Early Education Options
Publicly Funded Pre-K
The state of Vermont passed Act 166, a statewide law for Publicly Funded Preschool. All children in the Windham Southwest Supervisory Union area which include residents of Wilmington, Whitingham, Searsburg, Halifax, Readsboro, and Stamford who are between the ages of 3 and 5 who are not yet in Kindergarten, and are 3 by the date used for Kindergarten entry are eligible to attend any pre-qualified preschool program. The cost for ten (10) hours per week (35 weeks per school year September-June) of developmentally appropriate early learning experiences based on Vermont's Early Learning Standards is covered by the school district in which the child resides. This is not a program, parents are responsible for registering their child with a pre-qualified program.
Private-based Publicly Funded Pre-K
- Readsboro Preschool Incorporated, Readsboro
- Mount Snow Child Care, West Dover
- Kids in the Country Preschool, East Dover
- Beaver Brook Children's School, Wilmington beaverbrookschool@gmail.com, Old School Community Center,October 2021
OR Any other prequalified program in Vermont - Check the provider directory
School-based Pre-K
- Readsboro Central School Preschool Readsboro Residents only 4-5 year olds Full Day Program with Kindergarten. 3 year olds Half Day program (PM) with Kindergarten.
- Twin Valley Elementary School Preschool Whitingham and Wilmington residents only for 4 year olds only. Four-a-half-day program.
- Stamford School Preschool-Stamford Residents 4 year olds. Half day morning program.
Screening Services
At a screening, a child’s development is checked to determine whether he or she has delays in areas such as communication, vision, hearing, movement, social or self-help skills, or learning. If screening results show that your child may have a significant developmental delay, the school will want to do further testing, which is known as a comprehensive special education evaluation. Parents may request a screening at no cost at any time during the school year.
Outreach Services
The Outreach Program is a no cost early childhood education service for three- and four-year-old children who need a boost in their skill development before entering Kindergarten. Early childhood education services provide school readiness to ensure that every child will start school ready to succeed.
Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE)
Early Childhood Special Education is special education and related services (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act-IDEA) for children three through five years old that are provided by WSWSU at no cost to parents. Special education is specialized instruction that meets your child’s individual and unique needs. Related services are services a child may need in order to benefit from special education, such as speech and language, occupational or physical therapy. We work with local childcare providers so that your child can receive services in a location where he/she is most comfortable.
Transition from Early Intervention to ECSE
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) - Part C provides for Early Intervention services for infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families. Implementation of these services in Vermont is through a family-centered coordinated system called Children’s Integrated Services-CIS/Early Intervention. If your child is not yet three and you have questions about their development, please contact your CIS/Early Intervention provider.