Thatcher Brook Primary School preschool registration opens March 3
February 27, 2021 | By Denise Goodnow
Preschoolers at Thatcher Brook Primary School this year have continued in-person classes with COVID-19 protocols such as masks and small group sizes. Photo courtesy TBPS.
It’s that time of year again to begin to think about preschool for your 3- or 4-year-old.
Many options exist for preschool in the greater Waterbury area. Preschool choice is available throughout the state of Vermont. According to Act 166, you can elect for your child to attend any preschool in Vermont that meets state standards (the state maintains a list of all pre-qualified programs) and the town of residence will pay for up to 10 hours per week of this programming.
You must let us know if your intention is to access this funding for a program other than Thatcher Brook Primary School so that we can ensure the proper paperwork is completed. Here is the link for all pre-qualified programs on the HUUSD website.
The TBPS Preschool Program is based on a developmental approach to early childhood education. The preschool curriculum is designed to meet the developmental needs of children. Play is the primary means of encouraging skill development for children ages three to five. Children learn by doing and by observing what happens when they interact with materials and other people.
Because each child develops and learns at their own rate, new skills are acquired when the child is ready. The preschool program is built around the children’s interests, with a balance between child-directed projects and teacher-guided activities. Opportunities for social interaction help children learn to handle their feelings in acceptable, socially appropriate ways. When children are encouraged to make decisions for themselves, they experience a sense of control over their lives. They learn what they say and do is important and has an effect on their environment and on others.
It’s time to register for preschool for the 2021-22 school year. Your child must be born on or before September 1, 2018. Thatcher Brook Primary School has a two-day-per-week program (regular school hours) for preschoolers with busing provided. The sessions are Monday/Tuesday or Thursday /Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 2:40 p.m.
If you have registered with TBPS and your child is attending preschool, you do not need to re-register. You do however need to contact the school to inform us of your plans for the 2021-22 school year.
The online registration packet must be completed in full and include a copy of the child’s birth certificate, immunization records, and proof of residence.
The following dates are important in the preschool registration/screening process:
March 3 - Online registration opens
March 3 through April 14 - Screening materials (Ages & Stages questionnaire) mailed to parents upon completion of online registration
April 14 - Parent input google form due
April 15 - Lottery for TBPS Preschool slots
April 27 - Acceptance/rejection letters sent out for TBPS slots
May 7 - TBPS preschool slots acceptance confirmed by parents
If you have any questions please email Bonnie Flanagan bflanagan@huusd.org or Michele Ballard mballard@huusd.org or call them at the school main office 244-7195.
Denise Goodnow is principal at Thatcher Brook Primary School.