Preschool

Click here for the registration form

You don't need research to tell you that children's early years are a crucial period of learning and development. You see it every day in your own young child. In the Madison School District Early Childhood Program, we care for each young child in ways that are appropriate to his or her age and level of development - helping them all get a strong foundation for learning and growth.

Early Childhood Program Framework

An Active Approach to Learning!
Madison School District's Early Childhood Program uses a philosophy which promotes an active learning environment. Children engage in "Key Experiences" that foster developmentally important skills and abilities. The key experiences are grouped into categories: Initiative, Social Relations, Creative Representation, Movement and Music, Language and Literacy, and Mathematics and Science.

Curriculum and Learning Outcomes
Madison School District's Early Childhood Program uses The High/Scope® approach. The goal of the High/Scope® preschool model is to enable young children to achieve greater school success and social responsibility by giving them opportunities to initiate and engage in learning activities that contribute to their cognitive, affective, and physical development.

Curriculum Time
Structured small group and whole group activities follow a regular schedule each morning. Because of this, it is important that your child attend regularly and arrive each day before curriculum time begins. Please review the daily schedule with your child's instructor.

Nap & Quiet Time

Nap time will take place in the afternoon (times vary per site). Parents may send a small pillow and blanket with their child for use during the week (items need to be able to fit into a backpack in order to be taken home at the end of the week for washing). Children will be required to wear their shoes during nap time in case of sudden emergency.

Fees

Click here to view the payment schedule for Preschool.

Guidelines

1. Since our program provides a wide variety of toys and games for the children, we discourage bringing these items from home. If such items from home are brought to the program, staff cannot be responsible for their safe return.

2. It is very important that all clothing, jackets and lunch boxes be clearly labeled with your child's name. Program and staff are not responsible for their safe return.

3. All children need a complete set of clothing to be left at the program in case the child needs a change of clothing during the day.

4. We suggest your child come dressed for comfort. Your child should wear practical, washable clothes. Cowboy boots, flip flops or clothing that may cause falls or other accidents should not be worn.

5. An oversized shirt is recommended for arts & crafts.

6. Children must be completely toilet trained (Pull-Ups are not permitted).

7. Children must be at least 3 years of age to start preschool. 

Sample Daily Schedule

Early Childhood Program is offered at:  

Madison's Early Childhood Program is provided through the Community Education Department.