Troy 30-C Preschool Program

Important Information Regarding Preschool Registration
Thank you for your interest in the Troy 30C Preschool Program!
The first step in the enrollment process is to schedule a Preschool Screening for your child. Placement in the program is based on the screening results.
For the third year in a row, our Early Childhood Team has earned GOLD Status for the 2025-2026 school year! 

This prestigious recognition, awarded by the Illinois State Board of Education, highlights our preschool program as one of the highest-ranked in Illinois. ![]()
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The Gold Circle of Quality signifies excellence in:
Learning Environment
Instructional Quality
Administrative Standards
Group Size & Ratios
Staff Qualifications & Professional Development
A HUGE congratulations to our phenomenal team for their continued dedication and commitment to excellence in early childhood education! ![]()
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At Troy 30-C, Together we learn, grow, and achieve—and this incredible milestone is proof of what we can accomplish as a community!
Contact Us
Troy 30-C Preschool Office
815-577-7315
Director of Early Childhood Education
Jessica McCaslin
Administrative Assistant for Early Childhood Education
Michelle Cisneros
Administrative Assistant for Early Childhood Education
Yuri Mercado
Preschool Staff
- About the Troy 30-C Preschool Program
- Community Preschool Program
- Preschool for All Program
- Early Childhood Program
- Speech Services
- Registration/Screening Process
- Handbook & Supplies
- Preschool Curriculum Resource Links
- Preschool Assessment and Reports
About the Troy 30-C Preschool Program
We serve:
- 3-5 year old children
- Children must be 3 years old on or before September 1 of the school year
We offer:
- Half-day options (2.5 hrs)
- AM session, 8:35am-11:05am
- PM session, 12:25pm-3:05pm
- For children 3-5 years old
- Full-day option
- 8:35 a.m. - 3:05 p.m.
- Only for children who are 4 on or before September 1, who meet Preschool for All grant eligibility requirements
Children do not need to be toilet trained to participate in the preschool program.
Community Preschool Program
The Community Program is a tuition-based program. This program is offered either 3 or 5 days per week.
Community 3 days per week
- Children attend Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday
Community 5 days per week
- Children attend Monday-Friday
Additional Information
Optional bus transportation will be provided for an annual fee.
Children who do not qualify for the Early Childhood Program or the Preschool for All Program are eligible for the Community Program. Students may have a speech-only IEP.
Preschool for All Program
This program, provided by a grant from the Illinois State Board of Education, is for children who must have identified risk factors that may impact academic success. These risk factors are determined during the screening process. Spots in the grant-funded program are limited.
Program Details:
- 5 days per week, Monday-Friday
- Daily snack is provided
- Bus transportation is provided
- No fees or supplies needed
- Half-day sessions (3-5 years olds)
- Full-day sessions (4-5 year olds only)
Early Childhood Program
This program is for children who qualify for specialized instructional needs and have an Individualized Education Program (IEP) for multiple special education services.
Services may include:
- Occupational therapy
- Physical therapy
- Speech therapy
- Social work services
- Vision services
- Hearing services
Children are evaluated through a play assessment to determine the services that they need.
Students participate in either:
- A blended setting with opportunities to learn from peers or
- A more restricted, self-contained classroom
Program Details:
- Students attend five, half days a week
- Optional bus transportation will be provided for an annual fee.
Speech Services
Children who have been identified through the initial screening process as needing a deeper speech and language evaluation may qualify for speech therapy.
If the child was not 3 years old on or before September 1 of the school year, speech services will be delivered to meet the student's individual needs. Qualifying children, at least 3 years old on or before September 1 of the school year, may receive speech therapy while they attend preschool.
Registration/Screening Process
Important Information Regarding Preschool Registration
The first step in the enrollment process is to schedule a Preschool Screening for your child. Placement in the program is based on the screening results. Please click here to schedule a Preschool Screening.
Preschool Screening Information
Troy School District 30-C is now screening 3 and 4 year-olds for the 2024-2025 school year. Screening is the first step in entering the district's preschool program. Children must be 3 or 4 by September 1, 2024. Children who are 5 years old must register for kindergarten.
At the free screening, children will participate in a vision and hearing check, an English language test (if a language other than English is spoken in the home) and a developmental screening. Guardians will also complete a family questionnaire and receive a review of the child's development.
The screening allows us to see how a child is growing and developing. At the time of screening, staff can also answer any questions or concerns, as well as connect parents with community resources.
In order to enter the preschool program, your child will be given the DIAL-4 (Developmental Indicator for Assessment of Learning, 4th edition). This screening instrument is designed to determine whether a child is developing within the average range for his/her age or whether there is some indication of a possible delay in his/her development. The DIAL-4 examines four areas of development: social-emotional, motor, concepts and language.
