State Preschool
Toileting Visual and Resources
FAQs About Toileting Expectations
Does my incoming child need to be potty trained to attend Preschool or Transitional Kindergarten (TK)?
State legislation does not permit districts to deny enrollment to incoming Preschool or TK students if they are not fully potty trained; however, we STRONGLY encourage you to potty train your child before the start of the school year.
What does it mean to be fully potty trained?
Fully potty trained students may have an occasional accident. Fully potty trained means that the pupil:
- comes to school in big kid underpants (not pull-ups)
- can communicate a need to use the bathroom
- can independently take care of toileting (pull down underpants, sit on toilet or stand at urinal, and void the bowels or bladder)
- can independently manage related hygiene (can access toilet paper, wipe, place used toilet paper in the toilet bowl, flush, pull up underpants without assistance, and wash and dry hands)
Will TK classrooms have a bathroom?
All preschool and TK classrooms are located near a bathroom. Teachers will encourage students to use the bathroom during recess and will access additional staff to support bathroom needs throughout the instructional day.
What happens if my student has an accident at school?
Students will be sent to the health office to change if they are wet or wait for their parents to pick them up if they have had a bowel movement.
Please see below resources for additional help:
For more specific information or guidance, consult your child’s pediatrician.
Toilet Training Videos:
- Elmo’s Potty / Elmo’s Potty (Spanish)
- Daniel Tiger’s Stop and Go Potty / Daniel Tiger's Stop and Go Potty (Spanish)
State Preschool Program
The State Preschool Program is an income-eligible program for three and four-year-old children.
Families meeting the state Department of Education/Child Development Division income guidelines will qualify for the program (there are no tuition fees associated with this program).
Our half-day preschool program is offered to families residing in the Goleta Union School District boundaries. All our facilities are licensed through Community Care Licensing and have been rated as a 4 or 5 in the Quality Rating Information System (QRIS) through the state of California.
All preschool classrooms are staffed with a qualified teacher and at least two paraeducators. We provide a curriculum rich with developmentally appropriate instructional materials that works on school readiness skills. Children are instructed in small and large groups as well as encouraged to initiate their own learning while receiving guidance and support from nurturing staff members.
GUSD State Preschool Information Night
The in-person State Preschool Information Night will take place in the GUSD Board Room located at 401 N. Fairview Avenue on May 14th, 2024
at 6:00 pm (English) and 6:30 pm (Spanish).
View the Preschool Enrollment Information Flyer (CLICK HERE)
The following information will help us prioritize enrollment as required by the state of California. Upon completion of this form, you will be contacted in order of priority by June 14, 2024. If you have any questions, please contact Sheila Guzmán at (805) 681-1200 x2228.
Survey Link: 24.25 Pre-Enrollment Survey
For 2024 - 2025 School Year:
Children who will turn 5 between September 2, 2024, and June 2, 2025, are eligible for Transitional Kindergarten (TK). If your child is TK eligible and you are interested in a longer school day at your child’s home school site, please enroll for TK by accessing the online registration link at GUSD.us or reaching out to your home attendance area school.
For the 2024-2025 school year, the three State Preschool sites are: Ellwood, La Patera, and Hollister. Each site offers part-day programs, 8:15-12:00 p.m. (Hollister) or 8:20-12:05 p.m. (Ellwood & La Patera)
Please note: Bus transportation is not provided unless a child’s IEP (Individualized Educational Plan) requires it.
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