Preschool Program Information

The Fairhaven Public Schools now accepts applications for the 2025-2026 preschool year. Please read all of the following information carefully, as it describes the requirements of the program. Applications are available online. If you do not have a device to complete the application on, please visit one of our Elementary Schools to complete a paper form.

Apply Here  

Purpose

The Fairhaven Public Schools Integrated Preschool Programs are designed to include both 3 and 4 year old children with special educational needs and their typically developing peers.

While addressing the individual needs of students receiving special education services, an integrated preschool program emphasizes the development of all children within a developmentally appropriate curriculum.

The District is actively seeking typically developing peer partners to serve as models for the integrated program.

In order to be eligible for one of these opportunities the child must participate in the preschool screening process.

Admission Procedure

• Admission for a child with special educational needs is determined through the special education evaluation process.

  • Anyone who feels that their child may be in need of special education services can receive further information about the early childhood screening and evaluation process by contacting the Fairhaven Public Schools Special Education Office at (508) 979-4000 ext: 117.
    
    

• Admission for a child as a peer model may occur through a lottery depending on the number of eligible applicants that are received. Peer models must be residing within the Fairhaven school district.
  
  Applicants must be 3 years old prior to September 1, 2025.

  • Children considered are those who do not currently receive special education services and are not in need of special education services.
    
    

• Applicants (model students) are expected to demonstrate AGE APPROPRIATE SKILLS (within 6 months) in the areas of speech and language, cognitive/school readiness skills, fine and gross motor skills, and socialization and behavioral skills.

  • This includes, but is not limited to, being toilet trained, demonstrating self-control and pro-social behavior. If, through the application and screening process, it is determined that a child is not developmentally on target in any of these areas,

    it may make the student ineligible.

    • If the child is unable to comply with directives or participate in the screening, the parents or teachers may choose to re-screen the child in 6 months.

    • If the child is then able to pass the screening instrument, he/she will then be placed on the waiting list and offered the next available spot in the preschool program.

      • In the event of a lottery, appropriate peer model students who are not selected in the lottery will be placed on a waiting list. In past years, openings have occurred after the lottery selection and into the school year, and we have offered slots to those on our waiting lists.

Days & Hours of the Program

Our Integrated Preschool Program operates in 2 sessions:

• A.M. session - 4 days / week (Monday-Thursday) from 8:40 a.m. – 11:10 a.m.

• P.M. session - 5 days / week (Monday - Friday) from 12:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Tuition

Screening Sessions

Required Documents

• All children who are accepted must have a physical examination prior to the start of school.

• A completed Health Record must be returned before school starts in September. Children must be properly immunized.

  • Upon acceptance to the program, immunization records must be submitted prior to the start of school. Children who do not meet the medical requirements will not be allowed to participate in the program.

• A consent form providing emergency telephone, contact information, and authorization for emergency treatment is also required.

The following requirements must also be submitted after notification of being in the program but before beginning the program:

• Registration Packet (received from child’s school office)

• A copy of your child’s Birth Certificate

• All proof of residency requirements (all 3 items)

• Current Immunization Records

• Signed Tuition Agreement

• Tuition Deposit by June 1, 2025