Preschool For All (PFA) Program

Our preschool proudly participates in Illinois’ Preschool For All (PFA) program. A state-funded program designed to give young learners the strongest possible start. PFA prioritizes enrollment for children who may be considered “at risk” for academic challenges, as defined by state guidelines. The goal is to support early development and ensure students are prepared for a successful transition into kindergarten.

🧠 Developmental Screenings Required

To determine eligibility, all children must take part in a developmental screening that evaluates:

Motor skills
Language development
Conceptual understanding

Guardians will also complete a questionnaire. These components are combined into a composite score that helps determine your child’s eligibility and placement on the program waitlist. Students identified as most at risk, according to state criteria, are given top priority for available openings.

📅 Screening Dates This Year

October 6
January 16
May 15

Click here to place your child on the screening list. It is important to know that being added to the screening list does not guarantee your child will be screened at the next scheduled date, as availability is limited due to the high number of students. Your child will remain on the screening list and will be scheduled for a future screening as space allows.

📝Waitlist

Once your child has been screened as described above, they will be placed on our PFA waitlist. Please note that the waitlist is fluid and may change as new screening results are processed and as space becomes available due to changes in enrollment.

🏫 Preschool Details

Ages: 3–5 years (Children cannot be eligible for kindergarten)
Sessions:
- AM: 8:30 – 11:00
- PM: 12:30 – 3:00
100% Free for qualifying families
All students must be screened to determine eligibility

📚 Our Curriculum

We offer a well-rounded, research-based curriculum that supports growth in all areas of early childhood development:

The Creative Curriculum for Preschool
A play-centered approach that fosters creativity, confidence, and academic readiness
Al’s Pals Social-Emotional Learning
Builds empathy, self-regulation, problem-solving, and healthy relationships
Large Group Instruction
Encourages community building and introduces key learning themes
Small Group Instruction
Allows for individualized support tailored to each child’s needs
Gross Motor Play
Promotes health and coordination through movement-based activities
Learning Through Play
Hands-on learning centers help children explore, imagine, and discover

📞 Contact Us

👩‍🏫 Alexis Hasty
Preschool Coordinator / Elementary Assistant Principal
📞 Phone: (618) 377-7520 ext. 13007
📧 Email: ahasty@gmail.com

👩‍🏫 Julie Heinemann
Preschool Family Educator
📞 Phone: (618) 377-7520 ext. 13307
📧 Email: jheinemann@bethalto.org

For more information or questions, feel free to contact us directly. We look forward to helping your child begin their educational journey with confidence!

Bethalto East Primary School