Janet Ryan
Early Childhood Coordinator
Amherst Public Schools
280 West Street
Amherst, MA. 01002
(413) 362-1610
RyanJ@arps.org
The Early Education Center at Crocker Farm School offers 5 half day preschool classes for up to 85 three and four year old children living in Amherst and Pelham. The program services both children with special education needs and general education needs in integrated settings. There is a maximum of fifteen children in each class. General education students are selected to balance boys and girls as well as three and four year old children. Each class is staffed by a Head Teacher, an Assistant Teacher, a part time Speech and Language Therapist and other adults as indicated by the needs of each child.
The Early Education center also houses a new readiness classroom for 4 year olds who will be enrolling in the Amherst Public School Kindergarten the following year. This class offers a longer day and families must be eligible for free or reduced lunch. The class is staffed by a head teacher and 2 assistant teachers.
Children must be residents of Amherst or Pelham and a minimum of at least three years old on or before September 1st to be considered for the Amherst Early Education Center Preschool Program. Children must be 4 years old for the readiness class.
Applications for September enrollment must be completed and returned to the Early Education Center by the third week in February. Since we often have more applicants than available spaces, the selection process occurs in the last week in February for the coming school year. Before final acceptance, children are invited to spend an afternoon or morning in the program. We reserve the right to deny admittance to general education students if we feel that the child is not ready for our school. If a child attends at age three, she/he may return the following year if parents/guardians and staff concur that the program is meeting the individual child’s needs.
Program Options - We currently offer five different program options:
*Given that the extended day program meets until 1:00, the additional cost covers the extended time. Children staying until 1:00 eat lunch at school; lunch is provided from home or can be purchased through the school lunch program.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Janet Ryan, Early Education Coordinator, at (413) 362-1610. Please remember to indicate your preference for program options on the application form.
Young children in an integrated setting learn from each other. They learn developmental skills (cognitive, social/emotional, communication, fine and large muscle skills) as well as acceptance of themselves and other as unique individuals. Integrated preschool settings enable all children to participate to their fullest capacities in the mainstream of education. Special support services are provided within the classroom in a functional and relevant manner.
The classes are structured to further the total development of each child. Activities and curriculum are developed based on children’s interest and guided by the Department of Education Early Childhood Program Standards. Field trips are part of the learning process and we take advantage of the community at large to support the classroom activities. Learning takes place for children through a wide variety of play opportunities and interactions with both age level peers and adults. We enjoy sand and water play, block building, fantasy play, art projects, reading books together, singing and movement games, as well as working on puzzles, turn taking games and much more. We play outside every day (weather permitting) offering ride-on-toys, a play structures and games. Our classes are language rich environments with an emphasis on children learning to be part of a larger group given a nurturing early educational environment.
Parents/guardians are a vital part of their child’s development and education. We therefore encourage parent/guardian participation directly or indirectly in the classroom.
A pre-requisite for program participation is a special interest on the part of the parents/guardians in our educational philosophy. We hope that the parents/guardians who choose to apply do so not only because we have strong staff, beautiful facilities, and a low tuition, but also because they want their child to have the experience of being part of a program that celebrates diversity and welcomes all children.
The class begins at 8:30 and ends between 11:30- 2:15 depending on theclassroom. We ask that you follow these time limits in order to provide all children the most of each day and allow staff opportunities to plan and set up for each day. The day begins with a limited free play period followed by a circle or morning meeting. The morning meeting provides the children with opportunities to sing, develop listening and speaking skills, and to review the schedule of the day. After this meeting, the children either begin activity time or go outside to play. Outside the children are encouraged to play on the play structure, swing on the swings, ride the tricycles, take a walk with a teacher, or play a game. They often have a chance to play with children from another class.
Activity time allows children to select and participate in several choices within the classrooms. Cooking activities, art experiences, fantasy play, block building, and working with a variety of manipulative toys are some of the choices that are available at this time. Development of thinking and problem solving skills, communication, motor skills, and socialization are the focus of this time of day. We also have opportunities to expand early literacy skills through picture books, writing, and drawing opportunities. The program offers opportunities for hands on learning through science projects while also encouraging children’s powers of observation and experimentation with sand, water and other medium. Children are encouraged to ask for things, taught to resolve conflicts, and praised for sharing, turn taking, and cooperative play
Music often signals the end of activities accompanied by a clean up announcement by one of the children. This is a coveted classroom job, one of many in each classroom. All children are responsible for assisting in clean up.Every day a snack mid-morning or breakfast is offered. The children wash up prior to snack and special snack helpers assist to set out the food, drinks, cups, and placemats, offering lots of opportunities to count. Here the children learn independence while practicing pouring, spreading, cutting, and communication skills. They also help to help clean up their own snack mats.
