Mission Statement:

Our mission is to provide children with a high quality preschool education that meets the unique developmental needs of all preschool age children.  Our mission includes the following elements:

Provision of rich opportunities to increase children’s language, social play, motor and academic readiness.

Maintenance of close communication and collaboration with families and guardians.

Philosophy:

Natick Preschool believes that each child has individual needs.  We believe that children need varied and rich learning opportunities that are developmentally appropriate, built upon success, and provided in a nurturing and safe environment.  Because children develop and learn at different rates, Natick Preschool embraces diversity, providing a broad spectrum of learning opportunities and instructional strategies in language-based classrooms that address the needs of students with and without disabilities.  Natick Preschool believes that children learn most effectively within natural social settings that include ample opportunities to play.  Embedded in the everyday preschool routines are opportunities for children to increase their language, social skills, play and academic readiness.  The Natick Preschool believes that families play an integral part of a quality preschool experience.  Maintaining close and ongoing communication and collaboration between families and staff is a high priority.

Director's Message from Interim Integrated Preschool Director, Cori Jacomme:

The Natick Preschool is a district-wide integrated preschool program which provides programming for children with special needs as well as community children. The Natick Preschool is a program for three- and four-year old children. Our teachers are highly qualified, certified special education specialists. All classroom sessions provide developmentally appropriate curriculum experiences in a state-of-the-art preschool facility.  Community enrolled children serve as role models for children with disabilities in the skill areas of language, socialization, play and motor growth in our integrated model.  All students must be three years of age and Natick residents to enroll.

The Natick Preschool staff consists of teachers with advanced degrees and specially trained Paraprofessionals, Speech/Language, Occupational, Physical and Behavioral Therapists are an integral part of the program. Their expertise benefits the global curriculum experience.  In addition, a School Psychologist, specializing in preschool age development, is also part of the highly skilled staff. 

Please feel free to email Cori Jacomme at: cjacomme@natickps.org.

Virtual Tour:

Natick Preschool's integrated program offers unique educational features such as:

• Teachers are highly qualified, certified special education specialists.

• Developmentally appropriate, language-based curriculum experiences aligned with Massachusetts Preschool Curriculum Standards and Common Core.

• Small group and individual attention for students.

• Therapies integrated into classroom activities when appropriate, benefiting the development of all children.

• Opportunities for children to develop friendships, fostering an understanding and acceptance of individual differences.

• Emphasis on the development of increased independence, language development, and play.

Please click HERE to view our virtual tour of Natick Preschool.

School Council:

As outlined in the Education Reform Act of 1993, the School Council is comprised of representatives from the parent body, the school staff, and the community at large.  Elections are held to ensure that all parents and staff have a full opportunity for representation.  The council has specific responsibilities that include, but are not limited to, examining the following topics:

• Class size and impact on student achievement

• School budget

• School climate, safety, and discipline

• Enhancement of parental involvement

• Professional development

In addition, the council is charged with assisting the principal with the development of an annual School Improvement Plan that will identify areas of concern, establish explicit goals, state objectives, name persons charged with various responsibilities, and determine a timeline for measurable outcomes. In determining areas for improvement, the School Council takes guidance from the following sources:

• NCLB Goals and Indicators

• Common Core State Standards

• Natick Public Schools District Mission and Goals

• The Natick Public Schools’ Benchmarks for Learning

• The school’s core values and analysis of student learning