Preschool
Mission Statement
The mission of the Gateway Regional School District Integrated Preschool programs is to provide safe and challenging learning experiences for a diverse student population in a language rich environment accessible to all children.
The Integrated Preschool Programs provide innovative services to children through a high quality integrated classroom program in a developmentally appropriate educational setting that fosters the growth of each child supporting social/emotional, physical, cognitive, and language development.
Program Description
The Gateway Regional School District's Integrated Preschool Programs serve both children with and without disabilities. All programs provide high-quality, language-based, and developmentally appropriate early childhood experiences that comply with guidelines from the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). The Preschools join children ages three and four that have special education needs with peer partners. The purpose of this collaboration is to support children with developmental delays while they learn skills from their peer partners and encourage peer partners to discover and accept diverse ability levels. The goals of the program are to help all children to develop independence, use language to share ideas, express feelings and solve problems and to build muscle through active play, to express themselves creatively through art, music, and movement, and to acquire the pre-academic readiness skills needed for kindergarten.
Classrooms are play based and divided into centers such as: dramatic play, blocks, puzzles/manipulatives, art/writing, texture table, library, science, etc. During circle time teachers introduce new concepts and review previously learned information including the calendar, schedule, weather, songs and stories. There are times for free play and structured activities. Instruction takes place in small and large group settings. The children go outside daily, weather permitting; each preschool site has a safe, fenced-in early childhood playground.
Preschool FAQs
- Does my 4 year old automatically get a full day slot?
- How old does my child need to be?
- If my child is already enrolled in 1/2 day preschool, do I get preference to be in the full day preschool?
- What if my child doesn't get a space in the preschool?
- Do I need to live in the district?
- Does my child need to be toilet trained?
- What is the cost?
- Is there bussing available?
- Where are the preschools located?
- What are the hours?
- What if I have concerns about my child's development?