Ringling Head Start Preschool

07/31/2026

Space is limited but we do keep a waiting list so come see us Monday. The application process does require approval before enrolling so to ensure your child gets to start with everyone else we need to apply as soon as possible. If your child is already approved we will be calling Tuesday to set appointments for August 10 or 11 to complete final enrollment forms before class starts August 12th.

Reminder: Pre-K and all new student enrollment information is below. Head Start will be enrolling students at the Head Start building for those who need to enroll.

High School (9th–12th Grade) days for class schedule finalization is also included below.

07/15/2026

In person enrollment will be August 3rd. If your family is new to Head Start you may use the QR code to start the process. Spaces are limited so apply now!

05/18/2026

Last chance for in person enrollment before Fall is today and tomorrow til 3:30!

05/08/2026

If you have yet to complete your child’s enrollment application please do so as soon as possible. Best time is 12:00pm-3:00pm. New applicants can start the process online but if you had a previous child in our class it won’t allow you.

04/15/2026

03/23/2026

Taking applications daily!

03/02/2026

Scan the QR code to begin the application process. We are here to help and are available after 12:00 and can be reached at 580-662-2987 or 1 (580) 409-2815. Or come by the center from 12:00-3:00.

08/10/2025

We teach all of these in Head Start Preschool. We still have a few openings for the 25-26 school year. Come see us at The Early Childhood Center next to the Ringling Elementary School tomorrow. You are welcome to tour the class, meet our staff, get answers to questions and pick up an application. Or call 580-662-2987.

POST FROM AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL ABOUT PREPPING KIDS FOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
HERE IT IS: 

A lot of parents want to know how to prepare their kids to start school for the first time. Skip the flash cards and teach them the below things:

Self-Help
- How to open and close containers. Specifically the kind you’ll put in their lunch boxes.
- How to put on a jacket so that the sleeves don’t get pulled through. How to fix the jacket if the sleeves do get pulled through. How to zip it up.
- How to zip and snap or button pants.
- Your child will be the holy grail of their class if they can tie their shoes.

Personal Care:
- TO GO TO THE BATHROOM WITH THE DOOR CLOSED. Lawd. Please teach them this. It may be no big deal at home, but it will be at school if they expose themselves to an entire classroom full of their friends.
- How to pump soap. How to properly wash their hands. To turn the sink off and dry their hands.

Social:
- How to wait and take turns.
- How to share. How to compromise.
- How to listen and follow 2 step directions. (First, take your jacket off. Then put it on the hanger) If you want to get crazy - try 3 step!

Language:
- Build vocabulary with them! Talk to them. Use big words. Explain what they mean. When they start to learn to read, it’ll be much easier for them to identify a word that is already in their vocabulary.
- Help them build their own language and memory by reflecting. Tell them what you need at the grocery store. When you get there, ask “What did we come to the store for?”
- Make them ask a question! Don’t let them say “I’m thirsty” and hand them a glass of water. You are being their problem solver, rather than having them find their own solutions. Teach them to ask for what they need. “Can I please have a glass of water?”

Coping Skills:
- Talk very intentionally about strategies to deal with emotions.
- “When you’re feeling scared, let’s try doing box breaths.”
- “If you’re feeling sad, what’s something happy that you could think about to cheer you up?”

Your child will be ready to learn if you can just work on these things. All the academic stuff will come! You don’t need to pound their tiny brains full of memorized facts. Just work with them in developing as a tiny human.

Via