Thank you for your interest in the Integrated Preschool. All 2024-2025 spots have been filled through the lottery process on Febraury 5th, 2024.
Successful applicants will receive an acceptance letter and packet on February 6th by email.
For those accepted to the program, you can also find the Integrated Preschool Registration packet here.
Preschool Registration Packet
General Information
The Hingham Public Schools Integrated Preschool is for both special education students and community peers.
We use the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks to inform our play-based instruction, preparing children for Kindergarten and beyond.
The program follows the typical school year beginning in September and ending in June.
FAQ
The lottery is on February 5th at Town Hall.
You will be asked to choose one of the programs so that one of the seats can be opened up for another family.
All families should add their names to the lottery. The district is required to provide programming for children with disabilities aged 3 and 4 so there is a program seat for your child.
– Kids in Action is approved by the Department of Early Education and Care. Teachers all hold Bachelor’s Degrees and are certified by Early Childhood and Care.
– The Integrated Preschool/Prekindergarten classrooms are certified by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education as PreK-2 Teachers. The classrooms are integrated with some students with disabilities and students serve as peers.
– The curriculum for both programs is similar and follows the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks in literacy, math, science, and social studies.
Students enrolled in the Kids in Action will have a preference for the after-school program from 2-6 PM. Families in the Integrated Preschool/Pre Kindergarten can request to be placed on the waiting list for the 2-6 PM program.
The lottery will give preference to families with siblings in the program.
Yes, students already enrolled in the program will get preference for a seat for the following school year.
Yes, these are separate programs. If you would like to be considered for both, please fill out both applications. Find the applications above.
Integrated Preschool Programs
Integrated Preschool Programs | Location | Ages | Days | Hours | Tuition |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2 Half Days | East Elementary School | 3 yr. olds | Tuesday, Thursday | 8:50 AM – 11:20 AM | $2,500 |
3 Half Days | East Elementary School | 3 yr. olds | Monday, Wednesday, Friday | 8:50 AM – 11:20 AM | $3,500 |
5 Half Days | East Elementary School | 4 yr. olds | Monday-Friday | 11:50 – 2:20 PM | $6,300 |
5 Full Days | East Elementary School | 4 yr. olds | Monday-Friday | 8:50 AM – 2:20 PM | $11,250 |
Multi-Age Full Day | Foster Elementary School | 3-4 yr. olds | Monday-Friday | 8:30 AM – 2:00 PM | $11,250 |
Kids In Action Preschool Programs
Kids In Action Programs | Location | Ages | Days | Hours | Tuition |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Full Day Preschool | Foster Elementary School | 3 yr. olds | Monday-Friday | 8:30 AM – 2:00 PM | $11,250 |
Full Day Pre-Kindergarten | Foster Elementary School | 4 yr. olds | Monday-Friday | 8:30 AM – 2:00 PM | $11,250 |
Full Day Spanish Immersion Pre-Kindergarten | Foster Elementary School | 4 yr. olds | Monday-Friday | 8:30 AM – 2:00 PM | $11,250 |
Full Day Pre-Kindergarten | East Elementary School | 4 yr. olds | Monday-Friday | 8:30 AM – 2:00 PM | $11,250 |
Pre-K and Preschool Extended Day Options | East Elementary School and Foster Elementary School | 3-4 yr. olds | Varied | 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM | Preschool and Pre-K & 2 Days After School $12,495.00 Preschool and Pre-K & 3 Days After School $13,137.00 Preschool and Pre-K & 5 Days After School $14,530.00 |
For more information on the Kids In Action Preschool programs, please visit their website.
Important Dates
Dates | Important Days |
---|---|
December 12th | Applications Open |
January 10th | Open House at East at 1:00 PM Open House at East at 6:00 PM |
January 11th | Open House at Foster at 1:00 PM Open House at Foster at 6:00 PM |
February 2nd | Application Deadline |
February 5th | Lottery |
February 6th | Notices of Acceptance |
February 15th – March 1st | Deposit and Registration Window |
March 2nd | Registration Closed |
After March 15th | Continue Recruitment for Open Spots and Register Students on a Rolling Basis |
Sample Schedule
Time | Activity |
---|---|
8:30-9:00 AM | Arrival and Center Activities |
9:00-9:30 AM | Morning Meeting |
9:30-9:45 AM | Snack |
9:45-10:45 AM | Literacy |
10:45-11:15 AM | Outside Playground |
11:15-11:45 AM | Lunch |
11:45-12:15 PM | Math Centers |
12:15-12:45 PM | Outdoor Play |
12:45-1:30 PM | End of Day Centers |
1:30-2:00 PM | Closing Circle and Dismissal |
Mission
To educate children with disabilities and community peers within a comprehensive, structured language-based program.
In alignment with the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks, the program will provide support, structure, and a respectful school environment that is necessary for children to master readiness, communication, and social/emotional standards, while also meeting the individual needs of each child.
Staff will collaborate with parents to support the children’s learning and progress. Children with disabilities are given additional support as directed by their Individualized Educational Programs (IEP). This is provided by the preschool staff and also the speech/language therapist, occupational therapist, BCBA Consultant, and physical therapist in an integrated service learning approach.
Philosophy:
The Hingham Integrated Preschool includes both typically developing children and children with special needs from the ages of 3-5. The program is language-based and activities are designed to address the appropriate developmental level of each child. Through the use of hands-on experiences, the curriculum areas of speech and language, motor development, readiness skills, social/emotional, and self-help skills are targeted. Since children have different learning styles and are at different developmental levels, each activity is adapted to the individual needs of each child.
We aim for children to participate in activities at his or her own level. We want each child to feel included and successful about him or herself. The fostering of self-esteem and the promotion of tolerance and acceptance of other people is foremost in the philosophy of the Hingham Integrated Preschool.
Expectations and Evaluation:
The children in the preschool are evaluated on an ongoing basis by teacher observation and checklists. Daily activities are planned to include every child’s level of ability. It is the goal of the preschool to provide a warm, enriching environment that not only facilitates wonderful learning opportunities, but provides a safe, nurturing atmosphere as well.
Teachers meet with parents throughout the year in Team Meetings or conferences. Children with special needs are evaluated based on their IEP goals and benchmarks, and receive progress reports twice a year in January and June. Additional conferences or home visits are scheduled as needed. Typically developing children are evaluated by teacher observation and assessments and their progress is discussed in parent/teacher conferences. A report card is given to parents in January and June.
Disability Services:
Children with disabilities receive therapies in either individual or group sessions as required by their educational programs. Since this is an integrated preschool program, therapies are incorporated into the natural classroom environment as often as possible. Therapies include speech and language, occupational therapy and physical therapy. We also have a drop-in program for children who may not qualify for the preschool program. Speech and language drop-in services are scheduled at the child’s designated elementary school.
Social-Emotional Development
A major social goal of the Integrated preschool is to ensure a positive self-image in each child. During daily activities, students are continuously reinforced through verbal praise. Children with special needs and typically developing children learn together through ongoing play and structured learning activities. These daily interactions foster the development of new skills and friendships as children also learn about sensitivity, tolerance, and patience. Children learn to accept limits and to develop behaviors appropriate to the classroom. Large and small group activities, circle games, outdoor play, and snack enable the children to form friendships. Through these same experiences, play is developed towards cooperative play.
Objectives:
1. Enhance self-esteem.
2. Foster awareness and acceptance of differences among children
3. Develop peer relationships and improve play skills.