General Questions

Will you put twins or siblings in the same classroom?
This will be a discussion between the school staff and the parents as to what is most appropriate for the children.

Can parents request to have children placed with their friends?
No, parents cannot make requests for specific classes or teachers.

Do children need to be toilet trained?
We strongly encourage families to work on toilet training prior to starting pre-k and prefer children are toilet trained before school starts. However, we understand that there is a wide variety of development in the early years and not all children will arrive completely trained. The school staff will be willing to carry over whatever has been introduced at home in regard to toilet training.

What percentage of the students are from Bloomfield?
Approximately 35% of the slots are for Bloomfield students.

What percentage of the students are from out of district?
Approximately 35% of slots are for Avon, East Granby, Granby, Simsbury & West Hartford students. 
Approximately 30% of the slots are for Hartford students.

What is the sibling rule?
Siblings of children currently enrolled in the school will be offered a slot as long as the sibling continues to be enrolled. When you apply, you must put Wintonbury as the first choice school. 

What grade should I enroll my child in, Pk3 or Pk4?
Please use the dates below as a guide for the 2023-2024 school year:

PK3 (Pre-kindergarten, age 3):
Child was born between September 1, 2019 and December 31, 2020

PK4 (Pre-kindergarten, age 4):
Child was born between September 1, 2018 and December 31, 2019

*It is important to note that students may only enroll in each grade level for one year.*

Can you hold a child back after 2 years in pre-k?

Children are not held back at Wintonbury for an extra year of pre-k.

What are the drop off rules for families that transport their child to school?
For safety, please use the arrival/dismissal guidelines listed below.

1. An adult needs to physically walk each child to their classroom's back door.

2. Families who drop off and pick up their children at Wintonbury can do this at their child's classroom exterior door (marked with the room number) from 8:40 AM-8:50 AM and again from 2:20 PM-2:30 PM.

3. On Early Dismissal Days, the pick up is at 1:00 PM.

4. Families dropping off and picking up their children outside of the regular times can use the side entrance, located at the side of the building by the parking lot. Please buzz in and wait at the door.   

Strict adherence to these times is maintained due to security reasons and staffing of the door. This keeps parents and students who are dropping off or picking up put safely out of the way of buses in the bus circle.

Is it a diverse student population?
Our past and current enrollment information indicates that we are a diverse community ethnically, racially, and in social economic status. The student population is comprised of families and students identifying as Asian, Black or African American, White, Hispanic/Latino, Two or more races.    

If we don't send our child this year, will we have to enter the lottery again?
Yes, if you decline your child's slot for next year, you will need to reenter the lottery for the following year.

How is this funded?
The construction was funded 95% by the state of Connecticut and 5% by the town of Bloomfield. There will be a per pupil reimbursement from the state of Connecticut for students to offset operating costs. The balance will be picked up by the Bloomfield Public Schools.

Does Avon, East Granby, Granby, Hartford, Simsbury or West Hartford lose any money for this school?
No. At this time, participating districts do not pay per pupil tuition. 

Do families pay tuition to go to Wintonbury Early Childhood Magnet School?
No. There is no tuition charge to attend Wintonbury. 

Does Wintonbury have pathways to other schools?
Wintonbury has pathways for students who live in Hartford and attend Wintonbury when applying for kindergarten (see below for a list of schools). You must select the desired school in your application.   
-Open Choice (preference in any eligible district)
-Academy of International Studies Elementary School (South Windsor/CREC)
-Glastonbury/East Hartford Magnet School (Glastonbury/CREC)
-Riverside Magnet School at Goodwin University (East Hartford/LEARN)
-Betances Learning Lab (Hartford)
-Environmental Sciences at Mary Hooker (Hartford)

Facility-

What kind of security will there be?
The school will be locked during the day. Anyone arriving after 8:50 a.m. or prior to 2:20 p.m. will have to be buzzed into the building and sign in with a receptionist.

Is there a school cafeteria?
There is a fully functioning kitchen in the school. Children will have the option of purchasing lunch or bringing a lunch from home. Some students may qualify for free or reduced meals after completing the appropriate paperwork. All pre-k students eat in the classrooms with their classroom staff assisting.

What will be done in the courtyard?
Children gather in the courtyard for both small and large group lessons with their classes. We continue to add interactive elements to the courtyard including instruments, a pebble well, xylophone, and large building blocks. We use it as an observation space for flowers, plants, butterflies, and other pollinators. Additionally the glass windows all around the courtyard will provide much natural light inside the school.

