About The ECEC Integrated PreSchool Program
-
The Dedham Public Schools operates an integrated preschool program at the Curran Early Childhood Education Center. The program is designed to meet the needs of children between the ages of three and five who may exhibit delays in one or more areas of development. The integrated preschool classroom model includes enrollment opportunities for students who do not require special education support, creating the opportunity for our students with special needs to learn alongside age-like peers.
All preschool teachers at the ECEC hold dual licensure with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) in early childhood education and special education. This ensures that all preschool educators have the skills and expertise to facilitate an integrated learning experience that benefits all children.
The integrated preschool curriculum is aligned to the Massachusetts Early Childhood Learning Guidelines. Instructional focus areas include language development, social development, and physical development of fine and gross motor skills. Some students also receive occupational and physical therapy, speech and language services, and other services.. Depending on students' identified areas of need, additional support may be necessary to support their learning and growth.
2024 - 2025 School Year Sessions
-
The ECEC’s integrated preschool provides a number of full and half day sessions in two, three, and five day per week configurations.
**½ day PM sessions may be added in the winter/spring based on the needs of students
3 Year Old Sessions- 2 full days (Tues & Thurs)
- 3 full days (Mon - Wed - Fri)
- 5 ½ AM days (Mon - Fri) **
4 Year Old Sessions
- 3 full days (Mon-Wed- Fri)
- 5 full days (Mon - Fri)
- 5 ½ AM days (Mon - Fri)**
PRESCHOOL SESSION TIMES
Full-day sessions start at 8:45 AM - 2:45 PM
Half-day morning sessions run from 8:45 AM - 11:15 AM
2024-2025 Program Tuition
-
Preschool tuition is set annually by the Dedham School Committee.
- 2 Full days $3,497.00 yearly
- 3 Full days $5,246.00 yearly
- 5 Full days $8,742.00 yearly
- 5 Half AM or PM days $4,372.00 yearly
*A $75.00 non-refundable registration fee is due once your child has secured a placement.
AGE AND DEVELOPMENTAL REQUIREMENTS
-
3 Year Old Sessions
Must be three (3) years old on or before September 1st of the coming school year
Must be fully toilet trained and display developmentally appropriate speech/language, social, and play skills.4 Year Old Sessions
Must be four (4) years old on or before September 1st of the coming school year
Must be fully toilet trained and display developmentally appropriate speech/language, social, and play skills.
Preschool Application Process
-
The integrated preschool has a limited number of tuition-based preschool spaces available each school year. Families with preschool aged children who are fully toilet-trained and display developmentally appropriate speech/language, social, and play skills may apply for a space in the ECEC preschool program. Applications are reviewed in December and families are randomly selected by the ECEC for registration and enrollment in early January.
Families and caregivers may submit applications for the ECEC integrated preschool program between November 15th, 2023 and December 15th, 2023.
Once the application window closes, ECEC faculty and staff compile and review applications. In early January, the ECEC will conduct an enrollment screening. Students who are developmentally ready for preschool are eligible for available slots. The ECEC will conduct a random assignment of applicants to available seats in the integrated preschool program and use the random assignment process to generate a waitlist. Applicants who are not selected for a seat in January are placed on the waitlist. Enrollments generally fluctuate between January and the start of the following school year. If seats become available, families on the waitlist will be contacted in order of random assignment to the waitlist.
Families may apply using the online application or by downloading and printing the paper application - both linked here.
Paper applications may be submitted via email to Carmel Kerrigan at ckerrigan@dedham.k12.ma.us or via mail to:
Carmel Kerrigan
RE: Preschool Application
1100 High Street
Dedham, MA 02026
Frequently Asked Questions About The Preschool Program & Application Process
-
How can I obtain more information about the integrated preschool program?
Please contact Dianna Parr, Educational Team Leader at the ECEC. You can reach her via email at diparr@dedham.k12.ma.us or phone 781.310.8014
-
Is before/after care available to students in ECEC preschool programs?
