PreK
Welcome to PreK at Verda Dierzen Early Learning Center!

District 200 offers several different PreK programs:
► Tuition-Based PreK
► Dual Language PreK
► Grant-Funded PreK (PreK for All)
► Special Education Program
D200 PreK programs are held at the Verda Dierzen Early Learning Center, and at Greenwood Elementary School. Both morning and afternoon sessions are available.
For more information on any programming at Verda Dierzen, contact us at 815-338-8883, or email Principal Tricia Bogott.
- Registration
- 2026-27 Tuition-Based PreK
- 2026-27 Dual Language PreK
- Grant-Funded PreK (PreK for All)
- PreK Screening
- Parent Education (For families with children ages 3-5)
- Birth to 3 Program
Registration
PreK Registration
Please note that the online link found on the D200 Registration page is for KINDERGARTEN registration, and NOT for PreK. ALL families interested in PreK registration must apply via the application forms linked below and/or contact Verda Dierzen Early Learning Center directly at 815-338-8883 for the PreK screening and registration process.
The 2026-27 application forms for tuition-based PreK and Dual Language PreK are linked in the sections below.
If you are interested in PreK for the remainder of the 2025-26 school year, please contact us directly at 815-338-8883.
Health Requirements
Per Board of Education Policy 7:100, all students must meet the health requirements as outlined by the Illinois Department of Public Health. All requirements must be in place before school entry.
PreK Health Requirements for School Entry 2025-26 Requisitos de Salud para entrar al PreK 2025-2026
The physical examination form (Certificate of Child Health) can be found in the Health Services webpage. Use the link below and see the tab labeled “Forms.”
We recommend that parents become acquainted with the Health Services page, where they can find all required health forms (physical, dental, eye exam) as well as information about wellness, childhood illnesses, provider resources, and more.
Please contact the Verda Dierzen School Nurse with questions concerning PreK entrance requirements.
Mrs. Anaida Hare
ahare@wcusd200.org
Phone: 815-206-7912
Fax: 815-206-7914
2026-27 Tuition-Based PreK
Program Details
This program is open to 3-5-year-old children whose families reside either in or outside of District 200 boundaries, and who don’t qualify for the grant-funded program.
- Teachers who hold Early Childhood and/or Early Childhood Special Education Degrees and Illinois Teaching Licenses, including ESL Endorsements and/or Bilingual Endorsements
- Classroom assistants who have a minimum of 30 hours of college credit
- The class size ratio of 16 children to one teacher and associate
- Curriculum aligned with District 200 and Illinois Early Learning and Development Standards
- Easy transition from PreK to District 200 kindergarten program
- Two, three, or five days a week programs
- Morning and afternoon sessions are available
- Bus transportation for tuition-based students is available for families for a fee
- Must be 3 years old to be enrolled
► See the Application section below for the 2026-27 application form.
Download and/or print this information Información en español
PreK Options
Monthly Fees
- 5-Day Program $405.56
- 3-Day Program $267.13
- 2-Day Program $199.00
- Optional transportation is available for a fee
Payment Options
- Send a check or money order payable to Woodstock CUSD 200. You may choose to send your check or money order in with your child or send it through the mail to: Verda Dierzen Early Learning Center Attn: Tuition Based PreK 2045 N. Seminary Ave. Woodstock, Il 60098.
- Use the e~Funds payment system to make payments (You will need your child’s student identification number; please contact the office for this information).
- We do not recommend sending cash with your child to school. If you would like to pay with cash, please come into the front office of Verda Dierzen Early Learning Center.
Application
- Required application materials include:
- Original or certified copy of student’s birth certificate
- Copy of a valid state ID or driver’s license
- A non-refundable deposit
- Completed application forms
- Prior to entry to the program, a physical examination and proof of immunizations will also be required.
- This is the first step of the application process. Once your application is accepted, you will then complete the registration process.
For more information, contact Verda DIerzen Early Learning Center at 815-338-8883.
► PLEASE NOTE: These application links will not be active until January 23, 2026.
2026-27 Tuition-Based PreK Application / Solicitud para el Programa de PreK Pagado
2026-27 Dual Language PreK
Our Program Includes:
- Teachers who hold Early Childhood and/or Early Childhood Special Education Degrees and Illinois Teaching Certificates including ESL endorsements and/or Bilingual endorsements;
- Classroom assistants who have a minimum of 30 hours of college credit;
- Class size ratio of 18 children to one teacher and associate;
- Curriculum aligned with District 200 and Illinois Early Learning and Development Standards;
- Easy transition from PreK to District 200 kindergarten program;
- Five-day per week program;
- Both morning and afternoon session availability;
- Bus transportation for tuition-based students is available for families at a fee.
► See the Application section below for the 2026-27 application form.
Download and/or print this information Información en español
Eligibility & Fees
Eligibility
- Must be 4 years old by September 1, 2026
- 18 English Language Learners
- 18 Spanish Language Learners
- Grant funded PreK students
- Tuition PreK students
- Available for in-district students only
Fees
- A monthly tuition fee will be charged to families not eligible for grant funding
- A non-refundable deposit fee will be charged to families not eligible for grant funding
- Optional transportation is available for a fee
Selection Process & Application
- Completed application materials must be submitted no later than Friday, February 20, 2026
- A lottery will be held if there are more applications than spaces available
- Students with siblings currently in the K-12 Dual Language Program will not be guaranteed entry into the PreK Dual Language Program
- This is the first step of the application process. Once your application is accepted, you will then complete the application process.
