Mini Dragons Preschool

The Niles City School District (NCSD) is excited to offer families living within the district the option to send their children to our Mini-Dragons preschool program as a way to provide young children with a strong foundation for their educational journey. Preschool plays a crucial role in early childhood development by fostering essential skills such as social interaction, cognitive development, and basic literacy. Introducing children to a structured learning environment at an early age prepares them for a smooth transition into Kindergarten. In addition, the Mini-Dragons preschool program provides parents with a safe and nurturing environment to send their children while they work or attend to other responsibilities, making it a valuable service for the community. It is one more way the NCSD shows its commitment to holistic child development and a desire to support both children and their families in the educational process.

The Mini-Dragons preschool program is available at no cost to families and is open to in-district resident students who will be four years of age by August 1 of the current calendar year. (Students who are already 5 years old should enroll in Kindergarten.) Students attend the program Monday-Friday from 8:45 a.m. - 1:45 p.m. Free breakfast and lunch meals are provided. Bussing is also available. Space is limited.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Arrival & Dismissal

Buses will enter through Frederick Street and follow the loop on the right side of the building.

Car riders will enter the school grounds through Bowman Street, proceed to the right and turn left into the car loop in front of the building. Bowman Street can be accessed through West Street or George Street. Please avoid entering through Washington Avenue. First arriving vehicles should begin lining up at the beginning of the playground fence. Upon exit, use Bowman Street.
  • Please remain in your car during arrival and dismissal.
  • Once parked for arrival, please have students unbuckle and ready to exit. Please encourage them to open the door on their own.
  • For dismissal, staff can assist with opening car doors when needed.
  • If you need to assist with buckling your child, please pull into the parking lot and park to do so as not to hold up traffic. Please work with your child on buckling themselves in.
  • Students need to enter the car through the passenger side. When at all possible, please have their seat on the passenger side of the car.
  • Please do not pass cars in line unless directed to do so.


Dress Code Information

Preschool students will work and play everyday! Please dress them in play clothes and sturdy shoes. 

Please send an extra set of clothing for the exclusive use of your child. In the event this  set is used, parents must send in another set. 

Outdoor play is almost always a part of your preschooler’s day. The children go out for brief walks and for gross motor play. Please dress your child for the weather. During cold weather your child should have hats, mittens, boots, and a warm coat. When boots are worn, please send a pair of shoes for indoor wear.

Health & Developmental Screenings

Our preschool facilitates and supports the healthy development of our students.

Health screening includes:
Vision, hearing, dental, weight, and height

Developmental screening includes:
Speech-language, cognitive, gross & fine motor, social & emotional development

A medical statement must be completed and is due within the first thirty (30) days of school. This form is to be completed annually and is available in the Forms section to the right of this page.

Resting Period

Preschool children attending a program longer than 5 hours will be offered a rest time, which is flexible according to student need and shall not exceed one and one-half hours. Each child will have their own individual mat for exclusive use. Our program does not exceed 5 hours, and therefore does not require a rest period.

Schedules

Daily Schedule                                                    2-Hour Delay Schedule
8:30 a.m. - Arrival                                                 10:30 a.m. - Arrival
9:00 a.m. - Breakfast                                            10:45 a.m. - Start of school day
11:10 - 11:40 a.m. - Lunch                                   11:10-11:40 - Lunch
1:45 p.m. - Dismissal                                            1:45 p.m. - Dismissal

Various Measures Taken

  • All teachers and teachers' aides attend approved courses to maintain their certification in First Aid, CPR, Communicable Disease Recognition & Management, and Child Abuse Recognition & Management.
  • School staff is mandated by law to report suspected neglect or abuse.
  • Emergency evacuation routes are posted and practiced.
  • Preschool is closed if the NCSD is closed.
    • In cases of inclement weather, parents will be notified via district synergoice messages. Also, families are encourages to watch local TV/radio stations for updates.
  • The use of spray aerosols is not permitted. Only spray pumps with approved solutions may be used.

CONTACT

Antoinette D'Urso, Director
P: 330-989-5095

Amanda Tricomi, Principal
P: 330-989-5091

Niles Primary School
960 Frederick St.
Niles, OH 44446
P: 330-989-5091
F: 330-989-5092

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