Statewide Voluntary Preschool Program for Four-Year-Old Children

The purpose of Iowa's Statewide Voluntary Preschool Program (SWVPP) for Four-Year-Old Children is to provide an opportunity for all young children in the State of Iowa to enter school ready to learn by expanding voluntary access to quality preschool curricula for all four-year-old children. The allocation of funds for the Statewide Voluntary Preschool Program is intended to improve access to quality early childhood education and provide a predictable, equitable and sustainable funding method to increase the number of children participating in quality programs. Therefore, the four-year-old preschool funds are intended to increase the number of children participating in quality programs.

Statewide Voluntary Preschool Program for Four-Year-Old Children Fact Sheet

The Shenandoah Community School District offers enrollment to all children who are four-years-old on or before September 15th of the current school year.  Children that are three-years-old on or before September 15th AND have been identified as needing special services or have special needs are also allowed to enroll in the SWVPP.  Children are not required to live in the Shenandoah District, but must be a resident of Iowa.

The maximum number of students per classroom is 20, however, the Shenandoah Community School District prefers to have less students per classroom.  The required adult to child ratio is 1 to 10.  Each classroom will be staffed with a state certified teacher and when the class size is higher than 10, an associate teacher will also be added.

Breakfast and lunch are offered daily by the Nutrition department.  Breakfast and lunch are an additional charge.  Families can qualify for free or reduced meal prices.  The free and reduced application is available on the Nutrition page.  

The state requires each program to have a minimum of ten hours per week of intentional instruction.  Our preschool program utilizes intentional, structured instruction with play-based learning.  We also include rest time in the afternoon for students to rest or nap.

Currently, our preschool programs are housed at the Administration Office at 304 W. Nishna Rd.