Preschool/Early Childhood Education

Inspiring a Love for Learning in Every Young Mind

At Fort Smith Public Schools Preschool Program, we believe in fostering a love for learning from the very start. Since our establishment in 2003, we have provided a nurturing and stimulating environment where children ages three to four can explore, discover, and grow. Our program ensures that each young mind is valued and supported.

With classrooms across all FSPS elementary schools, our licensed childcare center is highly regarded by the Arkansas Department of Human Services. We proudly serve Fort Smith children with the support of the Arkansas Better Chance for School Success (ABCSS) grant, Child Care Development Funds (CCDF-FPK), local partnerships, and district funding.

Our team of dedicated educators creates an interactive and developmentally appropriate setting, encouraging hands-on experiences and active participation. Our curriculum is designed to stimulate curiosity and inspire creativity.

Nurturing Growth

The mission of the Fort Smith Preschool Program is to create a nurturing and secure environment that offers enriching experiences for young children. Our program is dedicated to fostering the development of essential skills, ensuring children are well-prepared for kindergarten.

FSPS Preschools are committed to helping your child reach their full potential. Join us in shaping a brighter future for your little one through a love for learning and exploration.

Enroll now

Resources

Preschool Handbook

Our goal is to create a nurturing and secure environment where young children can thrive. We are dedicated to providing enriching experiences that foster the development of essential skills, ensuring every child is well-prepared for kindergarten. This handbook is designed to guide you through our program, outlining our policies, procedures, and the many ways we support your child's growth and learning.

Preschool Handbook

Getting Ready for Kindergarten Calendar

Starting kindergarten is an exciting journey for you and your child. The Getting Ready for Kindergarten Calendar is a family calendar filled with readiness activities to help you prepare for this special milestone.

The calendar is packed with activities and ideas that:

Encourage you to spend quality time with your child
Can be easily done together at home and within your community
Often use common household materials, keeping costs low or free
Provide your child with a solid foundation for kindergarten experiences
Align with the Arkansas Department of Education Kindergarten Readiness Indicators

This guide includes a list of kindergarten readiness indicators, a family calendar with monthly themes focused on specific skills, a "Memories of Our Year" section, and essential kindergarten registration information.

Getting Ready for Kindergarten Calendar

Getting Ready for Kindergarten Calendar - spanish

Parents as Teachers (PAT)

Parents as Teachers (PAT) is a home-based program focused on early childhood development, parent education, and family support. PAT is designed to empower parents to give their child the best possible start in life. The program fosters a strong home-school-community partnership that equips parents with critical child development information from prenatal through age five. Through tailored learning opportunities, PAT nurtures language skills, intellectual growth, physical development, social skills, and early literacy, ensuring children receive a solid foundation for lifelong learning.

Early Childhood Education Standards

The "Arkansas Child Development and Early Learning Standards: Birth through 60 Months" equips early childhood professionals with essential tools to support our young learners in reaching their full potential. This document is grounded in brain development research to guide professionals in creating enriching environments and positive interactions that lay a foundation for lifelong learning.

Early Childhood Education Advisory Board

Dr. Sarah Yancey, Chair

Supervisor of Early Childhood Education, Fort Smith Public Schools

Heather Johnson

Executive Director, Head Start Early Child & Family Services

Robin Benham, M.Ed

Youth Services Librarian, Fort Smith Public Library

Cynthia Faught-Stone

ECE Coordinator, Fort Smith Public Schools

Erica Holland

Project Coordinator, Child Care Aware River Valley

Shea Foldvary

Director, United Way of Fort Smith Area, Inc.

Lincoln Childcare Center

Katie Raines

Children's Services, BOST

Dr. Shelli Henehan

Professor, University of Arkansas Fort Smith

Dr. Taneka Tate

Assistant Director of Special Education, Fort Smith Public Schools

Matthew Hominick

Adult Education Center Director, Fort Smith Public Schools

Dr. Monica Wilhelm

Principal - Park Elementary, Fort Smith Public Schools

Britney Watson

Principal - Morrison Elementary, Fort Smith Public Schools

Dr. Dawn Childress

Principal- Orr Elementary, Fort Smith Public Schools

Elizabeth Love

Principal - Spradling Elementary, Fort Smith Public Schools

Nancy Burris

Principal - Ballman Elementary, Fort Smith Public Schools

Miranda Watson

Principal - Barling Elementary, Fort Smith Public Schools

Gina Mann

Principal - Euper Lane Elementary, Fort Smith Public Schools

Jamie Ann Hopton

Principal - Sutton Elementary, Fort Smith Public Schools

Nicole Shaffer

Principal - Cook Elementary, Fort Smith Public Schools

Clint Gillman

Principal - Cavanaugh Elementary, Fort Smith Public Schools

Sharla Whitson

Principal - Woods Elementary, Fort Smith Public Schools

Ami Griggs

Principal - Fairview Elementary, Fort Smith Public Schools

Joni Donoho

Principal - Beard Elementary, Fort Smith Public Schools

Dr. Joana King

Principal - Sunnymede Elementary, Fort Smith Public Schools

Jennie Mathews

Principal - Carnall Elementary, Fort Smith Public Schools

Dana Brooks

Principal - Tilles Elementary, Fort Smith Public Schools

Donna Jones

Principal - Bonneville Elementary, Fort Smith Public Schools

Early Childhood Education Leadership

Dr. Sarah Yancey

Supervisor of Early Childhood Education

Dr. Sarah Yancey stands as a dedicated and seasoned professional in the field of education, with a career spanning 24 years within the Fort Smith Public School (FSPS) district. Her journey commenced in August 2000 when she joined Ramsey Junior High School as a teacher and coach, instilling knowledge in health and physical education while coaching basketball, volleyball, and track.

In 2005, Dr. Yancey ascended to the role of assistant principal at Chaffin Junior High School, showcasing her leadership capabilities. Her commitment to excellence in education was further recognized in 2014, as she was appointed the Supervisor of Early Childhood Education, Parent, and Community Services within the FSPS district.

Dr. Yancey's educational journey is a testament to her dedication to continuous growth and learning. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Education from Henderson State University, a Master of Education in Educational Leadership from the University of Arkansas, an Educational Specialist in Educational Leadership from Arkansas Tech University, and a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership from Lamar University.