Where will the children play outside?
There is an outdoor learning environment which has 3 distinct areas. Children will have the opportunity to play in the dirt and sand, ride tricycles, play ball, climb on the playscape as well as engage in dramatic play activities at the "chicken coop theatre."

What is the typical Pre-K school day like?
This is an approximation which does not include the necessary shift on field trip days.
8:40-9:10 Arrival/Greeting Time
9:10-10:50 Group Time, Center/Activity Time, Group Story, Outdoor Learning Time
11:00-12:30 Lunch Time
1:00-2:00 Quiet Activity Time/Rest
2:00-2:20 Closure Activity
2:20-2:30 Dismissal Time

Curriculum and Educational Questions-

What technology will be used?
Each classroom has a Promethean interactive whiteboard that the teacher will be able to connect to his/her computer for instructional purposes.

What is the class size?
There are 18 children in each Pre-K class. Each class will have approximately ½ 3 year olds and ½ 4 year olds.

Will the 3 and 4's be together for the entire day?
Yes.

Do we have to go 5 days per week?
Yes. We ask children to attend 5 days each week. If individual children are not able to tolerate a full day we will work with the family beginning with a ½ day schedule with the goal of building up to full day participation eventually.

What school calendar will you use?

We follow the Bloomfield Public Schools calendar.

What is the curriculum?
We use The Creative Curriculum© for Preschool in the Pre-K classes. This is a curriculum which focuses on skill development (Social/Emotional, Physical, Cognitive and Language) by structuring the learning environment.

What is the partnership with the AuerFarm?

Each class will go the farm once every 3 weeks. The partnership fosters lessons that follow the farm calendar year. Lessons related to animal shelters and other topics are used in conjunction with the seasonal changes happening at the farm- standards are embedded into these learning opportunities. In order to emphasize an inquiry approach to learning, students are exposed to the topic in advance and are given an opportunity to ask questions regarding their upcoming experience. When on the farm the students are allowed to "research" their questions, personalizing the learning experience. 

How will teachers alter their instruction for the age range in the classroom?
The teachers take into considerations the varying levels of all the students while planning and implementing lessons in the class.

Do you have a Kindergarten program?
No. We have 18 pre-k classrooms only. 

How will you assess kids and communicate to parents?
Teaching staff will make observations and assess children based on the goals of the curriculum. This progress will be communicated to parents formally during parent teacher conferences in both December and March as well as a written summary which will be presented during conferences as well as in June.

Will teachers be able to individualize or just follow the curriculum?
The Creative Curriculum© is designed so that teachers can develop individualized, small group and large group goals for varying activities. 

Will you coordinate from pre-kindergarten to kindergarten in home districts?
Yes. We communicate with all of the districts in some way to prepare for and ease the transition from pre-kindergarten to kindergarten.

Parent Involvement-

What opportunities will there be for parent involvement?
We welcome and encourage families to volunteer in the classroom or within the school, based on their availability. Strong family involvement is a school goal! Many families choose to volunteer as chaperones on the trips to the AuerFarm or during PTO events such as literacy night, fundraisers or the Scholastic Book Fair. We always welcome families to approach teachers to ask about sharing with their class any special family traditions and/or other ways that your family celebrates together.

Before and After School Extension Program-

Can we go to Extension 2 or 3 days per week?
Extension is a 5 day a week program. Children can participate in before school, after school or before and after school Extension. 

What are the Extension rates?
Extension is a fee-based program. Please contact the Extension Program Director, Kristine Johnson for more information, [email protected] or 860-209-2696.  

 
Is there a sibling discount in the Extension Program?
Yes. If you have other children enrolled in any of the Bloomfield Public Schools Extension Programs you will get a 10% discount.  

Transportation-

Who qualifies for bus transportation?

Bloomfield and Hartford students will qualify for bus transportation for the regular school day. 

Is there an age cut-off for the buses?
No.

Will there be seat belts on the buses?
Yes, pre-kindergarten students ride in a safety approved car seat. 

Will there be monitors on the buses?
Yes there will be monitors to and from school each day on the Pre-K buses. When children are transported back and forth to the AuerFarm the classroom staff will accompany them on the bus.

Will children be transported back and forth to the farm?
Yes.

