From USD 428
With Preschool and Kindergarten Pre-Enrollment Night just one week away, USD 428 is celebrating the strong foundation being built for its youngest learners at Little Panthers Preschool.
On March 25, Principal Tandi Mai and the Little Panthers Preschool (LPP) Building Leadership Team presented a report to the USD 428 Board of Education, highlighting the critical role of intentional play in early childhood development.
“Play is powerful,” said Mai. “At Little Panthers Preschool, we are very intentional in creating learning experiences where students explore, problem-solve, and grow. Through play, our students are building the skills and confidence they’ll carry with them into kindergarten and beyond.”
Little Panthers Preschool currently serves 297 students, with 167 students preparing to transition to kindergarten this fall. As the district prepares to welcome its next class of learners, 130 returning students are already pre-enrolled at LPP for the upcoming school year.
Families of new students are invited to attend Preschool & Kindergarten Pre-Enrollment Night on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, from 5:00 PM to 7:30 PM at the USD 428 District Education Center, 1809 24th St. The event provides an opportunity for families to complete enrollment paperwork, meet staff, and learn more about early childhood programs.
“Our pre-enrollment event is an important first step for families,” Mai added. “It’s where connections begin, questions are answered, and we start building that partnership between home and school.”
The Power of Play and Standards
During the board presentation, Mai emphasized that LPP’s curriculum is grounded in the Kansas Early Learning Standards (KELS). Teachers design structured, intentional play and learning experiences that support the development of the whole child—academically, socially, and emotionally.
Highlights from the Classroom
The LPP Building Leadership Team, comprised of teachers and staff, shared examples of how play-based learning supports student growth across multiple areas:
· Motor Skill Development: Activities such as marble painting and block building strengthen fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and early writing abilities.
· Social-Emotional Learning: Through dramatic play and cooperative activities, students practice turn-taking, communication, and conflict resolution. The school is currently emphasizing the character trait of honesty.
· Sensory Integration: Students engage all eight sensory systems—including balance and body awareness—to better regulate and understand their environment.
· Literacy Development: Book centers and imaginative play encourage vocabulary growth, storytelling, and letter recognition, including hands-on activities like building letters with magnetic boards.
· Math Skills: In block and play centers, students explore counting, shapes, and measurement concepts, with current goals focused on counting to 10 using a variety of objects.
The report underscored that by prioritizing the KELS, Little Panthers students are developing the foundational skills for future success.
Families interested in enrolling their child in USD 428’s Preschool or Kindergarten programs are encouraged to attend the April 8 event. For more information, visit tinyurl.com/428enrollprek or call the USD 428 District Education Center at 620-793-1500.