Fun & Friends is a child care program for students in kindergarten through 6th grade. It has served the students of Brainerd Public Schools for over 30 years with age-appropriate, fun, recreational activities. Care is provided before school, after school, on non-school days, and over the summer. Sites include Nisswa Elementary, Baxter Elementary, Riverside Elementary, Harrison Elementary. School Year 2026-2027 School Year registration is now full. If you'd like to add your child to the waitlist or have any questions please email Cassandra Hale, cassandra.hale@isd181.org Registration Windows Phases Who’s Included July 13- July 19 Priority Registration All families who have students currently attending Fun & Friends summer programming.All families who had students attend the 25-26 school year. Families currently on the 2026 summer waitlist prior to today’s date, 7/7/2026. (These families will receive notification.) July 20- July 26 Public Registration Open to everyone to complete enrollment. All public enrollments will be placed in a lottery. The number of spaces will be based on staffing availability. Families will be notified of their status by July 31. *Families must sign up during the correct stage for their application to be considered. Signing up before your registration window will result in a denied application. How to Register: Registration is done online. Scroll down to Account Management and then login. Then click on Register a New Contract. Scheduling: Schedules are due every other Wednesday by 4:00 PM for the upcoming two weeks. Invoices will be sent on Thursdays and are due by the following Monday. Email reminders will be sent out every other week by Cassandra Hale, Fun & Friends Secretary, with schedule’s due reminders. Invoices must be paid on time to keep your school year registration active. Rates After School Number of days a week scheduled: Rate per week: 1 $17 2 $34 ($17/ day) 3 $42 ($14/ day) 4 $48 ($12/ day) 5 $60 ($12/ day) Before School:$7/ day Non-school day: $45/day Registration Fee: Fun & Friends has a $30/year registration fee per child. If your child attends summer Fun & Friends, this registration was included with the summer contract and will not be added to the school year. Your $30 registration fee applied when your application is approved. Drop-In Days: If you are requesting child care with less than 7 days' notice, the daily rate will be $17/day for after school. Please keep in mind that we are staffing and preparing our activities based on the number of kids scheduled, so we do ask for drop-in days to be limited. Please contact your Site Supervisor beforehand to make sure there is room for your child to attend as a drop-in. Incoming Kindergartners: Per MN certified child care statutes, a child must be entering kindergarten within four months of their first day in school age care. Records will be reviewed with district enrollment personnel to confirm that a child will be attending kindergarten in the fall of 2026. If a child, even if they are 5 years old, will not be attending kindergarten in September 2026, they are ineligible to attend school age care. Please note: Kindergartner's first day of school is September 10, we do not have all day care for Kindergartners on September 8 & 9 and their last day of school is June 2, Kinderfriend day. We do not have all day care June 3 & 4. For more information or to view our handbook, please visit the Fun & Friends website, HERE.

Registration for the 2026-2027 School Year is open! 2026-2027 Preschool Information Packet **Early Childhood Programming will not be held at Riverside Elementary School during the 2026-2027 School Year. Registration Step-by-Step Guide Brainerd Public Schools’ Preschool Programs: Preparing Your Child for a Bright Future! Brainerd Public Schools take pride in investing in our youngest learners and in preparing children and families for success in school. We have a variety of preschool options serving 2 ½- 5 year olds. Our preschool program prepares children to enter school by focusing learning around classroom routines and procedures, social and emotional development and academic development. A Four Star Parent Aware Rated Program! Our preschool programs have earned a four-star rating from Minnesota’s Parent Aware- the highest rating possible! The Parent Aware rating system helps parents find preschools and childcare programs focused on high quality early learning and kindergarten readiness. Our Staff: All of our classrooms are staffed by licensed Early Childhood teachers and include a qualified teaching assistant. Many on our classrooms also have a licensed Early Childhood Special Education teacher as part of the teaching team, making our staff to student ratio lower than the state recommended average. Our Curriculum: *Frog Street Pre-K is a research-based curriculum organized around 9 thematic units integrating literacy, math, science, social studies, social-emotional connections, STEAM, technology, assessment, and family engagement. *Pyramid Model innovations focuses on improving the social, emotional and behavioral outcomes of young children birth to 5. *Second Step helps young learners harness their energy and potential by teaching them self-regulation skills to help them listen, pay attention, manage their behavior and get along with others.*Handwriting Without Tears uses music, movement and manipulatives to help teach students correct grip, letter formation and placement.*Gross Motor play is built into our preschool schedule each day whether it be gym time, playground time or even yoga and dancing in the classroom. Students at our WELC location participate in a Motor Lab at least once a week designed by Physical & Occupations Therapists from the Paul Bunyan Co-op. Please note that the following classes are CURRENTLY ON A WAITLIST for the 2026-2027 School Year: -All classes at Nisswa Elementary -WELC (including VPK): *Mon/Wed Full Day classes *Tu/Thu Full Day classes *M-Th Morning classes Click here to schedule your child's early childhood screening.

