Preschool registration will begin April 15, 2024 and end May 31, 2024. Registration will open back on July 15, 2024. 

There is no online option to register for preschool. Preschool registration is by appointment only. Please see the information below for preschool registration information: 

The FSPS Early Childhood Education Department prioritizes four-year-old children in the grant-funded center-based program in order to optimize Kindergarten readiness. To be considered four-years of age, a child must turn 4 on or before August 1 of the current school year. 

Parents/Guardians may register their three-year-old child in order for them to be placed on a waitlist and/or they may participate in the Parents As Teachers (PAT) Home Visiting Program.

Parents/Guardians who are interested in enrolling their child in preschool or PAT may pick up a paper-copy preschool registration/application packet at the nearest elementary school or the Parker Center (811 North T, Fort Smith) beginning April 12, 2024. Once the packet is completed, you must schedule an appointment to register your child by calling the Parker Center (479) 784-8182 ext. 73556, 73543, or 75218 beginning April 12, 2024. The enrollment packet MUST be completed and brought to the Parker Center (811 North T, Fort Smith), by appointment only. 

Please note:  The FSPS Preschool Program is supported financially through the Arkansas Better Chance for School Success grant and the Child Care Development-Federal PreKindergarten Grant. Eligibility of services is contingent upon a parent/guardian's income. Priority will go to children who are 4 years of age on or before August 1 of the current school year.

Note: If you are unable to reach the Parker Center by phone, please call (479) 784-8182 ext. 73543 and leave a message with your name and phone number, and your call will be returned.

Parents/Guardians will be notified in late July or early August about placement. If a child is not placed in a classroom, he or she will be added to the district preschool waitlist.

Currently, and subject to change, preschool children will begin their traditional learning experience on August 19, 2024 (Tentative). Preschool hours are from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Attendance is required each day.

The preschool program will follow the Division of Childcare and Early Childhood Education Minimum Licensing Requirements, Arkansas Better Chance for School Success and the Child Care and Development Fund grant requirements. 

For questions, call the Parker Center at 479-784-8182 ext: 73543 (please leave a message if your call is missed).

More information (Fact sheet)

Currently enrolled FSPS preschool children turning 5 on or before August 1, 2024: Parents/Guardians will be required to register online for Kindergarten beginning February 19, 2024.

Currently enrolled FSPS 3-year-old children turning 4 years old on or before August 1, 2024: Children currently enrolled in an FSPS preschool classroom do not need to register for the 2024-2025 school year. Currently enrolled children will automatically roll over for services. The preschool teachers will confirm this information with the parent/guardian and will notify the Early Childhood Education (ECE)-Supervisor if changes in a child’s enrollment status should be made.

Children who have an approved packet from 2023-2024, but are on the waitlist: Parents/Guardians of preschool children who are currently on the preschool waitlist will be notified by phone to confirm their status for 2024-2025. When contacted, the parents/guardians will be asked to schedule an appointment with the ECE Department to provide updated income and applications.

Children who are enrolled in the 2023-2024 Parents as Teachers Program, but want in a classroom: Parents/Guardians of preschool children who are currently enrolled in the Parents as Teachers program and are interested in a preschool classroom will be contacted by the parent educator. Parents/Guardians will need to schedule an appointment with the ECE Department to provide updated documentation including the ABCSS/FPK applications and Student Information form.

New Enrollments for Preschool: Registration is by appointment only. A parent/guardian must complete a hard copy preschool enrollment packet. The preschool packets will be available at the Parker Center (811 North T, Fort Smith) for registration. The enrollment packet will need to be completed and brought to the Parker Center/811 North T, Fort Smith in order to complete registration by appointment only. Contact 479-784-8182 ext: 73556 to schedule your appointment.

Reminder: The preschool packet must be complete and all documents must be available for the Early Childhood Education Department (ECE) to copy. Incomplete packets will NOT be accepted.

Required Documents for Preschool Child:

• Birth Certificate or Hospital Birth Record
• Social Security Card
• Current Immunization Record
• Current Physical Exam (within 1 year)
• Proof of Address: (Utility Bill)
• 30 days of income: Pay Stubs, Income Verification Form or No Income Verification Form (we WILL NOT accept a W-2), Schedule C (self employed). 

Schedule an appointment: Parents/Guardians must call the Parker Center at 479-784-8182 ext: 73543 to schedule a preschool registration appointment. These appointments will be held at the Parker Center/811 North T. Street, Fort Smith.

• Elementary schools will NOT accept preschool packets.
• Paper copy packets are available at the Parker Center.
• ALL Preschool Registration will be at the Parker Center/811 North T Street.
• Only one parent/guardian will be allowed to register their child at Parker Center, unless specific paperwork needs to be notarized.
• Incomplete packets will not be accepted, and parents/guardians will be asked to re-schedule their appointment to return with appropriate paperwork.
• Please do not bring your child(ren) to preschool registration.