Children 4 and older may access before and after school care.
Once a student turns 4, families can contact Mrs. Brenda McMurtry the Childcare Coordinator to see if there are any available spaces or to be placed on a waiting list.
781-310-8029
-
Is there an advantage to submitting an application early?
There is no advantage to submitting an application early.
-
Why did the process for applying for preschool at the ECEC change?
The District has made minor adjustments to the application process for the 2024 - 2025 school year. These adjustments include (1) a slight delay in the start of the process from November 1st to November 15th and (2) the cessation of a public lottery system for conducting selections for available seats. These adjustments are primarily a function of the District’s obligations under state and federal law to locate, evaluate, and provide services to preschool aged children with disabilities. These adjustments ensure that the District meets these statutory obligations and, more importantly, is able to provide appropriate services to Dedham’s youngest learners.
-
How old must a child be to participate in the integrated preschool program?
For the ECEC three-year-old program, a child must be three years old on or before September 1st of the coming school year. Similarly, for the four-year-old program, a child must be four years old on or before September 1st of the coming school year.
-
Is preference given to siblings of existing ECEC students?
No preference given.
-
If my child secures a placement, do I automatically get my choice of preschool program for my child?
No. The preschool application form asks families to select and prioritize two preschool program options that are most desirable.
If selected for enrollment, placement in one of the ECEC’s integrated preschool programs is a function of (1) the number and configuration of preschool programs available for the coming school year and (2) the number of available seats in each session.
-
If a child is accepted through the lottery as a three-year-old, must that same child re-apply through the lottery system for the following year?
No, any three-year-old who continues in the ECEC integrated preschool program will be provided enrollment for the following school year.
-
What happens if my child’s name is NOT selected ?
Families who apply for the ECEC’s integrated preschool program and do not receive a program seat in January will be placed on a wait list. Should seats become available beyond January, families on the waitlist will be contacted.
-
If you have so many applicants for your programs, why wouldn’t you just create more preschool sections to accommodate them?
Creating and expanding preschool programs is constrained by the physical space available at the ECEC. Local public schools are required to provide kindergarten programming and preschool programming for children with identified disabilities.
This year 12 of the ECEC’s 18 classrooms are occupied by the kindergarten program and 6 classrooms are occupied by the integrated preschool program.
Increasing preschool enrollment would occupy classrooms that must be used for kindergarten.
-
What is DELTA?
DELTA is a preschool program located in Dedham High School. This program provides early learning and childcare services primarily for the children of Dedham’s faculty and staff. Annually there are a limited number of seats available in the DELTA program for Dedham residents. DELTA is open (school year only) from 7:00 AM - 4:00 PM.
-
What is the process to be placed at DELTA?
Once we have filled our 5 full day lottery placements at the ECEC we will submit the next names on the waiting list to DELTA for placement in their program. (Only if you indicate yes on the application). DELTA goes by the same waiting list as ECEC.
If you do not indicate an interest in DELTA we will not submit your child’s name to DELTA and you will remain on the ECEC waiting list. You do have the right to refuse a DELTA placement and remain on the ECEC waiting list.
Any questions regarding the waiting list please contact Mrs. Kerrigan at ckerrigan@dedham.k12.ma.us
ADDITIONAL SERVICES AT THE ECEC
-
In addition to integrated preschool classrooms, the ECEC also offers two highly specialized programs for children on the autism spectrum and for children with complex medical, neurological, and learning needs.
The Early Childhood Center offers a continuum of options to address students' presenting and sometimes changing needs. Services services include:
-
Pre-referral observations, consultations and screenings
-
Consultation with parents/guardians and staff working with children in area preschools and daycare centers
-
Referral and consultation with other agencies providing services to young children with special needs
-
Systematic transition from Early Intervention Services
-
Special Education Evaluations
-
Preparation and support for transitions to Dedham Elementary Schools
-
