- Preakness Early Childhood Center
- About Us
About Us
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The Preakness Early Childhood Center currently offers a full day and a half day option with morning or afternoon sessions. Classroom instruction is based on the Tools of the Mind Curriculum, which uses a child-centered, play-based approach to promote creative play, motor skills, communication, and cognitive development. Preschool teachers provide developmentally appropriate daily activities, providing a foundation for future academic and personal success. Instruction targets each child's areas of strengths and needs to include music and song, arts and crafts, computer learning and fun, pretend play, and activities related to seasonal projects, self-care, and socialization. Students participate in project-based investigations using a study approach with a theme.
The Preschool Program integrates students identified as eligible for special education and related services. There are three options for preschool classes; Three Days (Monday, Wednesday, Friday) in the morning or afternoon, Five Days (Monday through Friday) in the morning and afternoon, and one Five Full Day class (Monday through Friday).
Curriculum
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The Preakness ECC follows the New Jersey Preschool Teaching and Learning Standards.
The full standards document can be found here: https://www.nj.gov/education/ece/guide/standards.pdf
Tools of the Mind: Tools of the Mind is a research-based early childhood model combining teacher professional development with a comprehensive, innovative curriculum that helps young children to develop the cognitive, social-emotional, self-regulatory, and foundational academic skills they need to succeed in school and beyond.
Tools of the Mind is designed to support the development of all young children. Tools currently serves over 30,000 children in PreK and K classrooms that run the gamut from small rural school districts, to large urban ones including Washington DC; and from elite private schools, to publicly funded programs serving children from low-resource families. You can also access their website at https://toolsofthemind.org/learn/what-is-tools/
Hours / Cost
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Schedule
Wayne Preschool offers half-day classes for either 5-days a week or 3-days a week (Monday, Wednesday and Friday), as well as a full day of classes.
- AM: 8:20am - 10:55am
- PM: 12:10pm - 2:45pm
- Full Day: 8:20am - 2:45pm
Program Cost
The current 2022-2023 tuition:
- 3 days a week = $256.00 per month
- 5 days a week = $428.00 per month
- 5 full days = $856 a month
Upcoming 2023-2024 tuition:
- 3 days a week = $262.50 per month
- 5 days a week = $437.50 per month
- 5 full days = $875 per month
Staff
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All preschool teachers are dually certified in early childhood and special education. Our classrooms are supported with the assistance of paraprofessionals. A registered school nurse is on-site to provide daily nursing services and address medical emergencies.
Creativity and Movement are provided by certified teachers who work collaboratively with the preschool classroom teachers to support and enhance the curriculum. We also provide a Preschool ELL (English Language Learning) Teacher who provides services for students who qualify.The Preschool Program is supported by a staff of Speech/Language Specialists, Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists, and BCBA who provide related services in accordance with each child's Individualized Education Plan (IEP).
Transportation
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Transportation for special education preschool students is provided on a home-to-school basis.
FAQ
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Where is the Preakness Early Childhood Center currently located?
The Preakness Early Childhood Center is located at 1006 Hamburg Turnpike, Wayne, NJ.
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Who can attend the Wayne Preschool program?
Enrollment is available to children ages 3 to 5 regardless of your town of residence; however, Wayne residents will be given priority.
Children need to be toilet trained.
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What is taught in preschool?
The Creative Curriculum for Preschool is a research-based curriculum emphasizing exploration, discovery, and play. It supports each child by fostering developmentally appropriate social/emotional, language, cognitive, and motor skills. Students are encouraged to develop creativity and critical thinking skills through investigations using a study approach. It is one of the four New Jersey Department of Education recommended preschool curricula, aligned to the NJ Preschool Teaching and Learning Standards. For more information about this curriculum, see below. You can also access their website at www.TeachingStrategies.com
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What is the schedule for preschool classes?
Wayne Preschool offers half-day classes for either 5-days a week or 3-days a week (Monday, Wednesday and Friday), as well as a full day of classes.
- AM: 8:20am - 10:55am
- PM: 12:10pm - 2:45pm
- Full Day: 8:20am - 2:45pm
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What is the cost of the program?
The current 2022-2023 tuition:
- 3 days a week = $256.00 per month
- 5 days a week = $428.00 per month
- 5 full days = $856 a month
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Registration Information
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Information Needed for Online Registration
After receiving confirmation of placement from the Preakness Early Childhood Secretary, you will be provided a link to complete your child's registration through the online system, OnCourse.The following information and forms (to upload during the process) are required.- Parent/Guardian and Emergency Contacts Information
Three Emergency Contacts with at least one phone number listed are REQUIRED for every student in the district.
*Note that each parent/guardian/emergency account MUST also have a distinct email address (an email address cannot be used for multiple contacts). - Parent/Guardian Identification (*upload): A passport or valid driver's license.
- Proof of Residency - 3 documents needed (*upload):
Your Deed or Lease must be one of these documents as well as, Affidavits if applicable.
Note that the first page and full signature page of Deed or Lease are to be sent.
- Child's Identification (*upload): A birth certificate or passport.
- Child's Doctor Information
- Child's Insurance Information
- Child's completed (*upload): Language Survey
- Child's current IEP (*upload): If applicable
- Parent/Guardian and Emergency Contacts Information
Need More Info?
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Need More Information?
For additional information, please reach out to either the Wayne Preschool Registrar or the Department of Student Support Services:Wayne Preschool Registrar: PrekRegistration@wayneschools.com.
