- Fort Smith School District
- About the Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment (CIA) Department Overview
- Instructional Services: PK-12 Education
- Preschool/Early Childhood Education
Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment
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Early Childhood
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The Fort Smith Public Schools Preschool Program has been in existence since Arkansas Better Chance for School Success (ABCSS) awarded funding in 2003. Registration for preschool services is located at Parker Center, 811 North T Street.
- The district now houses 21 preschool classrooms in each elementary building with the exception of Trusty Elementary School.
- The FSPS Preschool Program is a licensed childcare center and is in good standing with the Arkansas Department of Human Services Division of Child Care and Early Childhood Education Child Care Licensing Unit.
- FSPS preschool services are supported financially through the ABCSS grant, Child Care Development Funds - Federal Prekindergarten Grant (CCDF-FPK), local partnership donations and district match funding.
- The FSPS Preschool Program serves children ages three to four years old whose families are income-eligible.
- Utilizing grant funds, FSPS provides non-special education preschool services to approximately 420 children.
![Preschool students in a classroom. Preschool students in a classroom.](/cms/lib/AR02203514/Centricity/Domain/1796/Early Childhood.jpg)
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Getting Ready for Kindergarten Calendar for Families - English
Getting Ready for Kindergarten Calendar for Families - Spanish
Arkansas Better Chance For School Success (ABCSS) is an early childhood program which receives state funding. Eligibility is based on family income and services target three and four-year-old children.Child Care Development Fund/Federal Pre-K (CCDF/FPK) is an early childhood program that receives federal funding. Eligibility is based on family income, continuing education hours, and extenuating circumstances are considered according to grant guidelines. Services target three and four-year-old children.
Parents as Teachers (PAT) is a home-based early childhood, parent-education and family support program designed to empower parents to give their child the best possible start in life. This home-school-community partnership provides parents with critical information on child development from prenatal to age five. Learning opportunities that encourage language skills, intellectual growth, physical development, social skills, and early literacy are provided.
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For further information, please contact:
Dr. Sarah Yancey
Supervisor of Early Childhood Education
479.784.8182, Ext. 73533
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Early Childhood Education Advisory Board
Dr. Sarah Yancey, Chair
Supervisor of Early Childhood Education, Fort Smith Public Schools
Heather Johnson
Executive Director, Head Start Early Child & Family Services
Robin Benham, M.Ed
Youth Services Librarian, Fort Smith Public Library
Cynthia Faught-Stone
ECE Coordinator, Fort Smith Public Schools
Erica Holland
Project Coordinator, Child Care Aware River Valley
Shea Foldvary
Director, United Way of Fort Smith Area, Inc.
Lincoln Childcare Center
Katie Raines
Children's Services, BOST
Dr. Shelli Henehan
Professor, University of Arkansas Fort Smith
Dr. Taneka Tate
Assistant Director of Special Education, Fort Smith Public Schools
Matthew Hominick
Adult Education Center Director, Fort Smith Public Schools
Dr. Monica Wilhelm
Principal - Park Elementary, Fort Smith Public Schools
Britney Watson
Principal - Morrison Elementary, Fort Smith Public Schools
Dr. Dawn Childress
Principal- Orr Elementary, Fort Smith Public Schools
Elizabeth Love
Principal - Spradling Elementary, Fort Smith Public Schools
Nancy Burris
Principal - Ballman Elementary, Fort Smith Public Schools
Miranda Watson
Principal - Barling Elementary, Fort Smith Public Schools
Gina Mann
Principal - Euper Lane Elementary, Fort Smith Public Schools
Jamie Ann Hopton
Principal - Sutton Elementary, Fort Smith Public Schools
Nicole Shaffer
Principal - Cook Elementary, Fort Smith Public Schools
Clint Gillman
Principal - Cavanaugh Elementary, Fort Smith Public Schools
Sharla Whitson
Principal - Woods Elementary, Fort Smith Public Schools
Ami Griggs
Principal - Fairview Elementary, Fort Smith Public Schools
Joni Donoho
Principal - Beard Elementary, Fort Smith Public Schools
Dr. Joana King
Princpal - Sunnymede Elementary, Fort Smith Public Schools
Jennie Mathews
Principal - Carnall Elementary, Fort Smith Public Schools
Dana Brooks
Principal - Tilles Elementary, Fort Smith Public Schools
Donna Jones
Principal - Bonneville Elementary, Fort Smith Public Schools