ECFE offers many special events throughout the year for families with birth-5 yr olds.  These events take place across our community to provide fun and meaningful experiences for families. 

Learn something new, connect with others in the community, stimulate your creativity or improve your health. Youth Sports offers a variety of fee-based classes and activities designed for youth of every age.

Time Together Classes provide weekly time for parents/guardians and their children birth-5 years old. Parent Education time is included in all of our Time Together classes with a Parent Educator (parents separate during parent time once the child is two or older).

Little Warrior Childcare 2026-2027 Preschool Information Packet Step-by-Step Registration Guide Little Warrior Childcare information can be found on page 3 of the packet.Early Childhood Programming will not be held at Riverside Elementary in the 2026-2027 school year. Brainerd Public Schools Community Education is proud to offer Little Warriors Childcare, a collaboration between CHILD CARE and SCHOOL READINESS PRESCHOOL. Children will spend part of their day in Little Warriors Childcare and the other part in a School Readiness classroom. Little Warrior Child Care provides: *Convenience for families*Childcare is available for 3 years old to Pre-Kindergarten who are potty-trained*Flexible drop off and pick up times*Aligned curriculum so children receive enhanced learning around social, emotional, and academic development during the daily schedule.*Well-trained childcare staff that bring skills and knowledge that enhance each program.*Once a child has completed their final year of preschool, they would then be eligible to attend Fun & Friends School Age Care the summer before Kindergarten through 8th grade.Little Warrior Childcare services families and children at Nisswa Elementary School, Riverside Elementary (new site for 2026-2027 school year) and the Warrior Early Learning Center. The Little Warrior Childcare Handbook contains our childcare's policies and procedures. Hours of Operation: 7:00 AM to 5:30 PM ●Half Day Childcare for students attending 1/2 day preschool: Child care on scheduled class days between 7:00 AM–5:30 PM when your child is enrolled in a half day M–Th, M/W or T/Th School Readiness class. Part of the day the child would be in their school readiness classroom and the other part would be in childcare. District Food Service available. Cost: $30/day (4 day/week min. for M-Th, 2 day/week min. for M/W or T/Th)● M–Th Full Day Childcare for students attending Full Day preschool: Before/after childcare for your child on scheduled class days between 7:00 AM–8:00 AM and 2:45 PM–5:30 PM when enrolled in a Full Day M/W or T/Th School Readiness class. Cost: $20/day (2 day/week min.)● Non School Day: Provides child care for your child between 7:00 AM–5:30 PM on days their School Readiness class is not in session (with Monday–Friday options). Excludes major holidays. District Food Service available. Cost: $45/day County Child Care Assistance and Pathway I scholarships accepted. Child must be independently toilet trained by first day of attendance. Summer child care for summer 2026 yet to be determined. A two week notice is required for cancellation once child care service has begun. Priority given to 4 & 5 year olds without district busing options. Please note that the following are on a waitlist for the 2026-2027 school year: -Nisswa Little Warrior Childcare -WELC Little Warrior Childcare

