Four & Five Year Olds

Early Childhood Screening (ECS) is a program that helps to identify health and developmental needs of young children before they enter Kindergarten. The screening includes vision, hearing, height, weight, development, speech, social/emotional, and review of health and immunization information. The screening is required by law for entrance into Kindergarten in Minnesota Public Schools. 

Saint Paul Public Schools provides the screening without charge to children ages 3, 4, and 5 years old. It is important to have children screened at an early age so there is adequate time to obtain help for any identified concerns before the child enters school. Parents/guardians could use their child's third birthday as a reminder to sign up for this FREE screening. 

To obtain further information, contact the Early Childhood Screening Office at 651-632-3746 or ECScreening@spps.org.

Full-day Pre-K programs are offered at most elementary schools and the Districtwide Early Childhood Hub. Children who are 4 years old by September 1, 2026, and live in St. Paul are eligible for Pre-K. 

Children are accepted into the Pre-K program based on available space. Priority admission is based on whether students are English Learners, are eligible for certain educational benefits or receive ECSE services. For more information, visit spps.org/prek or call 651-632-3760.

SPPS partners with Head Start to offer additional Pre-K seats at select schools. Families eligible for Head Start can contact the Student Placement Center for more information.

Pre-Kindergarten Schools

Students whose birth date falls between Sept. 2 and Dec. 31, 2021 may apply for early admission to kindergarten.

The early admission process involves a screening of your child’s knowledge and understanding, motor skills, communication skills, and social/emotional development, along with an observation of your child in a kindergarten classroom. Early admission screening takes place in March and classroom observations take place during a two-week window in April with final decisions in late April. Screenings will be held at the Student Placement Center and with classroom observations scheduled at an SPPS site. Enrolling a child in kindergarten early is an important decision that may have a long-term impact on their educational progress. Please note that the decision of the screening team is final and cannot be appealed. All children who are ready for early kindergarten will be monitored throughout the fall to determine if their skills reflect the abilities needed to continue in kindergarten.

Students recommended for early admission to kindergarten will be enrolled based on available space, and after all kindergarten-eligible students are placed. Please register for the Early Admission to Kindergarten Assessment by Friday, February 20, 2026. Students will be screened at the Student Placement Center. For more information, please call the Student Placement Center at 651-632-3760.