The Friendly House Preschool boasts one of the oldest programs in Mansfield, providing the first free Kindergarten all the way back in 1918, and establishing permanently in 1950. Since then, the Preschool program has flourished and grown into a successful place for children ages 3-5 to learn at their own pace through educational lessons and play as they prepare for Kindergarten.
The center is open Monday through Friday from 6:30 A.M. – 6:00 P.M. Through the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), the United Way of Richland County and donors from our community, breakfast, a nourishing lunch, and afternoon snack are provided. Children participate in preschool classes as well as indoor/outdoor play and swimming lessons. Field trips are also scheduled. Not only does Friendly House provide hot nutritious meals, but we also provide a safe and stable environment in which each child learns social, physical and academic skills, which enhance their family life. The children enrolled in the Preschool are learning at a young age appropriate behaviors and morals that will enhance their life as they get older.
Friendly House offers Co-Preschool Administrators. In the Preschool there are two full-time instructors (one of which is a Co-Preschool Administrator) and three part-time instructors. Ms. Monica, in the Friendly House Preschool has decades of experience. After graduating from Ohio State University with a degree in Family Relations and Human Development, Ms. Monica began her career working with children and families in foster care and family court settings in Florida. She discovered her place in education and has spent the past eighteen years teaching middle school Social Studies and most recently elementary special education. She is working on a Master’s Degree in Special Education from OSU. Ms. Sarah has been with Friendly House for over 15 years and is our other Co-Preschool Administrator, has a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education. The caring, experienced teachers in our Preschool, provide quality social, cognitive, physical and emotional growth through a variety of learning activities. All activities are balanced by age appropriateness and inspire creativity in a safe, clean and clutter-free atmosphere.
You will receive a Preschool Parent Handbook at the time of enrollment. You may also view or print the parent handbook at this link: Preschool Parent Handbook.
Upcoming Events:
Preschool Open House – August 29, 2025
1st Day of School – September 2, 2025
Friendly House is a GOLD RATED program through the Ohio Department of Children and Youth (ODCY) Step Up To Quality (SUTQ) program. Step Up To Quality is a quality rating and improvement system administered by the ODCY. SUTQ recognizes and promotes learning and development programs that meet quality program standards that exceed preschool licensing and school age child care licensing health and safety regulations. Step Up To Quality program standards are based on national research identifying standards which lead to improved outcomes for children.
To Begin the Enrollment Process: Follow this link and complete the Preschool/Daycare Interest Form. You will be contacted within three days. Completing the Preschool/Daycare Interest Form does not guarantee enrollment into any program.
For more information on Preschool enrollment, eligibility and costs, please call 419-522-5570 or contact the Co-Preschool Administrator, Ms. Monica.
2025-26 Friendly House Preschool Parent Handbook
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USDA Non-Discrimination Statement
In accordance with federal civil rights law and USDA civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its agencies, offices, employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the state or local agency that administers the program or contact USDA through the Telecommunications Relay Service at 711 (voice and TTY). Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.
To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at How to File a Program Discrimination Complaint and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:
- Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Mail Stop 9410, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;
- Fax: (202) 690-7442; or
- Email: program.intake@usda.gov.
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
Updated: July 09, 2025