Preschool Program
Batavia Public School District 101’s Early Childhood Center offers a preschool program for children with and without special needs.
This program follows directives outlined in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), specifically regarding educating students with special needs in the least restrictive environment possible. According to IDEA legislation, that means children with special needs should be educated with other typically developing children, and they should be educated in a setting as close to the regular classroom as possible.
The program offers half-day sessions similar to preschool programs in the area. Attendance days are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. The AM session is from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., and the PM session is from 12:40 p.m. to 3:10 p.m. Students must be potty-trained before the first day of class and must reside within the Batavia Public School District 101 boundaries. At this time, no busing is provided for community students.
Here is a video that highlights our Preschool Program.
Here is the approved academic calendar for the 2025-26 school year (Early Childhood).
Preschool Lottery
The BPS101 Preschool at the Early Childhood Center is a tuition-free, lottery-based system. Families are, however, responsible for the District’s standard registration fee. To enter the lottery, your child must be turning 3 or 4 years old by September 1, 2026. The 2026-27 school year lottery is now open. The Lottery closes on January 23, 2026, at 3:00 PM. Please complete this form to enter the lottery. After the lottery is drawn, you will receive an email from EC staff informing you whether you were selected for the program and providing instructions on moving forward, or if you were waitlisted.
We have created a video that highlights the different aspects of our program. You can view the video here. If you still have a specific question about the program, you can email the coordinator at Paulette.Ollie@bps101.net
If you have any questions concerning your child’s development or readiness for preschool, you can contact the ECC office at 630-937-8002 and request a free screening.