Pre-School Support
Pre-School Support Program
Windham Central Supervisory Union is starting a new program for families with preschoolers in the West River Valley towns of Jamaica, Wardsboro, and Townshend. The Preschool Support Program is funded by a state/federal Preschool Expansion Grant. Through this program, families with preschoolers can get help with a variety of needs.
The preschool support worker can help families…
- receive beneficial screenings for their child (hearing, vision, dental, health and developmental)
- connect to community resources for help with things like housing, food, etc.
- coordinate/pay for transportation to and from appointments or preschool
In order to be eligible for the Preschool Support Program this coming fall, a child must be 4 years old by September 1st and as mentioned above, be living in Jamaica, Wardsboro, or Townshend. They do not need to be enrolled or planning on enrolling in preschool in order to be eligible, though the program does happen during the school year. This program has income guidelines, but they are broader than the free and reduced lunch program guidelines.
This Preschool Support Program also sponsors family and parent events that are open to all families with preschool-aged children in the three towns. Look for information on these events under the family events subpage on this site.
The goal of this program is to help support families so that their children can start elementary school off on the right foot.
If you are interested in signing up for the Preschool Support Program or just want more information, please feel free to contact:
Kristine Sweeter
(802) 368-7830 / 368-7506
ksweeter@windhamcentral.org
Act 166 FAQ
Windham Central Supervisory Union supports Publicly Funded Prekindergarten under Act 166 for children between the ages of 3 and 5
We strongly encourage registrations to be completed for the 2016-2017 school by October 1, 2016
Q: What is publicly funded prekindergarten education?
Publicly funded pre-kindergarten education is defined as:
Ten hours per week of developmentally appropriate early development and learning experiences that are based on Vermont’s Early Learning Standards.
Children who reside in Brookline, Jamaica, Marlboro, Newfane, Townshend, Stratton and Wardsboro and are between the ages of 3-5 are eligible. The 35 weeks of pre-kindergarten education are limited to the academic year September 2016-June 2017.
Q: Where are these publicly funded prekindergarten programs?
The publicly funded prekindergarten programs are located in community private early care and education programs that meet specific quality standards. The community early care and education programs that Windham Central Supervisory Union School District currently partners with, but are not limited to:
The Dover School
The Mountain School at Winhall
West River Montessori
The Garland School
Neighborhood Schoolhouse
Winston Prouty
Hilltop Montessori
Sunny Lane Daycare
The Meetinghouse School
Timson Hill Preschool
Windham Central Supervisory Union has tuition free publicly funded prekindergarten for 4 year olds in three sites: Jamaica, Townshend and Wardsboro.
The Dover School offers publicly funded prekindergarten for 3 & 4 year olds.
You can find out information about other providers through "Bright Futures Childcare Information System."
Q: Is this 10 hour/week prekindergarten program tuition free?
Yes. 10 hours a week for 35 weeks will be fully funded under Act 166. If families opt to keep their child in a program beyond the ten hours, families would continue to be charged fully for whatever care and education program the child needs beyond the 10 hours/week during the academic year.
Q: Is my child eligible for publicly funded prekindergarten?
If your child is 3 or 4 years or 5 years old by September 1, 2016 and resides in Brookline, Jamaica, Marlboro, Newfane, Townshend, Stratton, Wardsboro then your child is eligible to participate.
Q: How do I apply?
Families should enroll their child at the elementary school in their town of residence AND complete the Windham Central Supervisory Union Registration Form and submit to the preschool that your child will attend.
Q: Who do I call if I have more questions?
If you need further assistance regarding Act 166, please call your local elementary school district.
Note: Stratton families should contact the Stratton Town Office 896-6184.