The White River School District will launch a tuition-free early kindergarten program for children who are ready and eager to learn but not quite ready to start regular kindergarten.

The program is for children who turn 5 years old before Aug. 31 or those who will turn five between Sept. 1 and Dec. 31.

Children who turn five between Sept. 1 and Dec. 31 must be screened to ensure they are developmentally ready for the program. The fee for this screening is $75 and is conducted by appointment. The screening is recommended but optional for children who are already age 5.

Early kindergarten classes will take place 2 1/2 hours per day (mornings), five days per week at Mountain Meadow Elementary School. The class will be taught by a certificated teacher and will include reading, writing and math curriculum for early learners. The program will be individualized based on each child’s developmental progress.

Following the early kindergaten year, students would be well prepared to enroll in a regular kindergarten class, either part time or full day, tuition-based, or possibly move into a kindergarten/first-grade combination class.

Anyone intereted in enrolling their child in early kindergarten can contact the school district office at 360-829-3814. A minimum of 18 registered students are needed to operate the program.