Open Discussion Forum

  • 1.  Private Kindergarten permitted?

    Posted 06-19-2020 10:36 AM
    Hi All,
    I am hoping someone more veteran than myself might be able to help me! 

    I am the Assistant Director for a large preschool in Boston.  We have a group of parents whose children just graduated and are going to be in Kindergarten in the fall.  They are nervous about the public school systems being able to implement safely all of the regulations around covid (Boston is a hotspot) and are interested in us opening a Kindergarten-only class in the fall. We have several licensed teachers who have K-8 degrees and have taught kindergarten in the past.  Massachusetts does not have compulsory kindergarten.

    A colleague from another school said that we may be covered through our NAEYC Accreditation.  Does anyone know more?  Where would I vind that info?  (I am waiting to hear back from NAEYC as well)

    Thanks in advance,

    ------------------------------
    Jenny Gamson
    Assistant Director
    Frances Jacobson Early Childhood Center at Temple Israel
    Boston, MA
    ------------------------------


  • 2.  RE: Private Kindergarten permitted?

    Posted 06-20-2020 07:56 AM

    Jenny:

    State regulations still need to be followed.  I would contact your DEEC licensor for the best information.  



    ------------------------------
    Aren Stone
    she/her/hers
    Child Development Specialist
    The Early Years Project
    Cambridge, MA
    ------------------------------



  • 3.  RE: Private Kindergarten permitted?

    Posted 06-24-2020 02:25 PM
    Dear Jenny,

    That's a great question! Our early learning program accreditation assessment is designed to include kindergarten, however it is the program's choice to include the age category. The recommended best practices and direct assessment items within NAEYC's research based standards can help guide your program in developing a kindergarten class to add to your program's current accreditation. You can find the assessment items and tools on our website at https://www.naeyc.org/accreditation/early-learning/tools.
    Should you choose to add kindergarten to your program, you will simply need to update your accreditation portal to reflect the new class and create a portfolio for the new age category. There is no additional application or fees to add a class (unless it increases your enrollment numbers to a new fee level) and NAEYC will assess the new age category on your next accreditation visit. 
    To discuss next steps for your program, please don't hesitate to email our program support team at accreditation.information@naeyc.org or schedule a telephone consultation on our website at  https://www.naeyc.org/accreditation/early-learning/consultations  


    ------------------------------
    Meghann Hickey
    National Association for the Education of Young Children
    Washington DC
    ------------------------------



  • 4.  RE: Private Kindergarten permitted?

    Posted 06-25-2020 11:40 AM
    Jenny, did you speak to your licensor? 
    I'm in NY state and my licensor said yes I could do it. We are in the process of putting it all together. I think its a great option for the parents in this time of uncertainty, especially if the family has other children in care.

    Marybeth

    ------------------------------
    Marybeth Simoneit
    Director
    LECC
    Niagara Falls NY
    ------------------------------