Four-Year Old Program Approval

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North Dakota Century Code 15.1-09-58 requires a collaborative effort between the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction (NDDPI) and the Health and and Human Services to approve local school districts’ Four-Year Old Programs.

All schools planning to offer a Four-Year Old Program for the 2025-2026 school year need to request Four-Year Old Program approval from HHS no later than June 1. Renewal is every two years.

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:

Early Childhood
Department of Health and Human Services
600 E. Boulevard Ave., 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.

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Information and Resources

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2023-2025 Approvals

(Expires 6/31/2025)

  • Hope- Page Public School
  • Williston Basic SD #7 Preschool
  • Center Stanton School
  • McClusky Public School
  • Lakota Public School
  • Maple Valley-Tower City Public School

 

2024-2026 Approvals

(Expires 6/31/2026)

  • Alexander Public School
  • Ashley Public School
  • Barnes County North
  • Beach Public School
  • BECEP Bismarck Schools
  • Belfield Public School
  • Bishop Ryan Catholic School
  • Cannonball Elem. School Cannonball       
  • Carrington Public School
  • Cathedral - Bismarck
  • Cavalier Public School
  • Central Cass Public School
  • Church of Christ the King Mandan
  • Dakota Prairie Public School
  • Drayton Public School
  • Dunseith Public School
  • Edgeley Public School
  • Elgin New Leipzig Public School
  • Emerado Public School
  • Fargo Public Schools
  • Finley Sharon Public School
  • Gackle-Streeter Public School
  • Garrison Public School
  • Glen Ullin Public School
  • Glenburn Public School
  • Golva Public School
  • Grafton Public School
  • Grenora Public School
  • Griggs County Central Cooperstown
  • Hazelton Moffit Braddock PS
  • Hettinger Public School
  • Holy Spirit Elem. School-Fargo
  • Hoople-Valley-Edinburg Pub School
  • Kenmare Public School
  • Kensal Public Schools
  • Kiddder County Public School
  • Killdeer Public School
  • LaMoure Public School
  • Leeds Public School
  • Lewis & Clark Berthold
  • Lewis & Clark NSP
  • Litchville Marion Public School
  • 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 School
  • Montpelier Public School
  • Mt. Pleasant Public School
  • Munich Public School
  • Nativity Elem. School-Fargo
  • Nedrose Public School
  • New England Public School
  • New Rockford Public School
  • Newburg United Public School
  • North Border School Pembina
  • North Border School Walhalla
  • North Sargent Public School
  • North Star Public School
  • Northern Cass Public School
  • Park River Public School
  • Pingree Buchanan Public School
  • Powers Lake Public School
  • Richardton-Taylor Pub. School
  • Richland 44 Public School
  • Rolette Public School
  • Rugby Public School
  • Saint Anne School-Bismarck
  • Saint Mary’s School - Bismarck
  • Sargent Central Public School
  • Sawyer Public School
  • Scranton Public School
  • South Heart Public School
  • St John Public School 
  • St John's Academy Jamestown
  • St. Alphonsus School Langdon
  • Starkweather Public School
  • Sterling Public School
  • Strasburg Public School
  • The Innovation School Bismarck
  • Tiny Turtles Belcourt
  • Trinity Elem School-Fargo
  • Turtle Lake-Mercer Pub School
  • Underwood Public School
  • Victory Christian School - Jamestown
  • Valley-Edinburg Public School
  • Washburn Public School
  • Westhope Public School
  • Wilton Public School
  • Wing Public School
  • Wishek Public School

  • Zeeland Public School

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Questions? Contact Us

Early Childhood
600 E. Boulevard Avenue, Dept. 325
Bismarck, ND 58505-0250

Phone: (701) 328-2115
Toll-Free: (800) 997-8516
Relay ND TTY: 711
Email: dhsec@nd.gov