Philosophy and Mission

The Medway Public Schools Integrated Preschool Program, in partnership with family and community, recognizes and respects the whole child and his/her individual differences.  Our mission is to provide a learning environment that is safe and healthy for young children.  The program is dedicated to helping children optimize their growth in areas of social/emotional, cognitive and physical development in an inclusive environment.

Program

Our inclusive preschool serves typically developing children as well as children with identified special needs.  The program is language-based where language development is supported and enhanced through songs, stories, music, dramatic play, crafts, and other activities.  The classes meet 4 days/week: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.

Morning Session:       8:45 – 11:15
Afternoon Session:   12:15 – 2:45

Each classroom has a maximum of 15 children with a teacher and a minimum of one assistant.

Screening

A “Child Find Process” is developed by every public school in order to identify those children in need of special education support.  The Medway Public Schools uses preschool screening as the first step in the process.  Children participate in the screening either as part of their enrollment into the program or by parent/teacher/pediatrician referral.  The team determines eligibility for the program as a student with special needs.  Parents who have questions or concerns about their 3 or 4 year old child’s development may request a screening by writing to the Preschool Coordinator, Jan Haskins at the Burke School, 16 Cassidy Lane, Medway, MA 02053.  Currently, screenings are held the last Wednesday of the month.

Lottery and Registration

For children with no identified special needs, program placement is determined by a lottery system that takes place in January.  Children must be 3 years old by September 1 and residents of Medway to be eligible.  A waiting list is established.  If openings become available, they are filled sequentially from this list.  Children who are in the 3-year-old program may return the following year.

Staff

The preschool staff is highly qualified.  Teachers are certified in both Special Education and Early Childhood Development, with several years of teaching experience.  Teaching assistants are well trained.  We are fortunate to have specialists in the area of speech pathology, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and counseling.  These specialists work in our classrooms, in therapy rooms, and on the playground.  They consult with teachers and parents, enriching our program for all.

Curriculum

To provide a pre-school environment that:

• Supports the developmental needs of all the children through safe, nurturing, stimulating and enjoyable activities.

• Is designed for active involvement.

• Provided stimulating activities, materials and equipment which promote educational goals through concrete learning.

• Is structured to support the variety of learning needs of children.

• Is designed to help children gain social, emotional, communication, physical and intellectual skills.

• Contains daily routines which are flexible but predictable.

• Includes expressive activities such as dramatic play, art, music and movement.

• provide opportunities to work on independent decision making, group cooperation, conflict resolution, effective self expression, self-help skill

  • Development and classroom responsibility.

• Offers opportunity for parental input.

• Develops goals that are adapted to meet individual needs.

The Charles River Community Partnership for Children (CRCP)

As a member of CRCP, we are able to offer parent training workshops and limited tuition reimbursement to qualified working families.  For more information, please contact CRCP.

charlesrivercpc@verizon.net
508-376-2327

Medway Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, sexual orientation or disabilities