WARRENTON Even when Mindy Little got laid off as a fifth-grade teacher from Warrenton Elementary School last year as part of budget cuts, she still thought the districts new preschool, which involved hiring an additional early childhood educator and an assistant, was a good idea.

So much so that shes enrolled her 4-year-old daughter Leslie Little, one of at least 13 students already slated to start in Warrenton-Hammond School Districts new fee-based preschool for 3-, 4- and 5-year-olds created in an effort to prepare students for both the academics and social structure of school.

The standards are much higher now, said Little, who was recalled for work along with two other instructors previously laid off. We want our kids to be reading in kindergarten. Its not play any more. This preschool is our kindergarten.

The Warrenton Prep campus, two rooms in the southwest corner of the elementary school, includes two kitchens, craft stations, voluminous cubby space and reading areas. In the room next door, the district is setting up computer stations with donated hardware and specialty, brightly colored keyboards. Students will also be able to utilize WGS library.

The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Alerts crew stopped by and built a chain-linked fence around the outside of the schools yard so children can play outside and stay away from the road.

Everybodys put in so much effort to make this happen quickly, said Christina Nese, the preschools new supervisor.

She holds a masters degree in early childhood/elementary education from the University of Oregon. The district hired her to run the program after a search that started with 30 applicants.

She has previous experience running behavioral courses for students in kindergarten through second grade in Albany, and she operated a Head Start program in Portland. She also has certifications in CPR and first-aid, training in Discrete Trial and the Oregon Intervention System and can communicate in Spanish.

Im using the creative curriculum, which is the Head Start curriculum, said Nese, adding that she supplements the program with her own books and resources to help teach the children. The curriculum at the preschool links in with that of WGS and follows all the common core standards guiding students toward graduation.

So far, said Nese and district secretary Jen Palmer, who organized much of the school, the program is split 50-50 between 3- and 4-year-olds.

Maybe this can be a test model, said Palmer about the relatively new concept. I would love to max the program out at 40 kids. Thats all we can do in these two rooms.

For Natalie and Forrest Duggan, the preschool is just a short jaunt around the block. They plan on enrolling their 2-year-old daughter Alora in the school once she turns 3 in October.

I think she definitely let us know that shes ready to go, said Forrest Duggan. He said one thing he likes about the program is the proficiency based learning, in which their daughter can learn at higher levels with older children if shes ahead of the curve. The Duggans already spend time at home teaching her to read.

Open all the time

Monday is the first day, and then were nonstop, said Nese, who has Classroom Manager Debe Carter to help her and take over when she goes on vacation.

Warrenton Prep offers year-round and 171-day school-year programs. In the year-round option, which includes before- and after-school day care and starts Monday. Preschool starts at 7:15 a.m. and ends at 6 p.m., costing $125 per week for children 4 and 5 years old and $135 a week for 3-year-olds.

The school option, which begins Aug. 29, includes two different schedules, each following the 171-day district calendar. The first, preschool-only option runs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and costs $110 per week for 4- and 5-year-olds and $115 per week for 3-year-olds. The second option, running from 7:15 a.m. to 6 p.m. and including before- and after-school day care, costs $125 per week for 4- and 5-year-olds and $135 per week for 3-year-olds.

Parents can also put their children in for less than five days a week, although Nese said she recommends at least the full preschool package for the most benefit.

Warrenton-Hammond School District Superintendent Mark Jeffery said the district is trying to help children and create a program that will pay for itself. The district would like to start this year with 20 students and max out at 40.

With the focus on having all students read by third grade, this is really needed, said Jeffery. Were hoping to become a pilot site for stuff the state wants to do.

For more information on the Warrenton Prep, visit warrentonprep.com or call 503-861-2281.