Welcome to our Little Learners Corner! We are so excited that you are interested in our Preschool for All Program. Little Learners is a pre-kindergarten program that provides a nurturing, high-quality learning environment where our youngest learners build strong foundations in language, literacy, social-emotional development, and early academic skills. Through engaging, play-based instruction and individualized support, Little Learners helps prepare children for kindergarten success while partnering with families to promote lifelong learning.

Little Learners screening for the 2026-2027 school year can be completed by following the steps below. If your child already has an IEP, please contact the N.B. Galloway front office at 815.467.4311 prior to beginning the screening steps. These steps will allow us to collect the information necessary to determine your child's eligibility for our at-risk program. Children must be 3 by September 1, 2026, cannot turn 5 before September 1, 2026, and must reside in the District 17 boundaries.

Step 1 - Online Little Learner Screening Questionnaire - Complete this online informational packet about your child and family. This information helps us get to know your child and family. It also provides us with some of the necessary information we need to determine your child's at-risk score, which is used for program eligibility.

Once you complete Step 1, you will receive an email with the instructions to complete STEPS 2 & 3.

Step 2 - Sign up for an In-person Screening Slot. The phone number to contact SOWIC and schedule your screening will be provided in the email sent following step 1.

Step 3 - Attend the In-person screening that you signed up. (Steps 2 & 3 must completed prior to attending)

• What to bring: Income/Public Benefits Documentation*

  • Household Income: documentation may include two most recent pay stubs, most recent tax return, most recent W-2, or a verification letter from employer.  

  • Medicaid Card: must be in the parent’s name (if applicable)

  • SNAP: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program formerly known as Food Stamps (if applicable)

  • WIC: Women, Infants, and Children (if applicable)

  • TANF: Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (if applicable)

  • CCAP: Child Care Assistance Program (if applicable)

  • Housing Subsidy (if applicable)

• Who should attend: Parent/Guardian and child being screened

*This documentation is required in order to have your child considered for eligibility in the pre-kindergarten program at N.B. Galloway, however, income is NOT a determining factor for entrance into the program. If income is not provided, your child may still be screened but will not be considered for the program.

All steps must be completed in order for your child to be considered for the pre-k program. Not all children who are screened will receive a spot in the program. Questions about screening or the Little Learners program can be sent to screening@csd17.org or call Katey Perry at 815.467.4311.

The screening results and submitted paperwork will be used solely to determine your child’s eligibility for the 2026–2027 preschool program. You will receive an email notifying you of your child’s acceptance status and, if accepted, the session they have been assigned to. If your child is placed on a waiting list, we will contact you if a spot becomes available at any point during the school year. Please inform us as soon as possible if you do not wish for your child to remain on the waiting list.

Beginning in the 2026-2027 school year, the Little Learners Program will have 2 classrooms at N.B. Galloway! Both classrooms will follow the Preschool for All Grant Guidelines.

Our program provides developmentally appropriate instruction that encourages young learners to grow through exploration, discovery, interactive play, modeling, music, and a wide range of hands-on experiences. A typical daily schedule includes play-based learning centers, gross motor activities, whole-group instruction, and snack time. Families are valued partners in their child’s education and are encouraged to volunteer in the classroom, attend parent education events, and participate in field trips and other family-focused activities throughout the year. Teachers maintain strong communication with families through our Remind App, weekly newsletters, and Fall/Spring Parent Teacher conferences.

Children in the Little Learners program are assessed using the GOLD Assessment, an online, observation-based tool that allows teachers to monitor student progress across key developmental domains, including mathematics, social-emotional development, language, cognitive skills, literacy, and physical development. These areas are aligned with current early learning standards and expectations. Our program also utilizes various curriculum-based resources, including Creative Curriculum and Wilson's Fundations.