Warrior Early Learning Center

Registration for the 2026-2027 School Year is open! 2026-2027 Preschool Information Packet **Early Childhood Programming will not be held at Riverside Elementary School during the 2026-2027 School Year. Registration Step-by-Step Guide Brainerd Public Schools’ Preschool Programs: Preparing Your Child for a Bright Future! Brainerd Public Schools take pride in investing in our youngest learners and in preparing children and families for success in school. We have a variety of preschool options serving 2 ½- 5 year olds. Our preschool program prepares children to enter school by focusing learning around classroom routines and procedures, social and emotional development and academic development. A Four Star Parent Aware Rated Program! Our preschool programs have earned a four-star rating from Minnesota’s Parent Aware- the highest rating possible! The Parent Aware rating system helps parents find preschools and childcare programs focused on high quality early learning and kindergarten readiness. Our Staff: All of our classrooms are staffed by licensed Early Childhood teachers and include a qualified teaching assistant. Many on our classrooms also have a licensed Early Childhood Special Education teacher as part of the teaching team, making our staff to student ratio lower than the state recommended average. Our Curriculum: *Frog Street Pre-K is a research-based curriculum organized around 9 thematic units integrating literacy, math, science, social studies, social-emotional connections, STEAM, technology, assessment, and family engagement. *Pyramid Model innovations focuses on improving the social, emotional and behavioral outcomes of young children birth to 5. *Second Step helps young learners harness their energy and potential by teaching them self-regulation skills to help them listen, pay attention, manage their behavior and get along with others.*Handwriting Without Tears uses music, movement and manipulatives to help teach students correct grip, letter formation and placement.*Gross Motor play is built into our preschool schedule each day whether it be gym time, playground time or even yoga and dancing in the classroom. Students at our WELC location participate in a Motor Lab at least once a week designed by Physical & Occupations Therapists from the Paul Bunyan Co-op. Please note that the following classes are CURRENTLY ON A WAITLIST for the 2026-2027 School Year: -All classes at Nisswa Elementary -WELC (including VPK): *Mon/Wed Full Day classes *Tu/Thu Full Day classes *M-Th Morning classes Click here to schedule your child's early childhood screening.

Registration for the 2026-2027 School Year is open! 2026-2027 Preschool Information Packet **Early Childhood Programming will not be held at Riverside Elementary School during the 2026-2027 School Year. Registration Step-by-Step Guide Brainerd Public Schools’ Preschool Programs: Preparing Your Child for a Bright Future! Brainerd Public Schools take pride in investing in our youngest learners and in preparing children and families for success in school. We have a variety of preschool options serving 2 ½- 5 year olds. Our preschool program prepares children to enter school by focusing learning around classroom routines and procedures, social and emotional development and academic development. A Four Star Parent Aware Rated Program! Our preschool programs have earned a four-star rating from Minnesota’s Parent Aware- the highest rating possible! The Parent Aware rating system helps parents find preschools and childcare programs focused on high quality early learning and kindergarten readiness. Our Staff: All of our classrooms are staffed by licensed Early Childhood teachers and include a qualified teaching assistant. Many on our classrooms also have a licensed Early Childhood Special Education teacher as part of the teaching team, making our staff to student ratio lower than the state recommended average. Our Curriculum: *Frog Street Pre-K is a research-based curriculum organized around 9 thematic units integrating literacy, math, science, social studies, social-emotional connections, STEAM, technology, assessment, and family engagement. *Pyramid Model innovations focuses on improving the social, emotional and behavioral outcomes of young children birth to 5. *Second Step helps young learners harness their energy and potential by teaching them self-regulation skills to help them listen, pay attention, manage their behavior and get along with others.*Handwriting Without Tears uses music, movement and manipulatives to help teach students correct grip, letter formation and placement.*Gross Motor play is built into our preschool schedule each day whether it be gym time, playground time or even yoga and dancing in the classroom. Students at our WELC location participate in a Motor Lab at least once a week designed by Physical & Occupations Therapists from the Paul Bunyan Co-op. Please note that the following classes are CURRENTLY ON A WAITLIST for the 2026-2027 School Year: -All classes at Nisswa Elementary -WELC (including VPK): *Mon/Wed Full Day classes *Tu/Thu Full Day classes *M-Th Morning classes Click here to schedule your child's early childhood screening.