Play and Learn Preschool

Where curiosity leads and learning follows.

Play and learn preschool -
The first step in your child's educational journey with Dassel-Cokato Schools!

Play and Learn Preschool is a public school readiness program for children ages 3 to 5. Understanding that young children learn best through play, your licensed early childhood teachers intentionally design the classroom environment to encourage exploration and learning through play following research-based curriculum and the State of Minnesota Early Learning Standards. Play and Learn Preschool embraces curiosity and hands-on problem solving while providing children with daily opportunities for social and emotional development.

Resource

Quick Links

Preschool REgistration

Frequently Asked Questions

2025-2026 Preschool calendar

Little Chargers Childcare

Facebook • Early Childhood
& Community Ed

2026-2027 SCHOOL YEAR

Ages 3/4 Classes

EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER

2 Day Morning Options
Monday/Thursday • 8:00-11:00
Tuesday/Friday • 8:00-11:00

All Day Preschool + Childcare Option
Available between 6:30-5:30

Age 3 by Sept 1, 2026
Use the restroom independently
Anticipated Kindergarten 2028-2029
Parents provide transportation

Ages 4/5 Classes
COKATO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

3 Day/Week Class Options
Mon/Tues/Wed • 8:00-11:00
Mon/Tues/Wed • 12:15-3:15

4 Day/Week Class Options
Mon/Tues/Wed/Thurs • 8:00-11:00
Mon/Tues/Wed/Thurs • 12:15-3:15

All Day Preschool + Childcare Option
Available between 6:30-5:30

Age 4 by Sept 1, 2026
Anticipated Kindergarten 2027-2028
Optional transportation may be an option for the Ages 4/5 preschool classes.

Ages 4/5 Classes
EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER

3 Day/Week Class Options
Mon/Tues/Wed • 8:00-11:00
Mon/Tues/Wed • 12:00-3:00

4 Day/Week Class Options
Mon/Tues/Wed/Thurs • 8:00-11:00
Mon/Tues/Wed/Thurs • 12:00-3:00

All Day Preschool + Childcare Option
Available between 6:30-5:30

DASSEL PRESCHOOLERS hosted here.
Age 4 by Sept1, 202 6
Anticipated Kindergarten 2027-2028
Optional transportation may be an option for the Ages 4/5 preschool classes.

Bus Transportation: Limited bus transportation is available for the
Ages 4/5 classes only.

Ages 4/5 - Morning class
Preschoolers may ride the
PreK-Gr 12 bus TO school.
Ages 4/5 - Afternoon class
Preschoolers may ride the
PreK-Gr 12 bus HOME.

Parents must provide MIDDAY transportation. (home after morning classes and to school for afternoon classes)

Walking Zone:
If your home or daycare is within the elementary school walking zone, bus transportation is not available.

Out of District:
If your home or daycare is outside the school district’s bus service area, bus transportation is not available.

NOTE:
Midday Busing is NOT available.

Parents provide transportation for:
• Ages 3/4 classes
• Ages 4/5 classes midday

PRESCHOOL ONLY (no childcare)
2 Day/Week Classes
• $145 Monthly Installments (OR $1,305 full school year)
3 Day/Week Classes
• $175 Monthly Installments (OR $1,575 full school year)
4 Day/Week Classes
• $205 Monthly Installments (OR $1,845 full school year)

Reduced Tuition & Scholarships
Don’t let preschool tuition prevent your child from enrolling! Reduced tuition is available based on family need or income eligibility, and full or partial scholarships may also be offered. Play and Learn Preschool works with all families to make preschool possible. Call 320‑286‑4120 to learn more.

