Story circles, snack time, tempera paints — these memories of preschool days are now available to more students in the Iowa City School District.

The Statewide Voluntary Preschool Program, which allows 4-year-olds to attend preschool without charge, has expanded this fall to include an initiative at Wood Elementary, 1930 Lakeside Drive.

Since the district first received funding for the 2007-08 school year, the program has expanded to include more children.

In addition to the Wood Elementary program started this school year, School Board members are considering adding at least two more sites next year, said Associate Superintendent Jim Behle. The development would expand the district’s initiative by 40 to 60 more students.

Handicare, one of the initial batch of preschools to participate, began educating 20 children through the state funding. It now accommodates 60, said Handicare Director Ann Brownsberger.

Ben Kratz said that two years ago, his family was unable to send his second son to preschool.

This year, Kratz’s daughter, Claire, attends the Handicare program.

In order to continue receiving funds, the schools must meet a set of requirements. One such requirement is a home visit by the teachers, through which they create a dialogue with parents.

“We meet the kids and parents and discuss their fears and questions,” said Handicare teacher Erin Anderson, or Miss Erin, as her preschool charges call her.

“One little boy dressed up for me. He put on a dress and high heels,” Anderson said, describing the home visit. “It helped me become more comfortable [with the kids]. And parents would tell me what their children already knew. It let me know where to begin.”

Officials said research has shown early education can help students form skills that will assist them educationally, economically and socially.

“Most people think of kindergarten readiness skills as pre-academic,” Brownsberger said. “But really we prepare them to be learners — to be part of a group, to ask for help when they need it, to negotiate amongst themselves, to be able to sit through circle time and attend to a story.”

The statewide program is a four-year initiative to provide preschool education for children from low-income families. New districts are added each year. This summer, Gov. Chet Culver announced the addition of 53 more school districts to the program, an addition that brings preschool education to 3,247 more children across the state.

Each year, the state government adds roughly $15 million to distribute to a new slate of districts, Behle said. By 2010-2011, all the districts in Iowa will be included and the total budget should be approximately $60 million.

Officials said it is too early to determine if the program is producing positive results, but the Iowa Legislature is working on extending the program to include five-year-olds.

“Some kids are not ready to enter into kindergarten when they turn five,” said Rep. Mary Mascher, D-Iowa City. “They would benefit from one more year of preschool. Under the current program their parents would have to pay, which can be cost prohibitive. We are working on including these students in the program.”

Mascher said there are thoughts to include similar programs for 3-year olds, as states such as Illinois have done.