A Strong Foundation for Kindergarten and Beyond
At Weld RE-4, we believe that each child is a unique and priceless gift entrusted to our care. We respect, value, and accept all children in our program as we guide and support their learning experiences.
Our preschool program nurtures the whole child, fostering social connections, emotional growth, and academic readiness in a warm, supportive school environment. Best of all, it's available at no cost to families of 4-year-olds through Colorado Universal Preschool (UPK).
Have a 3-Year-Old Ready to Start Learning?
We also offer tuition-based enrollment for younger learners, giving them an early advantage and a head start on school readiness in the same high-quality program. Contact the Preschool Program Office at 970-686-8080 or ec.info@weldre4.org for more information.
Universal Preschool (UPK)
Through the Colorado Department of Early Childhood, all children in the year before kindergarten (4 years old by October 1) can receive free preschool education. This is an opportunity for families to provide their children with early educational support.
Please note that there are a limited number of spots available in our district’s preschool program, and participation is limited to approximately 12 hours per week.
To apply for the preschool program, please contact ec.info@weldre4.org.
Children must reside within the boundaries of our school district to attend our preschool program.
What Makes Weld RE-4 Preschool Different?
Free Public Preschool for 4-Year-Olds
Thanks to Colorado UPK funding, eligible 4-year-olds receive 12 hours per week of exceptional preschool education at no cost to your family. While the state only requires 10 hours per week, we extend our offerings to allow for more learning and play time. That's quality early learning without the private preschool price tag.
Certified Teachers, Not Just Childcare Providers
Your child learns from certified educators with specialized early childhood training, the same caliber of instruction you'll find in our elementary classrooms. This means higher-quality teaching and more intentional learning experiences.
Smaller Class Sizes for More Attention
With just 16 students per classroom (below the state requirement of 20:1), your child gets more individualized attention, stronger relationships, and a learning environment where every child is truly seen and supported.
Seamless Transition into Kindergarten
Unlike standalone preschools, our students learn right alongside elementary school kids. They become familiar with school routines / schedules, hallways, playgrounds, and the kindergarten transition is seamless. No “scary” new building next year, just a walk down the hall.
Academic Learning Through Play
We balance structured academic preparation with play-based discovery. We utilize the Creative Curriculum in our preschool classrooms, which provides resources in all areas of development.
The program uses developmentally appropriate, language-rich, literacy-based activities to support and extend the themes through activities that address all areas of a child’s development: physical, emotional, social, linguistic, mathematics and cognitive.
We Meet Every Child Where They Are
Still working on potty training? New to English? Need extra behavioral support? We welcome all children and work with families to support each child's unique developmental journey. Our inclusive environment includes specialized support for children with diverse learning needs.
It’s important to note that early childhood special education is a state and federally mandated program for 3- and 4-year-old children experiencing challenges in their learning and development, and who meet state eligibility criteria for special education and related services.
Our preschool program reserves spots for children who qualify for these services, and families can enroll at any point throughout the school year. Our trained and certified professionals will evaluate developmental concerns through a service called Child Find. Learn more about Child Find and preschool special education.
Comprehensive Child Assessments
We assess every child's progress throughout the year, not just those receiving special education services. This means we catch learning gaps early and celebrate growth with data that matters.
Support for Multilingual Families
As a public school district, we offer extensive resources and support for families who speak languages other than English at home, helping every child and family feel connected to our school community.
Nutritious Meals Included
Because learning happens best when little bellies are full, students in morning sessions will receive a free breakfast and students in afternoon sessions will receive a free lunch through the Healthy School Meals for All Program.
A Day in the Life of a Weld RE-4 Preschooler
We believe that children learn best through play, so our learning environment offers a variety of activities, materials, and experiences to promote each child’s learning and development. We strive to create a balance between a child’s self-initiated spontaneous learning and intentional teacher-planned, structured activities and projects.
We provide opportunities for children to engage in hands-on, active learning that is intellectually engaging, socially relevant, and personally meaningful to children. All activities are designed to foster self-esteem, self-control and independence.
Each program will provide a schedule to families at the start of the school year. Areas of focus are: social and emotional, physical, mathematics, literacy, language and cognitive growth. Children will receive no more than 30 minutes of screen time per day and never during meal time. Children will also spend a minimum of 30 minutes each day in outdoor play, so you’ll want to make sure your child is dressed appropriately for our ever-changing weather.
The following is a sample of a typical school day:
- Guided play and activities where teachers support hands-on learning
- Play centers for exploration and embedded learning opportunities
- Circle time, story time, small group and whole group learning activities
- 30 minutes of outdoor play for physical development and fresh air
- Meal time for nourishment and social connection
Every element builds the academic, social, and physical skills your child needs for kindergarten.
Preschool Locations and Schedule
Our preschool classes are embedded in several of our elementary schools, providing a seamless transition into the K–12 learning environment. These schools include:
- Grandview Elementary
- Hollister Lake Elementary
- Orchard Hill Elementary
- Skyview Elementary
- Tozer Primary School
We operate on a four-day weekly schedule, offering 12 hours of instruction per week (exceeding the state-required 10 hours to give your child more learning time). While we know many families need full-time care, our program is designed to provide exceptional early learning that can complement other childcare arrangements or family schedules.
We offer two sessions:
- Morning Session: 7:20 a.m. – 10:20 a.m.
- Afternoon Session: 11:20 a.m. – 2:20 p.m.
Ready to Give Your Child the Weld RE-4 Advantage?
Spaces are limited, and our small class sizes fill quickly. Choose from the below next steps:
- To apply for the preschool program and secure your child’s spot, please contact ec.info@weldre4.org
- Call the Early Childhood Office at 970-686-8080 to ask questions or learn more about enrollment, or schedule a tour
- Upon enrollment, families will have the opportunity to schedule a 1-on-1 introduction with assigned teacher