North Dakota Century Code 15.1-09-58 requires a collaborative effort between the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction (NDDPI) and the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to approve local school districts’ Four-Year Old Programs.
All schools planning to offer a Four-Year Old Program for the 2023-2024 school year need to request Four-Year Old Program approval from HHS no later than June 1st.
In order to initiate the Four-Year Old Program approval process, the interested school district must submit the following items:
- A completed and signed SFN 1304 Four-Year Old Program Approval form,
- A copy of the school board minutes documenting school board approval of the program,
- A copy of the most recent fire marshal’s safety report, and
- A non-refundable fee of $50.
Items must be mailed to:
Department of Health and Human Services, Early Childhood
600 E. Boulevard Avenue, Dept. 325
Bismarck, ND 58505-0250
Four-Year Old Programs must be taught by highly qualified teachers who have one of the following:
- B3 License
- Elementary education major and an early childhood endorsement
- Elementary education major and a minor in early childhood education
- Elementary education major and a kindergarten endorsement. A plan of study may be granted for the kindergarten endorsement, allowing a teacher two years to complete the required coursework.
- K-8 license. The K-8 licenses are no longer issued by ESPB. However, those who already have a K-8 license may teach pre-kindergarten.
- K-6 license. The K-6 licenses are no longer issued by ESPB. However, those who already have a K-6 license may teach pre-kindergarten.
Once the Four-Year Old Program Approval form and documentation are reviewed and approved, the school may request a Pre-K grade level configuration with NDDPI. School districts will participate in annual desk audits. MIS03, STARS, and NDTEACH must be updated with your pre-kindergarten information.
Four-Year Old Program Approval is valid for two years. Grade level configuration must be submitted annually to NDDPI.
Information and Resources
- Alexander Public School
- Ashley Public School
- Barnes County North (Wimbledon)
- BECEP Center (Bismarck)
- Belfield Public School
- Berthold Public School
- Bishop Ryan Catholic School (Minot)
- Bob Callies Preschool (Garrison)
- Burlington-Des Lacs Elem School (United)
- Bowman County Preschool
- Cannon Ball Elem School (Cannonball)
- Carrington Elem School
- Cathedral of the Holy Spirit Elem (Bismarck)
- Cavalier Public School
- Central Cass Public School (Casselton)
- Century Elem School (Grafton)
- Christ the King Catholic Montessori (Mandan)
- Dakota Prairie Public School (Petersburg)
- Drayton Public School
- Dunseith Elem School
- Early Child Special Education School (Fargo)
- Edgeley Public School
- Edmore Public School
- Elgin-New Leipzig Public School
- Emerado Public School
- Fessenden-Bowdon Public School (Fessenden)
- Fordville-Lankin Public School (Fordville)
- Gackle-Streeter Public School (Gackle)
- Glen Ullin Public School
- Glenburn Public School
- Golva Elem School (Lone Tree)
- Griggs County Central Public School (Cooperstown)
- Hazelton-Moffitt-Braddock Public School (Hazelton)
- Hettinger Public School
- Holy Spirit Elementary School (Fargo)
- Kenmare Public School
- Kensal Public School
- Killdeer Public School
- Kulm Public School
- LaMoure Public School
- Larimore Elem School
- Leeds Public School
- Lincoln Elem School (Beach)
- Linton Public School
- Litchville-Marion Elem School (Litchville)
- Maddock Public School
- Manvel Public School
- Mapleton Public School
- Martin Luther School (Bismarck)
- Max Public School
- Medina Public School
- Midway Public School
- Minto Public School
- Mohall-Lansford-Sherwood Public School (Mohall)
- Montpelier Public School
- Munich Public School
- Mt. Pleasant Public School
- Nativity Elem School (Fargo)
- Nedrose Public School (Minot)
- New England Public School
- New Rockford-Sheyenne Public School
- Newburg-United Public School (Newburg)
- North Border-Pembina Public School
- North Border-Walhalla Public School
- Northern Cass Public School (Hunter)
- North Sargent Public School (Gwinner)
- North Shore Plaza Public School (Plaza)
- North Star (Cando)
- Park River Area Public School
- Parshall Elem School
- Pingree-Buchanan Elem School (Pingree)
- Powers Lake Elem School
- Richland Elem School (Colfax)
- Rugby Early Learning Center (Rugby Ely Elem)
- Rolette Public School
- Sargent Central Public School (Forman)
- Sawyer Public School
- Scranton Public School
- South Heart Public School
- South Prairie School District (Minot)
- St. Alphonsus Elem School (Langdon)
- St. Anne Elem (Bismarck)
- St. John’s Academy (Jamestown)
- St. John Public School (St. John)
- St. Mary’s Elem (Bismarck)
- Starkweather Public School
- Steele-Dawson Public School (Kidder Co)
- Sterling Elem School
- Strasburg Public School
- Surrey Public School
- Taylor-Richardton Elem School (Richardton)
- The Innovation School (Bismarck)
- Tiny Turtles Preschool (Belcourt)
- Trinity Elem School (West Fargo)
- Turtle Lake-Mercer Public School (Turtle Lake)
- Underwood Public School
- Valley-Edinburg Elem School (Hoople)
- Victory Christian School (Jamestown)
- Warwick Public School
- Washburn Public School
- Westhope Public School
- Wilton Public School
- Wing Public School
- Wishek Public School
- Zeeland Public School