Berne Union’s preschool is a half-day program for students ages 3-5 years old.  The majority of our students will attend one or two years of preschool prior to kindergarten, but due to birthdate or readiness, some children attend preschool for three years.  (Ohio law requires students to attend kindergarten if they are six years old by August 1 of that calendar year.  However, most students begin kindergarten at age five if they have attended preschool and demonstrates kindergarten readiness skills.)

Our AM preschool session attends school every day from 9:00 AM-11:45 AM.  The afternoon preschool session attends school every day from 12:45 PM- 3:30 PM.  While preschool transportation is not required by state law, Berne Union will be transporting our resident students this school year.

The preschool is a tuition only program, meaning that students are required to pay tuition to attend.  This is standard for all preschool programs, as participation in preschool is not required by law.  We do not have options for free or reduced tuition; all spots require full tuition.  Berne Union’s tuition is extremely competitive for Fairfield County and is raised minimally each school year.  Tuition is divided into payments to make the expense more affordable for families.   Families who get behind in tuition payments will be removed from the program per school district policy to provide a spot for another child on the waiting list.  Tuition is currently around $2140 per year.  This is much less than most families can find childcare for the same amount of time.  

Our preschool currently has four classrooms.  Each classroom is led by a licensed teacher as well as a paraprofessional to assist the teacher and students.  The classes are a mixture of genders, ages, ability levels, and students with and without disabilities.  We do not honor requests for children to be placed in a particular classroom.  

Every year, preschool and kindergarten registration takes place simultaneously in late April.  Please call the elementary office at (740) 746-9968 to make an appointment to register your child. Registering your child for preschool does not necessarily guarantee enrollment.  The board approved enrollment policy is strictly enforced when enrollment decisions are made.  Students with disabilities receive first priority, returning students receive second priority, children of staff members receive third priority, and students who reside in the Berne Union school district receive fourth priority.  Out of district students will be admitted only if spots remain after all Berne Union families are on the roster.  Within each category, priority is given based on birthdate, with the oldest children being admitted first.  

The school day usually consists of a variety of large and small group activities with many opportunities for student choice.  The goal of the preschool program is to educate the whole child and to prepare them for success in kindergarten.

Further questions about preschool can be directed to Melissa Drury, Elementary Principal, at drurym@buschools.com or (740) 746-9968.  You may also contact Amanda Clark, Elementary Secretary, at clarka@buschools.com or (740) 746-9968.

Thank you for your interest in preschool at Berne Union!