The Madison-Champaign ESC Preschool program is hosting a Preschool Open House 5-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 29, at 2200 S. U.S. Route 68. All are welcome to view the Preschool Wing, which consists of four classrooms, primarily for students from Urbana City Schools, and playground space. These classrooms, as well as all other district classrooms served by the ESC, have obtained a 5-STAR rating based on the Step Up To Quality guidelines put in place by Ohio Department of Education. This open house is occurring ahead of the Oct. 24 ESC Open House, when the entire building will be open to the public.

The preschool programming is contained within Entrance #1 to the building and people should park within the first parking lot on the premises. The preschool program was licensed to operate by Ohio Department of Department of Education, receiving a full compliance status, following the Aug. 23 inspection. First day of programming at the ESC Building was on Aug. 24.

Though the preschool’s presence in the building is reduced from what it had been in the past, there is room for expansion. The Champaign County YMCA is completing a Department of Jobs and Family Services application to open a preschool-age daycare in an available classroom in the wing. Parents needing full-time programming would then have the option of having their child attend the daycare for half of the day and an ESC Preschool classroom for the other half of the day.

There is another potential classroom space which, once needed, will be opened as another preschool classroom. With this in mind, a Developmental Screening (the first step in the enrollment process) is slated on Sept. 30. Parents can call 937-653-5214 for details.

The Madison-Champaign ESC is focused in partnership with parents to provide programming geared toward kindergarten readiness. Cathy Pappas, Preschool Supervisor for the Madison-Champaign ESC, will greet those interested in touring the Preschool Wing during the Sept. 29 open house.