218.998.0544 Ext. 8900
District 544 has provided early childhood programming since 1986. Our programs serve children and families birth through the start of Kindergarten. Programming allows for matching a wide variety of services with the needs of participating children. The service agencies collaborate to meet the health, education and social needs of children in order to enhance their learning, development and future success in school.
Our programs include:
Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE)
Explore our programs and if you have any questions please feel free to reach out at any time!
Early Childhood Education- Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) and School Readiness Otter Preschool serve parents and children ages newborn to not yet in Kindergarten. Our classes are open to all families; no one will be turned away due to the inability to pay - reduced fees are available to families as they qualify. We do, however, need to limit enrollment in classes due to space limitations, so register early! If a class becomes full, your name will be put on a waiting list. All programming is held at the Lincoln School 2300 College Way Fergus Falls, MN.
School Readiness Otter Preschool is a public school program for children ages 3 to 5. This program is a collaborative of the School Readiness and Early Childhood Special Education programs. Our goal is to have a program which offers developmentally appropriate play and learning experiences that set the foundation for success in school. School Readiness is a 4 Star Parent Aware rated program, eligible to use Early Learning Scholarships.
Otter Preschool is for everyone! Otter Preschool offers two or four half days per week, Monday through Thursday. No one is turned away for inability to pay. Reduced fees are available to families as they qualify.
Otter Preschool:
Highly Qualified staff- Early Childhood teachers are licensed by the MN Board of Teaching.
Offers developmentally appropriate play and learning experiences that set the foundation for success in school.
Provides an environment for children to develop their social skills through early friendships and play.
Encourages children to explore and participate in hands-on learning that encourages creativity and problem solving.
Provides a relaxed and safe environment where children participate in music and movement, creative arts, science and discovery, language and literacy, and mathematical experiences through the use of developmentally appropriate curriculum and assessment built on the state early learning guidelines.
Provides large motor space for physical growth and development.
Payments for enrollments can either be made by check, cash, or on-line by going to the Fergus Falls school website: www.fergusotters.org and clicking on the ‘school store’ under the quick links tab and logging into your account that was used to register with. ECFE payment is due upon registration and School Readiness Otter Preschool is billed monthly through email. *No one will be turned away due to the inability to pay - reduced fees are available to families as they qualify.
4 and 5 year old students participating in full day programming are eligible to participate in school district transportation. These are the standard school district routes and will have older children riding the same bus as your preschooler. If you would like your child to participate in school district transportation, or have any questions, please contact the Lincoln School Office at 218-998-0544 ext. 8900.
All families must complete the Ottertail Coaches bus form.
You can help the Fergus Falls ECFE, Otter Preschool, and the United Way Child Care Visitor programs earn money for instructional and educational supplies, toys, paints and paper by saving the following:
We receive 1% of the total of the receipts we turn in
Other Fundraising events throughout the year have included:
Popcorn Sales from Mother Goose and Beans
T Shirt Sales
Notebook Sales
Book Orders
Scholastic Book Fairs
We are always open to new ideas to support our program if you have new fundraising ideas please let us know!
Fever, upset stomach, unusual rash, cough with fever? Please keep children at home if they are showing signs of illness. Children who have a fever should not attend classes. If your child develops a communicable disease, please call the Early Childhood Center at 218-998-0544 ext. 8900. We will notify other parents to watch for symptoms.
School Health office information can be found here.
Please Note: Minnesota law requires that all children have up-to-date immunizations at the time they enter Early Childhood classes including ECFE and Otter Preschool. No student will be turned away; a notarized statement must be submitted in order for the student to receive an exemption if contrary to beliefs.
Children's Corner Learning Center
Consumer Product Safety Commission
Fergus Falls Early Childhood Initiative (ECI)
Harvard Center on the Developing Child
Otter Tail County Public Health
Otter Tail County Human Services
Minnesota Association for the Education of Young Children (MnAEYC)
Minnesota Association for Family and Early Education (MNAFEE)
Minnesota Department of Human Services Information Center
Minnesota Child Care Association
Mahube–OTWA Communities Action, Inc.
National Association for the Educaiton of Young Children (NAEYC)
Prairie Wetlands Learning Center- Fergus Falls
Closings due to inclement weather
District 544’s ECFE & Otter Preschool follow closing procedures for the Fergus Falls school district.
If Fergus Falls school is 2 hours late:
Preschool FULL day classes will be 2 hours late and resume after the late start (10:30am- Doors will open at 10:20am)
Preschool HALF day morning classes are CANCELED
NO Early Gym Drop off
ECFE morning classes are CANCELED
PM Preschool and PM ECFE classes will run as usual when school is only delayed
If Fergus Falls school is dismissed early:
Preschool FULL day classes will dismiss
Preschool HALF day afternoon classes are canceled
ECFE afternoon and evening classes are canceled
If Fergus Falls school is cancelled/closed:
All Preschool and ECFE classes are cancelled for the day
Weather cancellations will be broadcast on KBRF & KJJK on Lakes Radio.
Weather related announcements are broadcast on the following radio and TV stations:
Lakes Radio in Clear Channel Radio
Fergus Falls: Fargo:
Family – AM 1020 KBAF- FM 93
KJJK-FM 96.5 KFGO-AM 790
KBRF-AM 1250 KKBX- FM 101.9
KZCR-FM 103.3 KRVI-FM 95.1
Lakes-Fm 99.5 KVOX-AM 1280
WDAY-FM Y-94
Fargo TV Stations: KXJB 4, WDAY 6, KVLY 11
Check our FACEBOOK page for @isd544earlychildhood for up to date information. You may also call 218-998-0544 to find out weather related announcements for district classes and activities or to subscribe to district alerts go to the website: www.fergusotters.org click on Quick links and then alerts. *Please note announcements are from the district specifically and will not state Early Childhood separately our Facebook is the best place to see announcements specifically for Early Childhood.
Also, Check our Facebook page for up to date information @isd544earlychildhood
A BIG THANK YOU FOR THESE PROGRAM SUPPORTERS!
For program and registration information
Physical Location:
2300 College Way, Fergus Falls, MN 56537
Mailing address:
601 Randolph Ave., Fergus Falls, MN 56537
Phone: 218-998-0544 Ext. 8900
