Welcome families and community members!
Thank you for your interest in the Union #38 Schools Early Childhood Program.
Download our handbook
Please check out our local libraries and museums!
Our PreSchool Programs
The mission of the Union #38 Schools’ Early Childhood program is to offer children the opportunity to play and learn in a fun and stimulating environment with other age appropriate peers. The preschool program provides a quality, developmentally-appropriate education for three and four year old children of all abilities. We are committed to creating a supportive, safe, culturally-diverse, and developmentally-appropriate environment where all children and families are respected and valued.
The Union #38 preschool curriculum is based on the knowledge of how young children develop and learn. Our curriculum is based on the Massachusetts Preschool Learning Guidelines. This curriculum reflects current practice in the field of early childhood, which is developmentally appropriate, hands-on learning, with sufficiently challenging curriculum that encourages children to explore, experiment, learn through discovery, and can be accessed by all children.
The preschool curriculum covers all eight areas of development, which includes:
Literacy and Language
Mathematical Thinking
Scientific Thinking
Personal/Social Development
Motor Development – both fine (small muscle) and gross (large muscle)
the Arts
Health
Social Studies
Teachers in our preschool programs recognize that all children develop at their own rate. Recognizing this, teachers are very intentional in identifying their goals for each individual child. Our programs are committed to building a sense of community by encouraging a sense of empathy and acceptance of others.
CFCE / Early Childhood Program Partner
We are the Family Network/Frontier Regional CFCE and Early Childhood Programming of Union 38 School District. We partner to help support local families, working in close collaboration to create supportive family programming, transition information on enrollment in our public preschool programs, child development information, school readiness and community resources.
Click Here for the CFCE Page
How to Apply
An application to the Preschool program is processed through the Early Childhood Coordinator at the Superintendent’s Office. Families may request applications in January by calling 665-1155. The acceptance process is based on a lottery as the number of submitted applications usually exceeds the openings the program is able to accommodate. The selection process for enrollment is completed in late March. Applications are NOT available on-line.
Kindergarten applications are processed through the Elementary Schools. Please contact your respective school office for more information.
(Click on a school for information)
Conway
8:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. M – Th
8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Fridays
Program Days: M – F
(enrollment options 3-5 days/week)
Ages: 3 or 4 years old by September 1st
Sunderland
8:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. M – Th
8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Fridays
Program Days: M – F
(enrollment options 3-5 days/week)
Ages: 3 or 4 years old by September 1st
Whately
8:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. M – Th
8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Fridays
Program Days: M – F
(enrollment options 3-5 days/week)
Ages: 3 or 4 years old by September 1st
Deerfield
8:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. M – Th
8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Fridays
Program Days: M – F
(enrollment options 3-5 days/week)
Ages: 3 or 4 years old by September 1st
Parent Resources and Information
Playful learning activities you can do with your preschooler ANYTIME!
Franklin County Options and Resources for Early Education and Care
Massachusetts department of Early Education and Care
Deerfield Macaronikid – Great resource to find family-friendly events and activities in Franklin County
Hilltown Families – a grassroots network connecting families in Western Massachusetts with events happening in the area.
NAYC for Families – The National Association for the Education of Young Children has launched a updated website with families in mind. Check it out!
Empowering Parents – Very informative and useful articles on a variety of topics for parents.
WIC Information – Community Action support for families in our district
Early Literacy links
ABCya! – This website has fun educational games for young children to older elementary grades.
STARFALL – This site has free phonics games and ebooks for young children.
PBS.org – This site has parenting tips, interactive educational games and much, much, more!
Storyline On-Line – The Screen Actors Guild Foundation is proud to bring you Storyline Online, an on-line streaming video program featuring SAG members reading childrens books aloud! Each book includes accompanying activities and lesson ideas.
KidHealth.org – Toddler time reading.