In the Motor area, we are noting the child's large and small muscle control, as well as eye-hand coordination. We want to see how he/she is learning to use his/her body for jumping, hopping, building blocks, cutting, copying, and writing.
In the Concepts area, we are looking for the child's beginning understanding of such things as colors, counting, body parts, picture vocabulary and early opposite concepts.
In the Language area, we are looking for the child's ability in speaking and using language. We will be checking to see that he or she makes the appropriate speech sounds for his/her age. Language includes the child's understanding of words, as well as his/her ability to use words to communicate with others.
Remember that your child is not expected to display every skill or perform it perfectly. Tasks are arranged developmentally so that we can determine if your child is performing in the average range according to his/her age.
Upon completion of the screening, the Director reviews the parent questionnaire and your child's screening performance. This information is used to determine which preschool program your child qualifies for to attend in Troy 30-C. In order to be placed in a preschool classroom, your child must complete the screening process. Please keep in mind that this is only a screening and not an "in-depth" diagnostic assessment. If you have questions or concerns about your child's development, please feel free to discuss them with the screener, your classroom teacher or the Director.
We also have an online screening option. Families are invited to do an online screener and preschool paperwork. Please click here to schedule a Preschool Screening.
Being toilet trained is not a requirement for participation in the program. The school staff will work to support your child in training as you are working at home. You will be required to provide diapers and wipes and extra clothing, in case of accidents.
Screening events take place throughout the school year
Please bring the child's legal birth certificate to the screening.
The screening will take approximately up to 1.5 hours.
A summary will be shared that shows your child's growth and development determined by the screening tool.
Program options will be shared with you based on the program for which your child qualifies.
Next steps for enrolling and registering your child will be given to you.
Birth-Age 3 screenings are also available using the online screening format. Click here to watch a video for more information about why developmental screenings are important!
Preschool Program Placement Information
The Preschool Program has different placement options based on the results of your child's Preschool Screening.
Speech Only: These are the students who have been identified through an initial screening process as needing a more in-depth speech and language evaluation. This does not mean that your child will automatically receive speech services. Many times after a more in-depth evaluation, our speech pathologists find that the articulation and language skills are typical and age appropriate for your child's age.
Community Students: This is 3 or 5 days per week, half-day program (2.5 hours). Three and four year old students have the option of attending 3 days (Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday) or 5 days per week. Fees for the 2024-2025 school year include a monthly tuition cost of $175.00/month (3 day) or $275.00/month (5 day), plus a $100.00 annual registration fee. The annual snack fee for the 2024-2025 school year is $60.00 (3-day) or $100.00 (5-day). There are morning and afternoon sessions at Troy Cronin Elementary School. Students who qualify are accepted based on the results of the Preschool Screening. If the program is full, qualifying students will be placed in a waiting pool until a spot becomes available. Busing is a paid option for the 2024-2025 school year. Optional bus transportation annual fee $450.00 ($50.00 per month).
Preschool For All: This program is funded through a grant from the State of Illinois. Students who qualify attend five days per week for a half day (2.5 hours). There are no fees for this program. Students in this program are accepted based on qualifying at-risk factors, which are identified through the screening process and parent-gathered input. Busing is an option for the 2024-2025 school year.
Early Childhood: Children who are performing significantly below what is considered typical for a child their age will be referred for a more in-depth evaluation called a Play-Based Assessment. The results of the evaluation will determine whether the child meets the requirements for special education services. Students with disabilities who qualify will be placed in our Early Childhood program and will pay the yearly registration fee, as well as a snack fee (see above). Students attend five days per week for a half-day (2.5 hours). Students in this program receive bus transportation to and from school from an address located within district boundaries. Students will be placed in a blended classroom or a self-contained classroom based on their Individualized Education Program (IEP), which addresses their individual abilities and needs.
Full-day Preschool: There are three full-day (6.5 hours) classrooms housed at Troy Hofer Elementary. Students who qualify attend five days per week. These classrooms are grant-funded and there are no fees required. Students in this program must be 4 years old by September 1 and are accepted based on qualifying at-risk factors, which are identified through the screening process and parent-gathered input. Students receive a nutritious breakfast, lunch, and snack. Busing will be available for children in 2024-2025.
Handbook & Supplies
Optional Donation List
The following list reflects basic recommended (not required for Preschool for All students) supplies used throughout the school year. With the exception of your child's backpack, please do not label supplies. The school will supply you with a take-home folder. If you would like to purchase additional supplies that are not on this list, please see your child's teacher.
Every child will need a backpack without wheels and large enough to accommodate a 9" x 12" folder. If you need assistance in providing a backpack, please notify the teacher.