A story time that could be a picture book, a flannel board story, or even a puppet show is part of each day. During the transition story time, the children are invited to look at one of the many beautiful books that each classroom offers. The books are changed frequently and often complement a focus or classroom theme. Schedules vary from classrooms to classroom, but each program offers all of the periods described.
Parents are encouraged to play an integral role in their child’s school experience. Teachers communicate with parents when they drop off or pick up their children, as well as by phone, communication notebooks, daily classroom logs and/or newsletters. Parents are invited to visit the classroom for observation or participation. Please make arrangements with the classroom teacher prior to a visit. Semiannual parent conferences are offered to discuss your child’s progress. Social family get togethers are held during the year. We may ask for your assistance with field trips and at other social project times during the year.
We recognize that parents have very busy lives and applaud any level of parental involvement with which you are comfortable. Please note that it is now school policy that all parents coming to the classroom to assist children or supervise a field trip will need to have a criminal background check and be approved by the school system prior to the visit.
Our policy is to discuss a child only with his/her family members and appropriate staff members.
Under state and federal law, all contents of a child’s school file are to be maintained in a secure place under supervision of a school official. Only qualified staff involved with the child’s program have access to this information. A parent has the right to see all of the contents of a child’s folder and to request amendments of any inaccuracies that exist. Records will be forwarded to another school or institution when a child moves.
Children should be dressed in clothing suitable for play, i.e. the clothes do not inhibit movement and it is not a concern to keep them clean. It is recommended that your child wear sneakers or rubber soled shoes which makes it easier and safer to run and climb.
Children should have a complete change of clothes including socks, a shirt, pants, and underwear to leave at school. In the winter especially, some children bring slippers to wear at school when they take off their boots. All extra clothes as well as outerwear should be marked with your child’s name.
We go outside on most days so please have your child prepared for the weather. If needed, the school does provide additional clothing.
Birthday parties are big occasions in the lives of children. To be invited to a party is very exciting: to be knowingly excluded can cause great hurt. Therefore we suggest the following:
Party invitation be sent through the mail rather than handed out at school
Parties planned for the weekends if possible or on Friday afternoon.
If possible, birthday presents to be given at a party not be brought to school. If unavoidable, please put them in paper bags.
Many children enjoy sharing their birthdays in school by bringing a special snack to share with their class. If you would like to do this, please inform us so that we can plan and help. Of course, parents are welcome to share in this.
A sliding scale is available to income eligible families and the snack fee is included in the cost of the tuition. Families who have children with an Individual Educational Program-IEP do not pay tuition.
We are committed to making your child’s experience positive and memorable. We look forward to working together with all of our families towards this goal.
The model used in the program for delivery of Speech and language, Occupational therapy and Physical therapy services is a co-teaching model. The teachers and therapists work together to plan and implement curriculum within the classroom setting whenever possible in order to meet the objectives of the children. All children participate in activities and use the materials within the classroom which have been designed to meet their specific needs on a daily basis.
The reasons for providing most services in this way are based on information about how children develop. All children between the ages of 3-5 years develop language, fine and gross motor skills. These are some of the most important learning years of a person’s life. Some children develop these skills more slowly and some develop less effective strategies for learning and/or using language and motor skills. But all of the children with or without special needs are in the midst of their most productive language and motor learning years. Language and motor skills are learned as they are used and in these early years much of this happens when children communicate and play with each other. Therefore, embedding intervention into these activities provides that intervention in the most natural and motivating setting.
