At Gilbert Public Schools we offer a range of preschool programs where young children learn social skills in real time, in a supportive environment, surrounded by qualified staff. At GPS we believe that high-quality preschool programs nurture warm relationships among children, teachers, and parents.

Explore the variety of GPS Preschool Programs which all offer flexibility, choice, affordability, and fun for your child!

Preschool registration is now open for the current and 2021–22 school year! 

Our Building Blocks 3 and 4, Kindergarten-Prep, and Toybox will be offered in-person on-campus with a range of preventative measures in place.  

• Drop-off/pick-up provided with curbside procedures.
• Smaller class sizes are anticipated due to lower numbers
• Frequent breaks and washing of hands between rotations
• Within classes students stay in groups of five
• Regular hand washing and hand sanitizing stations available in every classroom
• Individually assigned manipulative and instructional materials, as possible

For an extensive list of preventative measures that will be in place on our elementary school campuses please visit our Preventative Measures On Campus page and our Back to School Information & FAQ. 

Amanecer Developmental Preschool is a play-based program aligned with the Arizona Department of Education Early Learning Standards with a focus on critical thinking skills and social-emotional development.

Amanecer Preschool is for families with 3-5-year-olds and is offered at most GPS elementary schools three or four days per week.

This play-based program is aligned with the Arizona Department of Education Early Learning Standards, with a focus on critical thinking skills and social/emotional development. Thematic units are explored by students using a variety of learning styles and modalities, which in turn, ignites curiosity and encourages sustained attention. The program is supplemented using Handwriting without Tears and Creative Curriculum intentional learning materials. Typically developing peers and those with developmental delays work together and grow in one inclusive environment.  Instruction is individualized based upon ongoing progress monitoring (Teaching Strategies GOLD) so the teacher knows what a child knows and what they are ready to learn next.  GOLD is an authentic, ongoing observational system for assessing children from birth through Kindergarten. It helps teachers observe children in the context of everyday experiences, which is an effective way to learn what they know and can do.

Registration for the 2021–22 school year is now available!

If you have concerns about your child's development, do not enroll your child as a tuition student at this time, but instead follow the instructions for the preschool screening process above. Please call 480-497-3461 with any questions.

Registration Information & Tuition Fees

Registration Fee: $50.00/year 

Tuition Options:

• Tuition is $220 each month for 3 days per week (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday), 2 ½ hours per day
• Tuition is $260 each month for 4 days per week (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday), 2 ½ hours per day

Registration fees and 1st-month tuition are due at registration and are both non-refundable.

Preschool Programs Parent Handbook 2021-2022 School Year

Amanecer Special Ed Parent Handbook

Amanecer preschool provides opportunities for your child to:

• Develop an enjoyment for learning
• Explore and investigate for deeper knowledge
• Develop problem-solving skills
• Receive instruction from a certified teacher with the assistance of trained paraprofessionals
• Build friendships with a variety of peers
• Develop creativity
• Learn how to be part of a classroom community
• Receive individualized instruction informed by rigorous on-going progress monitoring data analysis
• Build social-emotional competence
• Build communication skills
• Develop fine and gross motor physical skills
• Develop pre-academic knowledge and skills
• Engage in purposeful and productive play experiences that foster memory development, symbolic thinking, positive approaches to learning, positive social and language skills, math skills, and self-regulation instruction.               
• The Handwriting Without Tears® curriculum draws from years of innovation and research to provide developmentally appropriate, multi-sensory tools and strategies for your classroom. The program follows research that demonstrates children learn more effectively by actively doing, with materials that address all styles of learning.

The Creative Curriculum for Preschool is based on five fundamental principles. They guide practice and help us understand the reasons for intentionally setting up and operating preschool programs in particular ways. These are the principles:

• Positive interactions and relationships with adults provide a critical foundation for successful learning
• Social-emotional competence is a significant factor in school success.
• Constructive, purposeful play supports essential learning.
• The physical environment affects the type and quality of learning interactions.
• Teacher–family partnerships promote development and learning.
• Our instruction is aligned to the Arizona Early Learning State Standards developed by the Arizona Department of Education.

Contact Gilbert Public Schools Community Education Office

480-892-9089 x0
Email: communityedbusinessdept@gilbertschools.net
Office Hours: Monday–Thursday 8:00 am–4:30 pm & Friday 8:00 am–12:00 pm (closed Fridays in June/July)

Note: Gilbert Public Schools Community Education Department has computer terminals available to use at our office at 6839 East Guadalupe Road in Mesa, Arizona, for preschool enrollment for families without online access.