Please also provide one complete change of clothes - underwear, pants, shirt, and socks - appropriate for winter and spring. Please send to school in a labeled zip lock bag with your child's name.
Art Supply Donations (optional): You do not need to supply all of these materials. If you would like, you may choose a few to send in from the examples below.
Cupcake liners, craft sticks, buttons, colored craft packing peanuts, fabric scraps, foam sheets, Styrofoam balls or blocks, wooden clothespins, feathers, glitter, pipe cleaners, scotch tape, packing tape, masking tape, hole punches, rocks or glass gems.
Troy CCSD 30-C Preschool Program Handbook
Preschool Curriculum Resource Links
Click on the links below to learn about Troy 30-C Preschool Curriculum Resources
- The Creative Curriculum
- The Creative Curriculum Objectives for Development & Learning
- Second Step Curriculum
- Illinois Early Learning and Development Standards
The Creative Curriculum
The philosophy of The Creative Curriculum® is that young children learn best by doing. The Creative Curriculum® is built on theories of development in young children, that all children learn through active exploration of their environment and therefore the environment plays a critical role in learning. The goal of the Creative Curriculum is to help children become independent, self-confident, inquisitive and enthusiastic learners by actively exploring their environment.
The curriculum identifies goals in all areas of development: Social/Emotional, Cognitive, Physical and Language. The planned activities for the children, the organization of the environment, the selection of toys and materials, planning the daily schedule and interacting with the children, are all designed to accomplish the goals and objectives of the curriculum and give your child a successful year in school.
The Creative Curriculum® shows teachers how to integrate learning in literacy, math, science, social studies, the arts, and technology throughout the day. It also gives the teacher a wide range of teaching strategies-- from child-initiated learning to teacher-directed approaches-- to best respond to children's learning styles, strengths, and interests.
The staff in the EC Program at OSB build the curriculum for their children around the environment using eleven different interest areas or centers:
- House Corner
- Blocks
- Table Toys
- Art
- Sand and Water
- Library
- Music & Movement
- Cooking
- Computers
- Outdoors
- Discovery
The richer the environments, the more concrete opportunities there are for children to learn by interacting with materials and people. The teacher’s role is to create an environment that invites children to observe, to be active, to make choices, and to experiment.
The Creative Curriculum Objectives for Development & Learning
Second Step Curriculum
Program Introductory Letter
Dear family,
The preschool years are very important. We want your child to be as ready as possible for kindergarten. This is not just about knowing letters and numbers. It’s also about knowing how to learn and get along with others. We will be using the Second Step early learning program in your child’s classroom to teach these important skills.
The Second Step program teaches skills in the following four areas:
- Skills for Learning: Children gain skills to help them be better learners, including how to focus their attention, listen carefully, and ask for help.
- Empathy: Children learn to identify and understand their own and others’ feelings. Children also learn how to show care for others.
- Emotion Management: Children learn how to calm down when they have strong feelings, such as worry or anger.
- Friendship Skills and Problem Solving: Children learn how to make and keep friends and to solve problems with others in a positive way.
Your child will be learning a lot this year—and he or she will need your help! Throughout the year, your child will be bringing home Home Links that go with each of the Second Step Weekly Themes. Home Links are simple, fun activities for you and your child to do together. They are a great way for you to understand what your child is learning and for your child to show you what he or she knows.
If you have any questions about the Second Step program, please contact me for more information. Thank you for supporting your child in learning the skills that will help get him or her ready for school and life.
Sincerely,
P.S. Make sure to join www.secondstep.org with the activation key SSPE FAMI LY68 to get information about what your child is learning in the Second Step early learning program!
© 2011 Committee for Children Second Step: Social-Emotional Skills for Early Learning
Illinois Early Learning and Development Standards
Preschool Assessment and Reports
Each trimester a Development and Learning Report will be sent home. There are 3 trimesters per school year. Students are assessed using the Teaching Strategies GOLD Assessment Tool based on the Illinois Early Learning and Development Standards.
What is Teaching Strategies GOLD?
- Authentic, ongoing and observation-based assessment system for Preschool aged children.
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Teaching Strategies GOLD supports development and learning that include predictors of school success and school readiness standards. The objectives are aligned with the Common Core State Standards and Illinois Early Learning Standards.
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A digital developmental profile of each child to answer the questions, “What does this child know? What is he or she able to do?”
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Provides ongoing information to plan meaningful learning experiences for all students and meets individual needs, both at home and at school.
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Creates a Development and Learning Report for parents/guardians that will be sent home each trimester (3 times a year).
The “Development and Learning Report” was designed for sharing information with each student’s family. It provides narratives that explain the child’s knowledge, skills, and behaviors in relation to each objective or dimension and next steps in the student’s development.
Cited from Teaching Strategies GOLD Touring Guide 2013




