Early Childhood News

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Early Childhood Programs

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Northampton Community Partnerships for Children (CPC)

  Are you looking for preschool for your child? 

Do you have questions about programs, subsidies, and resources for young children and their families in the Northampton area?

Do you have concerns about your preschool-aged child’s development?

Contact the Northampton Community Partnerships for Children at 587-1471 or blackb@northampton.k12.ma.us

The Northampton CPC offers limited child care subsidies to income eligible working families as well as information on local services, resources, and subsidies.

The CPC also works to:

·        promote collaboration and foster cooperation among early childhood programs in the community (schools, child care programs, other family support organizations);

·        improve the quality of early care and education available to young children and their families;

·        conduct outreach and provide services to families with young children from traditionally under-served groups, including low-income, non-native English speaking, special needs and ethnic and racial minorities; and

·        provide comprehensive services to preschool-aged children and their families.

For additional information contact:

Barbara Black, Early Childhood Coordinator

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Northampton Public Schools (NPS) Kindergarten

• All NPS kindergarten classes are full-day
• Each classroom is staffed by a licensed teacher and Educational Support Professional
• Kindergarten age eligibility: child must be 5 years old by August 31
• Kindergarten registration takes place in early March; families who miss the registration week can contact the Early Childhood office, 587-1471, or Central Registration, 587-1328
• Kindergarten orientation includes a family visit at the beginning of the school year to ensure a smooth transition to kindergarten
• Family members are encouraged to volunteer/participate in  classroom and school activities

Our full day kindergarten schedule allows the teaching team to implement developmentally appropriate curriculum, following the curriculum frameworks.  The teacher and instructional assistants are able to individualize activities to meet the needs of each child.    Children are able to explore their environment, investigate early literacy, numeracy, science, and social studies.  Woven through these curriculum areas, children have the opportunity to work and play together, learning the social skills that are the foundation for success in school and life.

Kindergarten is an integral part of school life and community.  Each class has art, music and physical education weekly. Kindergartners participate in school-wide assemblies, cultural arts programs, and other school community projects.     Many kindergarten classes have fourth and fifth grade “learning buddies” offering both the older and younger children growth opportunities.

For additional information, contact the Early   Childhood office, 587-1471 or blackb@northampton.k12.ma.us

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Northampton Public Schools Preschool Program 

The Northampton Public Schools integrated preschool classrooms provide excellent early education opportunities for special needs and typically developing children at the Early Childhood Center at the Jackson Street School.  The program accepts children from all Northampton, Florence, and Leeds neighborhoods. The program has been accredited through the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) since 1995.  

Each classroom has up to 15 children, 7 with special needs, and 8 who are typically developing. Children who are identified as having special needs may be enrolled in the preschool as part of their Individualized Education Plan (IEP).  Typically developing children may be enrolled in the preschool through a lottery.  Applications for typical preschool slots are available through the Early Childhood office.  The lottery is held in March but we maintain a wait list and children enroll as slots become available. The lottery is organized to ensure gender balance and a mix of children from all 4 elementary school districts. 

The preschool programs are based on a developmentally appropriate model, encouraging each child to learn and grow at his or her own pace. Children work, play and learn together.  The curriculum is child centered and children have opportunities each day to choose activities from a variety of interest areas.  As children learn through active play and exploration, they are able to develop and increase their language and social skills. Through their experiences in preschool, children gain self-confidence and learn to value the contributions of each member of the group. 

Additional information:

·        Age eligibility- typically developing children (chosen through the lottery or wait list) must be 3 by August 31

·        Schedule: Mondays- Thursdays, mornings for 3 year olds, afternoons for 4 year olds

·        Sliding fee scale, based on income and family size:  no fee to $43 per week

For information, contact NPS Early Childhood Office 587-1471 or blackb@northampton.k12.ma.us

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Parent Child Home Program (PCHP)

A family literacy program for toddlers and their parents

If you are a parent of a child between the ages of 16 months and 3 years-old, and you live in  Northampton, Leeds, Florence, or Easthampton, you may be eligible for a special program that helps prepare your child for later school success.

The Parent-Child Home Program brings a Home Visitor to your home twice a week for 30 minutes each visit.  She will bring free educational toys and books that your child gets to keep.  She will show you fun ways to help your child learn through play. Visits can be scheduled at your convenience during the day or in the early evenings.

There is no cost to you. 

To sign up or get more information, contact

Denise Haughton, PCHP Coordinator 413-587-1383
or
  dhaughton@northampton-k12.us

Barbara Black at 413-587-1471 
or
  blackb@northampton.k12.ma.us

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Preschool Options in Northampton

The following is a list of classroom-based preschool options in Northampton.  Call each program for specific information, or contact The Northampton Public Schools Early Childhood/Community Partnerships for Children office (587-1471 or blackb@northampton.k12.ma.us) or Child Care Outlook (582-4230 x161 or 1-877-366-9096) for general information (see bottom of page).

Arcadia Nature Nursery School, 127 Coombs Rd Easthampton, 584-3009 --Half-day preschool

Clark School for the Deaf, Round Hill Rd, 582-1116 --Half-day integrated preschool with space for “typical” children

Cloverdale Cooperative Nursery School, 130 Pine St., Florence, 586-1106 --Half-day parent cooperative preschool

Community Action Parent Child Development Center (PCDC) Head Start, 56 Vernon Street and Northampton High School, 582-4212--Full-day and half-day classroom program for infant, toddler and preschool; full- and part-time programming through family child care system; free and subsidized programs for income-eligible families; home visit and comprehensive family support programs also available

Dolphin Day Care, 33 Hawley St., 582-0222 --Full-day programs for infant, toddler and preschool

Gan Keshet Preschool, 253 Prospect St., 584-3593 --Half-day preschool program; extended day available

Meadowlark Child Care, 283 Prospect St., 586-1951 --Half- and full-day program for preschool; limited number of subsidized slots

Montessori School of Northampton, 51 Bates St., 586-4538 --Half- and full-day programs for preschool and kindergarten

Nonotuck Community School, 221 Riverside Dr. Florence 586-5996 --Full and part time program for toddler, preschool and kindergarten

Northampton Public Schools Early Childhood Center at Jackson St. School, 120 Jackson St., 587-1471 --Half day integrated preschool serving typical and special needs children; typical children enrolled through lottery

People’s Institute, 38 Gothic St., 584-8313 --Half- and full-day programs for toddler, preschool and kindergarten; after-school program also available for elementary school-aged children

Smith Campus School at Fort Hill, 28 Lyman Rd., 585-3295 --Half- and full-day programs for infant, toddler and preschool

Smith Child Care at Sunnyside, 70 Paradise Rd., 585-2293 --Half- and full-day programs for toddler and preschool

v      Information on public school and community early childhood programs and issues

v      Limited number of child care subsidies through Community Partnerships for Children for working families

v      Workshops and training for parents

v      Child care information and referral, including lists of all licensed family child care providers and child care programs, as well as information on choosing child care and available subsidy programs

v      Child care vouchers (subsidies) available to families who are working or in training and are income-eligible or on TAFDC

MA Department of Early Education and Care website www.eec.state.ma.us

v      Lists of all licensed early education and care centers and providers

v      Information on choosing a program for your child/family

v      Information on child care subsidies

Special Education Department
Northampton Public Schools
240 Main Street, Room 2
Northampton, MA 01060
(413) 587-1451
Fax (413)587-1456