Will staff assist children getting on and off the bus?
Yes, teachers/school staff will help children getting on and off the buses. Additionally we will require that parents or a responsible adult get on the bus each day to load their child safely. For children living in Bloomfield who qualify for transportation, is it possible for the school bus to pick them up each day at one address and drop them off at a different address? Yes, children can be picked up from one Bloomfield address and dropped off at a different Bloomfield address. However, the morning pick up must be the same address for all 5 days and the afternoon drop off must be the same address for all 5 days.

Staffing-

What qualifications do the staff have?
The classroom teachers have Connecticut state certification with an early childhood endorsement. The assistant teachers minimally have an Associate’s degree or equivalent in early childhood.

What does the staffing look like in the building? Each classroom has a certified teacher and an Early Childhood Instructional Assistant. There is an Early Childhood Instructional Coach, 3 full time Special Education teachers, 2 full time time Speech/Language Pathologists, a part time BCBA (Board Certified Behavior Analyst), 4 ABAA's (Applied Behavior Analyst Assistants) a Social Worker, a full time Registered Nurse, 2 full time Administrative Assistants, and 2.5 Custodians. Additionally an Occupational Therapist and a Physical Therapist will be available as determined for individual students. 

Meals/Food-

Is it a nut-free school?
We are not a nut free school. Please read our food guidelines. 

What will the lunch program be?
The school is equipped with a full kitchen. Children will have the option of purchasing lunch or bringing lunch from home. When children bring a lunch from home, it will need to be ready to eat. There will not be facilities for preparing/heating meals on an individual basis. Children will eat lunch in their classrooms. Please read our food guidelines. 

What is the cost of a school lunch?
Parents will have the option of filling out a USDA meal form to determine if their child might qualify for a free or reduced price meal. Parents will also have the option to purchase meals. When able, the cafeteria can make certain substitutions to accommodate documented dietary restrictions (for medical purposes). The cafeteria can not accommodate choice based food preferences and/or diets. 

Breakfast = $1.75
Lunch = $3.00
Milk = $.60

Will there be snack time at school?
Each classroom handles snack in one of two ways. Most classrooms use a "community snack" method where families donate snacks from an approved list (please check with your individual teacher as some classrooms have specific allergies) or children will bring in a healthy snack from home each day. Snack time will be determined based on individual classroom schedule.

Health - 

Does my child need to get a flu shot? 
Yes, all preschool children that are enrolled in preschool must get a flu shot before December 31st of the school year and again annually while they are enrolled in the preschool. Failure to do this will results in exclusion form the program. Religious exemptions are no longer allowed. This is a state immunization requirement for school. 

Does my child need a physical?
Yes, to enter the program your child must have a current physical on file at the school. If your child does not have a current (dated within the/a year) they will not be able to attend school. Enrollment is contingent on this. 

What if my child needs medical care at school (medication/inhaler/feeding/etc/creams or ointments)?
Children must have the appropriate authorized documentation and medication/ointment/cream/etc on file at school. Please communicate any medical needs to the school nurse as soon as possible. 

What if my child gets sick at school? 
We follow district guidelines for illness. You child may be sent home if they are too ill for school.  Contact information and emergency contact information are necessary to keep up to date at school. Additionally, the district has "Stay at Home" guideline for determining when to keep your child at home due to illness or symptoms. 

Special Education - 

My child has an IEP, what do I do? 
We service children's IEPs at school. We need to first know that your child has an IEP. Please let us know immediately upon accepting a seat and completing registration so we can prepare for a successful transition! 

What do I do if my child is in Birth to Three? 
Please let us know immediately upon accepting a seat and completing registration so we can prepare for a successful transition! Children with Birth to Three services will remain under Birth to Three until their third birthday. This may mean that a child Birth to Three provided will come to school for their services (depending on their birthdate). You should expect a transition meeting to happen at least 90 days before their 3rd birthday. Click here for a visual transition meeting resource: Transition Meeting Birth to Three

What if I have concerns with my child's development or suspect a disability?
You can reach out to your local school district for support. Find your school district on the internet, look for Student Support Services or call your town Board of Education for guidance. You can also use the Sparkler App to connect to Ages and Stages, a developmental screening tool that parents can use. The app will take you through the screening tool and then populate for you next steps including things that you can do at home to help your child's development. 

How do I get in touch with the Special Education Team at Wintonbury?
Call the school 869-769-5510 or email or team at [email protected].