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Preschool Application Process

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.

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.

2024-2025 INTEGRATED PRESCHOOL SESSIONS

The ECEC’s integrated preschool provides a number of full and half day sessions in two, three, and five day per week configurations. 

2024 - 2025 School Year Sessions

3 Year Old Sessions

4 Year Old Sessions

2 full days (Tues & Thurs)  

3 full days (Mon-Wed- Fri)

3 full days (Mon - Wed - Fri) 

5 full days (Mon - Fri)

5 ½ AM days (Mon - Fri) ** 

5 ½ AM days (Mon - Fri)**

**½ day PM sessions may be added in the winter/spring based on the needs of students

PRESCHOOL SESSION TIMES

Full-day sessions start at 8:45 AM - 2:45 PM

Half days morning sessions run from 8:45 AM - 11:15 AM                               

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.

Contact Us

To learn more about the Integrated Preschool Program:

Diana Parr

Educational Team Leader at the ECEC

 diparr@dedham.k12.ma.us

781.310.8014


Question on the Application Process or Waitlist:

Carmel Kerrigan

ECEC Secretary

ckerrigan@dedham.k12.ma.us

781-310-8000

 

APPLICATION PROCESS

Families and caregivers may submit applications for the ECEC integrated preschool program in November.

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. 

ECEC Integrated Preschool FAQ