2026-27 Dual Language PreK Application / Solicitud para el Programa de PreK de Lenguaje Dual pagado
Mandatory Parent Meeting
There is a mandatory meeting for the parents/guardians of all applicants for PreK Dual Language on Thursday, February. 12 at 6:00 p.m. This is a virtual meeting via Google Meet.
February 12 Meeting Link
https://meet.google.com/rjx-tjnn-jrm
Or join by phone
(US) +1 631-616-9306 PIN: 838 407 232#
Grant-Funded PreK (PreK for All)
The grant-funded PreK program, serves children who, because of their home and community environment, are subject to language, economic and similar disadvantages, and who have been determined, through a screening process, to be at risk of academic failure.
Families who want to enroll their 3, 4 or 5-year-old in the tuition-free grant-funded PreK must first schedule a screening appointment to determine if their child is eligible. The process, which is free, assesses a child’s developmental skills, and identifies whether he or she would benefit from some early assistance prior to entering kindergarten. Eligible children may then be registered for PreK depending upon classroom availability.
PreK screenings are conducted at the Verda Dierzen Early Learning Center.
PreK Screening
We offer screenings for children ages three to five living within the Woodstock Community Unit School District 200 boundaries. The screening dates will be scheduled throughout the year at Verda Dierzen Early Learning Center. The screening information is used to determine possible eligibility for the D200 grant-funded PreK programs. If you are interested in VDELC’s tuition PreK program a screening is required.
The screening data provides information in the areas of a child’s communication, gross motor, fine motor, problem-solving, and personal-social skills. A free hearing and vision screening will be completed at a later date.
PreK screenings are free. All screen paperwork will be sent online and must be completed before the child's appointment. You must provide your child’s original or certified birth certificate, proof of residency, proof of income, and the child’s most recent medical and immunization information. To schedule your child for a screening, please call (815) 338-8883 and ask for a Parent Educator.
PreK Screening Dates
- Wednesday, January 21, 2026
- Wednesday, February 18, 2026
- Wednesday, February 25, 2026
- Wednesday, March 4, 2026
- Wednesday, March 11, 2026
- Wednesday, April 8, 2026
- Wednesday, May 6, 2026
- Monday, June 1, 2026
- Tuesday, June 2, 2026
- Tuesday, July 28, 2026
- Wednesday, July 29, 2026
- Thursday, August 4, 2026
- Wednesday, September 9, 2026
- Wednesday, September 23, 2026
- Wednesday, October 21, 2026
- Wednesday, November 4, 2026
- Wednesday, December 2, 2026
- Wednesday, January 20, 2027
- Wednesday, February 17, 2027
- Wednesday, February 24, 2027
- Wednesday, March 3, 2027
- Wednesday, March 10, 2027
- Wednesday, April 7, 2027
- Wednesday, May 5, 2027
- Tuesday, June 1, 2027
- Wednesday, June 2, 2027
Parent Education (For families with children ages 3-5)
PreK Screenings
Our free PreK screening is a valuable tool that can show you where your child is developmentally, and what milestones the child will be working on next. Please see the PreK Screening Dates for more information.
If you are interested in any part of the program please contact a Parent Educator:
Verda Dierzen Early Learning Center
815-338-8883
Maintain consistent communication with families through ClassDojo, Padlet, phone calls, and in-person conversations.
- Post weekly educational and family involvement updates on ClassDojo or Padlet, including topics such as:
- Nutrition and healthy habits
- Public safety and community awareness
- Social-emotional learning (Second Step activities)
- Family engagement opportunities at school and in the community
- Dental, vision, and health resources
- Local and state family support programs
- Host Parent Cafés focused on themes identified through the Parent Inventory or family goals.
- Provide parent education sessions and workshops on topics such as child development, positive parenting, literacy, and wellness.
- Encourage participation in the Parent Advisory Council (PAC) to strengthen family voice and leadership in the program.
Partner with community organizations to connect families with additional learning or enrichment opportunities.
- Provide access to the Kindness Closet at VDELC for clothing, hygiene products, and other essentials.
- Refer families to local agencies for additional support services, such as housing, counseling, or employment assistance.
Maintain ongoing follow-up to ensure families are successfully connected to needed resources.
- Support families through the kindergarten transition process by sharing information and hosting family sessions.
- Provide families with details regarding registration requirements, timelines, and health documentation (dental, vision, and physical exams).
- Encourage participation in the on-site Dental Clinic at VDELC and ensure all health screenings are completed prior to kindergarten entry.
Share classroom readiness strategies and local kindergarten open house opportunities.
Provide home visits if needed to provide support services.
Birth to 3 Program
The Birth to 3 Program is a district-wide program, free to all D200 families. It offers support to families with children from birth to age 3, including developmental screenings, playgroups, family events, a teen parent program, and more. Formerly located at Verda Dierzen, the Birth to 3 Program is now located at Olson Elementary School, 720 Judd Street.
Special Education programs are for students with more significant delays. These programs provide more individualized instruction based on the students' needs. For specific information on special education preschool, please contact us at 815-338-8883, or email Principal Tricia Bogott at tbogott@wcusd200.org.
