Updated April 24, 2025
How do I register my child?
Our registration process is done entirely online HERE. Soon after your registration is confirmed, you will receive a "preference form" to rank your preferences regarding morning or afternoon options and locations.
How much does 4K cost?
The program is tuition-free, with the exception of a small supplemental materials fee, similar to other grade levels that is collected prior to the start of the school year.
Am I required to enroll my child in 4K?
No - 4K is not required, but we encourage families to consider enrolling their child so they can get a head start on academic, social and emotional skills, and learn what it's like to be in school.
JUST ADDED: Which school - Elmwood or Ronald Reagan - will my child attend?
All students whose "home school" is either Orchard Lane or Elmwood will attend Elmwood 4K, and those whose "home school" is Poplar Creek or Ronald Reagan will attend Ronald Reagan 4K. These placements align the schools that have the same morning start times together, and allow the district to provide safe and efficient bus transportation (before school, midday and after school) to all who need it through Durham Transportation services, our bus company.
JUST ADDED: When will morning afternoon assignments be shared with families?
As of April 24, morning and afternoon session assignments are still being determined as we continue to accept enrollments. Please watch for a future communication regarding session assignments, which will include instructions on how to see your child's assignment in Infinite Campus.
UPDATED: Will there be a 4K orientation night? If so, when?
Yes, there will be a 4K orientation night, at which you will get a chance to meet the staff and principals, see the classrooms and participate in some activities. The YMCA will also be in attendance to share information about wrap-around care. It will be at that event that families can bring their proof of residency documents needed for registration. Elmwood's 4K Orientation Night will be 6 p.m. Wednesday, May 28. Ronald Reagan's 4K Orientation Night will be 6 p.m. Thursday, May 29.
We will also have a bus orientation night for incoming 4K/5K students in August, where students will get a chance to ride a school bus for the first time. Important to note: families should attend the event that coincides with their "home school". The dates and times are as follows:
- Orchard Lane: 5:15 p.m. Monday, Aug. 18
- Elmwood: 5 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 19
- Poplar Creek: 5 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 20
- Ronald Reagan: 6:15 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 20
How do I know if my child is eligible?
There are only two requirements: you must live within the District's boundaries and your child must turn 4 years old on or before Sept. 1 of the year they will attend 4K.
Wait, I thought the SDNB already had an Early Learning Program (ELP). Is that going away?
Yes. Our ELP, a tuition-based community program, will be replaced by our universal 4K program for 4-year-olds. The 3-year-old ELP is also being discontinued to accommodate 4K space needs.
Is the Early Childhood (EC) program also being replaced?
No. We will continue to offer Early Childhood Special Education services per your child's IEP.
How will my child get to school and back home?
The SDNB will provide bus transportation for all resident 4K students at no cost to families with morning, midday and afternoon routes.
Who will be teaching the SDNB's 4K?
Each classroom will have a state-certified teacher as well as at least one student learning assistant.
What are the anticipated class sizes for 4K?
We are anticipating that our classes for 4K will average 20+ students per class.
What days and times will my child be in school?
The 4K program runs five days a week and follows the regular SDNB school calendar. Elmwood's sessions will be 8:15-11:15 a.m. and 12:15-3:15 p.m. Ronald Reagan's sessions will be 8:50-11:50 a.m. and 12:50-3:50 p.m.
What is wrap-around care, and how do I sign up for it?
Wrap-around care is childcare that completes the regular elementary school day. If, for example, your child attends a 4K morning session, wrap-around care is available in the afternoon for the remainder of the school day. The YMCA's Y-Base will provide wrap-around care on-site at Elmwood and Ronald Reagan.
It is important to note that there is limited capacity for wrap-around services. It will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis through registration on the YMCA's website. Registration will open at 8 a.m. Tuesday, April 1, on the YMCA website. Families that plan on utilizing wrap-around care are encouraged to register and reserve their spot(s) as soon as possible.
JUST ADDED: Please note that when completing wrap-around care registration on the YMCA website, you will be asked to choose wrap-around care for the morning or afternoon. You DO NOT need to know if your child will be placed in an a.m. or p.m. 4K session at this time; class placements will not be determined until a later date. Registering for either morning or afternoon wrap-around care on the YMCA website will secure your child's spot in the program (again, on a first-come, first-serve basis). Your child will be placed in the appropriate wrap-around session based on their 4K placement.
Before- and after-school care, which will also be available to families through Y-Base, is for families that need to drop their child off before the normal start of the school day or pick their child up after the school day ends. Registration for this also opens April 1.
If you have questions about Y-Base wrap-around care or before/after school care, please contact Emily Parker at eparker@gwymca.org or (414) 329-3842.
Does my child need to be completely potty trained in order to enroll in 4K?
No, but it is strongly encouraged. Your child, however, will need to be potty trained in order to participate in the YMCA's wrap-around care.
My child is advanced for their age. Can they enroll in 4K if they have not yet turned 4 on or before Sept. 1?
We do not have an early entrance opportunity for 4K. Students must be 4 on or before Sept. 1 of the school year to be enrolled.
After 4K, where will my child go to school?
All 4K students will attend either Ronald Reagan Elementary or Elmwood Elementary. When students transition to kindergarten/5K, they will attend the elementary school designated by this boundary map.