3 Town Libraries with story Hours Jones Thursday at 10:30 (0-3) No. Amherst Thursday 4:00-5:00 with arts and crafts 3-8 year olds and Munson:
Family Outreach of Amherst: Laura Reichsman 549-5548 family support
Service Net: New office opening in Amherst Variety of family supports
REACH Early Intervention:397-8986 for children 0-3
Amherst Family Center at the Unitarian Church in town: Randa Nachbar: Director
Motherwoman groups in Amherst and Northampton: Annette Cycon 413-253-8990 Post partum depression and other parenting challenges
First call for help 582-4237 or 387-1216
Town of Amherst Family Programs: (Housing) 256-8128
Leisure Services:259-3065
Survival Center: food, clothing 549-3968
Jessie’s House: Homeless Shelter: 658-0060 Holly or Noris
Preschool Fairs: October and January organized by the Amherst Family Center
Dinner on Us: at UMASS Joanne Levinson:
Head Start and Home Start: Renee Pelis: 548-1281
Positive Parenting Group through the ARC Kris Larson 413-834-3344
Everywoman’s Center at UMass Women’s support groups: 545-5834 ext 3
Men’s Resource Center: Men’s Support groups:253-9887
Men’s Resource Center: Youth Programs: 253-6300
Literacy, 2nd language learners: Jones Library Lynn Weintraub:
Center for New Americans: Jim Ayers 587-0084 Northampton and Amherst locations. English classes for 2nd language learners
The Literacy project: Sheila Murphy: 584-1560
Greenfield Community College Workforce development 413-775-1607
GED: Jewish Community Center space
UMass: Continuing Education and University without Walls:577-0287
Holyoke Community College: 413-552-2088
HEC: Joan Schuman:586-4900 (teacher training)
International Language Institute (ESL) Alexis Johnson: 586-7569
Big Brothers/Big Sisters: Renee Moss 253-2591 ext 202
Pediatricians: Amherst Pediatrics, Northampton Pediatrics, Hadley Family Practice, Amherst Family Practice and University Health Services
Cooley Dickinson Hospital, Holyoke Hospital, Baystate Medical Center
Cancer Connection, Inc 586-1642 Barbara Neisner
Service Net. Inc: Susan Stubbs 585-1300
Casa Latina: Lillian Torrew 586-1569
Northampton Pride Inc: Bear White 586-5602
Safe Passage: (women’s abuse support) La Wanza lett-Brewington: 586-1125
Goodwill Angela Cheek: 320-4911 (clothing and household items)
United Way of Hampshire County: John Ebbets: 584-3962
American Red Cross: Rick Leed- 413-774-4306
MSPCC: Judith Harvester (413) 532 9446 x 155
DFCS: Department of Family and Child services 413-775-5000
Alliance to Develop Power: (immigration issues) 413 739-7233
"Can the Right Kind of Play Teach Self Control?" by Paul Tough, from the New York Times magazine of September 27, 2009
To Parent(s)
As Kindergarten approaches for you and your child, we want to recognize this important milestone and offer a few ideas that might help with preparation.
Be matter of fact and low key when talking with your child about kindergarten. Too much discussion can actually increase anxiety. Time frames for 4 and 5 year olds children are different than our own. Talk about this as another year of school and point out the similarities of preschool and kindergarten. Kindergartens have blocks and a pretend area. They have a snack time, a story time, morning meeting and activity time. Difference for some children may be attending school for a longer (or shorter) day. Kindergarten in Amherst is a full day from 8:40-3:05. (Wednesday dismissal is 1:20) NOTE: Parent(s) can elect to have their child go mornings only as well. In kindergarten there is a teacher and an assistant teacher. The children will also have an art, music, physical education. The children also go to the school library.
If you have not visited your neighborhood school, you may want to call and ask about their visitation policy. You may want to take a morning or afternoon to visit the kindergarten classes without your child. Please remember that at this point in the year, the children in the class are now are a year older and are beginning to look more like first graders.
If your child will be riding the bus next year, find the bus stop nearest to your home. You and your child can go to the bus stop and watch the other children getting on the bus. You could follow the bus and make note that the bus stops to pick up other children along the way before it gets to the school. Please also note that bus routes can change from year to year. Kindergarten children sit up front on the bus and the kindergarten teachers meet the bus during the first few months of school and escort their children down to the kindergarten classes until the children become independent and secure in this process.
Visit the playground at your child’s new school after school hours or during the weekend as the weather becomes more springlike. Bringing a friend along will make the trip even more special.
Try to introduce your child to other children who may attend the same kindergarten. Having a friend during the first few weeks is helpful.
Kindergarten teachers tell us that children who have learned to follow the general routines of a good preschool class and have some good self care skills (dressing for outside, independent with bathroom routines) are demonstrating good readiness skills for kindergarten. It is also helpful if a child can recognize their name in print, as things (ie. cubbies) are labeled for the children.