and language services to those children three to six year of age that reside in the Hamilton County School District. These children may or may not attend the Preschool Center.  If a parent suspects that their child may be in need of speech and/or language therapy, they should call the Center to set up meeting to speak with our speech language pathologist of their concerns.

Child Care Program

This program is licensed by the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS). (See Summary of Licensing Standards for Day Care Centers-DCFS #980. Children from eighteen months to twelve years of age may be enrolled.  The program is open from 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, year round.  The program is supported by parent fees, but families who are working or going to school may qualify for reduced fees through the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS), where fees are based on family size and income eligibility. A variety of daily activities are provided for the children.

            The Child Care program is not a drop-off facility.  We offer a limited amount of slots for   each room. To enroll your child, you are required to sign up for a minimum of two days per week.  Your child must attend the days for which he/she is registered. 

Fees and Payments

            The parent/guardian will be responsible for paying for slots you have signed up for whether your child attends or not.  There will be no fee charged for the dates that the Child Care is closed. Parents will also have two days a month that may be used for sick days or vacation time that no payment will be expected.

Fees must be paid in advance.  Payment will be required on the first day your child attends, and payments should be made in full for the week. The Child Care Center must be notified by 8:00 a.m. of the date that is going to be used or you will be charged for that day.  Hamilton County Preschool Center retains the right to refuse services at any time for non-payment of fees. If fees remain unpaid, parents/guardians will be subject to legal action. Checks should be made to 'Hamilton County Unit District #10'. A receipt will be written for every payment made.

Fees for children attending the Hamilton County Child Care Program are as follows:

Ages 2-12
8 Hours
19.00
4 Hours
10.00
Hourly
5.00
Ages 18-24 Months
8 Hours
24.00

 

Breakfast, lunch and snack is included in the Child Care price