Towns with free preschool? Does that exist in MA? (Peabody: school district, costs)

[Bruins3445]

One thing I've come to learn in researching our move to MA, is that preschool and/or kindergarten aren't free. I was under the assumption it was based on what I'd heard years ago. However apparently I either misunderstood or things have changed. Regardless, anyone know of towns in MA that offer free preschool? I would like to take that into consideration as we narrow down where we might move to.

[tovarisch]

Here in Northampton there is a free Kindergarten called the Hill Institute. Our son did well there.

[MikePRU]

Kindergarten is free in every town in MA. It's a state requirement. What isn't required is full day K. So you may have to pay extra for that. AFAIK every town has a public preschool and while it's not usually free, it's usually incredibly cheap compared to private preschools.

[00na]

All towns are required to provide half day kindergarten. Some towns offer full day kindergarten for free, but some towns charge tuition for full day. In my town (Acton), full day kindergarten is by lottery and costs about $3500/year. Tuition for our town's preschool is $3530/year for half day and $6830/year for full day.

[kingeorge]

Are preschool and kindergarten now the same thing?

There are no free preschools in MA unless you are very poor and need assistance. Some towns offer preschools that are run by their school district, and are much cheaper then private ones, but it is usually lottery or need based entry. Very limited slots.

Good luck.

[robr2]

The idea of town supplied pre-school has been proposed for at least 15 years at least. My town at one time considered transforming an unused school into a K and pre-school center as the state was considering mandating pre-K. The thought was that since we already offer a user paid pre-school program based at the high school, moving it to this new center along with all the K classes, the renovation would make sense if it had to be offered. It would also open space at the elementary schools to bring them up to date over a period of time.

It was voted down by a vocal group that felt it wouldn't get any benefit from a new school building.

[alidmc]

There is no free pre-school unless your child qualifies for pre-k special needs with an IEP. My town offers free full day Kindergarten now, we used to pay 3,800 for it. Whether full day Kindergarten is free will vary by town. Most of the larger cities offer free K. Peabody has offered it for at least 15 years.

[CaseyB]

Originally Posted by alidmc

There is no free pre-school unless your child qualifies for pre-k special needs with an IEP.

Yes, those kids attend the town preschool free and also some other kids do who are considered "models". Kids who have excellent speech for their age and good social skills.

[MikePRU]

Originally Posted by CaseyB

Yes, those kids attend the town preschool free and also some other kids do who are considered "models". Kids who have excellent speech for their age and good social skills.

I believe the "typically performing peers" in the integrated classrooms pay tuition. At least in Needham they do because the pre-school I believe is all integrated classrooms. Personally, I love that they do it this way. It teaches the kids at a young age that being different is OK.

[CaseyB]

Originally Posted by MikePRU

I believe the "typically performing peers" in the integrated classrooms pay tuition. At least in Needham they do because the pre-school I believe is all integrated classrooms. Personally, I love that they do it this way. It teaches the kids at a young age that being different is OK.

One of my neighbor's daughters was a "model" and they paid nothing.