Little Cardinals Preschool Program
About Little Cardinals Preschool
Preschool Program
Our preschool program provides a safe, fun, professional, and caring learning environment for children ages 3–5. Our program is designed to help children learn and grow in a community centered on Catholic values.
Our developmentally appropriate curriculum fosters growth in all areas of development, including religious, cognitive, language, physical, emotional, and creative development. Through a safe and nurturing environment, children experience a wide variety of hands-on, developmentally appropriate learning opportunities that encourage curiosity, confidence, and a love of learning.
Eligibility
- Children must be 3 years old to enroll.
- Children must be fully potty-trained before enrollment.
- As a childcare center licensed through the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), all required paperwork must be completed correctly and on file before a child’s first day.
Preschool Program Options
Preschool Enrollment & Program Options
Enrollment
Pre-enrollment begins in early spring. The registration link will be available below at that time.
Please provide accurate and up-to-date contact information during the registration process. Inaccurate or incomplete information may result in delays or prevent enrollment if we are unable to reach you for verification or additional information.
Our center is licensed through the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE). All classroom teachers meet the requirements established by the state, and we maintain a 1:12 staff-to-child ratio as required by KDHE.
Our lead teachers are responsible for creating engaging, developmentally appropriate activities that foster a love of learning while helping prepare children for kindergarten.
Meals
Children are provided with breakfast, a morning snack, lunch, and an afternoon snack.
When the elementary school is in session, a hot lunch is provided on-site. When school is not in session during the school year, children will need to bring a sack lunch from home.
During the summer months, when the elementary school is not in session, we utilize the Summer Meal Program offered through USD 383. Children are transported by bus each day to an assigned meal location.
Children must be at least 3 years old and fully potty-trained before starting our program.
Preschool Enrollment Options
We offer several enrollment options to meet the needs of our families. Beginning in August 2024, our enrollment options were redefined.
Option 1: Full-Day Preschool
We offer two full-day preschool classrooms. Hours of operation are 7:15 a.m.–5:45 p.m.
The full-day preschool classrooms do not follow the MCS Academic Calendar. A list of program closure dates for the upcoming year will be shared with families in July.
Our program strives to maintain small classroom sizes to provide an environment similar to the elementary school setting.
- 3–4 Year-Old Classroom: Designed for children who will attend two years of preschool before starting kindergarten.
- 4–5 Year-Old Classroom: Designed for children who will attend one year of preschool before starting kindergarten.
Option 2: School-Day Preschool
This option is designed for families who do not need full-day care and prefer to have their child attend preschool during the regular elementary school day.
This option follows the MCS Academic School Calendar, including the elementary school’s start and dismissal times.
For example, if the elementary school day is 7:40 a.m.–2:55 p.m. for the upcoming school year, the preschool classroom will follow those same hours. Students enrolled in this option will not attend on days when MCS is closed.
Information regarding the start and end times for the upcoming school year will be shared with families as soon as the schedule is finalized.
Enrollment Schedules
Families may choose from the following schedules:
- Monday–Friday
- Part-Time: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday
- Part-Time: Tuesday and Thursday
Tuition Payments
Tuition payments for Option 2 (School-Day Preschool) are divided into 10 monthly payments. Invoices will be posted to your child’s account each month from August through May.
For more information regarding part-time session availability, please contact the director at abonilla@manhattancatholicschools.org.
Registration Instructions:
2026–2027 Preschool Waitlist
To join the waitlist for the 2026–2027 school year, please complete the following steps:
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Complete the Pre-Enrollment Registration Form through Brightwheel: https://schools.mybrightwheel.com/sign-in?redirect_path=forms/2cea6b3b-6150-4de9-8681-88052866f720/self-service
Families who are new to Brightwheel will be prompted to create an account before submitting the application.
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Complete all required information.
Please be sure to provide complete and accurate information throughout the registration form. The Parent Contact section is often left incomplete, which can make it difficult for us to contact families regarding enrollment and available placement options. -
Pay the $100 non-refundable registration fee upon classroom placement.
The registration fee will be added to your Brightwheel account once your child has been placed in a classroom. -
Wait for placement confirmation.
Once enrollment opens for the Manhattan community, the Program Director will begin contacting families regarding classroom placement. At that time, prospective families will be enrolled and notified of their child’s classroom placement.
Additional Expenses Collected at Enrollment with Enrollment Paperwork
Supply Fee: $200.00 (per student)
The Supply Fee is applied to your child's Brightwheel account. It is divided into two payments. First payment is invoiced in August, and the second payment is invoiced in January.
PTO Fee: $10.00 (per family)