PRESCHOOL + CHILDCARE
Daily Fee Covers Both Preschool Tuition & Childcare
Childcare available preschool days, non-preschool days, summer
2 Day/Week Classes
• Drop Off/Pick Up between 8:00 am-3:00 pm - $35/day
• Drop Off/Pick Up between 6:30 am-5:30 pm - $40/day
3 & 4 Day/Week Classes
• Drop Off/Pick Up between 8:00 am-3:00 pm - $40/day
• Drop Off/Pick Up between 6:30 pm-5:30 pm - $45/day

2025-2026 CURRENT SCHOOL YEAR

2025-2026 Preschool Class Options

3 year old classes

Early Childhood Center - Mon & Thurs - 8:00-11:00 a.m.
Early Childhood Center - Tues & Fri - 8:00-11:00 a.m.
Must be 3 by Sept 1 & use the restroom independently. Transportation is not available for 3-year-old classes.
Ages 3/4 Classes are intended for children that anticipate to begin kindergarten in 2028-2059.

3-4-5 year-old classes

Early Childhood Center - Mon & Thurs- 12:00-3:00 p.m.
Must be 3 by Sept 1 & use the restroom independently.
Optional bus transportation HOME ONLY will is available for this 3-4-5 Monday/Thursday afternoon class. Student must be 4 years old to be eligible for afternoon transportation.

4-5 year-old classes

Cokato Elementary - Tues / Wed/ Fri - 8:00-11:00 a.m.
Cokato Elementary - Tues / Wed/ Fri - 12:15-3:15 p.m.
Dassel Elementary - Mon/ Wed/ Thurs- 8:00-11:00 a.m.
Dassel Elementary - Mon / Wed/ Thurs-12:15-3:15 p.m.
Must be 4 by September 1st.
Optional transportation may be an option for the 4 & 5-year-old preschool classes for families with bus routes within the school district boundaries. See below for additional details.

Preschool Tuition 2025-2026

2 Day/Week Classes: $122 Monthly Installments OR $1,098 for the full school year
3 Day/Week Classes: $168 Monthly Installments OR $1,512 for the full school year

Reduced Tuition & Scholarships
Please do not let preschool tuition deter you from enrolling your child! Reduced tuition is available based on family need and/or income eligibility guidelines. Full and partial scholarships may also be available. Play and Learn Preschool will work with ALL families to make preschool a possibility. Please call 320-286-4120 to learn more.

$20/Month Transportation Fee: Mid-Day bus riders ONLY.

Please Take Note

Mid-Day Busing:
Preschool families choosing to use mid-day busing who live or will be transported to/from daycare from the:

• Northside of HWY 12 must enroll in an a.m. class

• Southside of HWY 12 must enroll in a p.m. class

• In town may choose either a.m. or p.m. class

**Due to cost, midday bussing will not be available for the 2026–2027 school year.**

Walking Zone:
If your address, or daycare address, is within the elementary school walking zones, bussing would only be available for mid-day transportation.

Registering for Preschool Sections:
If your child will NOT be using bus transportation or will be attending Little Chargers WrapAround Childcare before/after preschool, you may register for either section.

Transportation & Transportation Fees:

Ages 4/5 Dassel Classes and ages 4/5 Cokato Classes: Optional bus transportation may be an option for families with bus routes within the school district boundaries.
• Before morning classes or following afternoon classes, bus riders will ride on the PreK-Grade 12 bus. (no fee)
• MIDDAY PRESCHOOL BUS RIDERS ONLY (after am or before pm):
• $20/Month Bus Fee applies to midday bus riders ONLY. A reduced fee applies to those that qualify for reduced tuition.

Ages 3/4/5 Class at the Early Childhood Center Class: Preschoolers age 4/5 ONLY - optional bus transportation HOME ONLY on the PreK-Grade 12 bus is available for families with bus routes within the school district boundaries. (A preschool may begin riding the bus home after their 4th birthday.)

Ages 3/4 Early Childhood Center Classes: Parent Transportation Only

Contact Us!

Angela Smith, Early Childhood Coordinator
Phone: 320-286-4120
Email: angela.smith@dc.k12.mn.us

In This Section

Play and Learn Preschool