Preschool Program

In the Greenwich Public Schools Preschool Program we recognize that each child develops at his or her own natural pace. We nurture this natural progression of development and provide each child with opportunities for growth at each developmental stage.

The Greenwich Public Schools (GPS) Integrated Preschool Program provides instruction to children with identified special needs alongside their typically developing peers. The program was developed 50 years ago in alignment with special education laws to provide free and appropriate public education for preschool students with identified disabilities (FAPE). Best practice in early childhood education tells us that children with special education needs learn best from their typically developing peers. Our experience working in an inclusive setting tells us that all children benefit from learning together! The teachers in the GPS preschool classes are dually certified by the State of Connecticut in both Special Education and General Education. Our team of specialists include psychologists, speech language pathologists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, and Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBA) work collaboratively with our classroom staff. The GPS Integrated Preschool Program is a structured, center-based program, where each child participates in instructional activities/experiences, which address the areas of communication, cognition, self-help, fine/gross motor and social emotional development (CT ELDS). 

• The Greenwich Public Schools Integrated Preschool Program targets instruction for children with identified special needs alongside their typically developing peers. 
• The GPS Integrated Preschool Program was developed 50 years ago in alignment with special education laws to provide free and appropriate public education for preschool students.
• Our teachers are duly certified by the State of Connecticut in both Special Education and General Education.
• The Greenwich Public Schools Integrated Preschool Program is a structured, center-based program, where each child participates in instructional activities/experiences, which address the areas of communication, cognition, self-help, fine/gross motor and social emotional development.

The GPS Integrated preschool program adheres to the Connecticut Early Learning Development Standards that promote:

• Equity for all children, through setting high, but appropriate, expectations;
• High quality early learning experiences, by providing clear goals and trajectories for learning;
• Provision of individual support, based on each child’s growth and development; 
• Families’s understanding of what their children are learning and  how they can support them;     
• Teachers’ understanding of age-appropriate content and approaches to children’s learning, and;
• Communication across sectors, based upon these common goals for children. 

(Taken from, https://www.ctoec.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/CT-ELDS-Main-2014.pdf)
 

HOW TO APPLY TO THE GPS PRESCHOOL PROGRAM

Age Eligibility for Students

Students who will turn three years old but will NOT turn five years old by January 1st of the following year are eligible to apply for entrance to the GPS Preschool Program. The GPS Preschool follows state guidelines for kindergarten entrance the year that the student reaches their fifth birthday. 

Absences

If your child is going to be absent, please notify your child’s teacher via email/phone.  Please follow all school procedures outlined in the elementary school parent handbook for notifying the nurse of health concerns or doctors notes. Ten consecutive absences may result in withdrawal from the GPS Preschool Program. Notification will be sent as a result of excessive absences.

Tardiness

An important aspect of your child’s learning involves routines. It is important that your child arrives on time each day in order to effectively support their social-emotional and academic learning.

Health/Illness

Determining whether a child will be sent home due to illness will be at the discretion of the school nurse at each site. Refer to the Greenwich Public School’s website for details regarding when a child is required to stay home due to illness. Children may return to school when:

• Temperature is normal for 24 hrs. after stopping Tylenol or Ibuprofen
• Diarrhea &/or vomiting has stopped for 24 hrs.
• Rash has been seen by M.D. (must bring note to school nurse)
• 24 hrs. after starting antibiotics 

Based on the Connecticut Department of Public Health guidelines, children enrolled in a preschool program are required to receive a flu shot by December 31st or they may not return to school for the duration of the flu season.

Parents, pediatricians, community preschools and/or the Connecticut Birth to 3 program may initiate a preschool referral to the special education process.  The referrals are directed to the Preschool Evaluation team who initiates and oversees the information gathering process. Referrals to this process may be made throughout the school year. Team decisions regarding evaluation, eligibility, and recommendations for appropriate educational programming and placement are determined at Planning and Placement Team (PPT) meetings.  Parents are important members of the PPT process.  Once a student is determined eligible to receive Special Education services, an Individualized Education Program (IEP), developed and educational programming determined.

Parent/Caregiver Workshops

Preschool staff members offer Family Workshops and Parent Chats  that focus on behavior management, caregiver–child communication and strategies to assist caregivers to more effectively support their child’s learning within the home environment. Specific information will be provided and sent home to caregivers when the workshops and parent chats are scheduled.

Daily Schedule

Each child’s individual needs are considered in daily program planning. Classroom schedules will be shared through the preschool teacher at the beginning of each school year.

An example:

• Table Time
• Morning Meeting
• Snack
• Center Time
• Outside/Recess
• Lunch
• Read Aloud
• Dismissal

**Students eligible for Special Education services may have individual schedules that differ from the class. These schedules may include: Speech Language support, Occupation Therapy, Behavioral Support, and/or Physical Therapy. The classroom teacher will share the individual student’s schedule to the family at the beginning of the school year.

Toileting

Independent toileting and self help skills are strongly encouraged when entering the preschool program. When entering our program it is important to communicate your child’s level of training in order to ensure carry over of skills from home to school.  If your child is not toilet trained, pull ups, wipes, and gloves will need to be provided to the school.

Clothing

Each day children should wear comfortable, washable play clothes to school. Sneakers or rubber-soled shoes are recommended for classroom and outdoor play. If your child wears snow boots to school please send shoes in their backpack.

We spend a part of each day outside (weather permitting), running, jumping, and climbing.  Please do not send your child with necklaces and sharp jewelry as they may pose a safety hazard during active play.  Please dress your child according to the weather with appropriate outerwear.  Mittens, hats, snow pants, boots and scarves should be clearly labeled with your child’s name.  For safety please be sure that mittens, hats and jackets do not have hanging strings.

Before the school year begins, your child’s teacher will communicate the supplies they will need for the school year. This may include a change of clothing, diaper and wipes if applicable, daily snack, a backpack large enough for a lunch box and folder, and/or various school supplies. At that time the teacher will communicate arrival and dismissal routines specific to the school your child will be attending.

In order to provide the receiving Kindergarten team with the most updated academic information related to the incoming student, please complete the K profile.  The information should be emailed directly to the assistant principals at the receiving elementary school no later than April 28, 2023.  Please see the table below for the name and email address for each of the assistant principals.  Should you have any questions about the student's home school, please refer to the GPS School Finder.