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Winchester Preschool

Inclusion - Service - Innovation

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lynch rendering

 

Winchester Preschool
40 Samoset Road
Winchester, MA 01890

Phone: (781) 721-7013 x4009

Marlena YsalguezDirector of Special Education

mysalguez@winchesterps.org
Sarah Casey, Preschool Supervisor

scasey@winchesterps.org

Melinda Perenick, Administrative Assistant

mperenick@winchesterps.org

 

Regular School Hours:
Morning Preschool: 8:55 AM – 11:30 AM (3 year old only)
Full Day Preschool: 8:55 AM – 2:05 PM (3 & 4 year old)

Early Release Dismissal Time:
Morning & Full Day Preschool: 11:05 AM
 

 

 

Welcome to the Winchester Preschool Program! We are an integral component of the Winchester Public School System as we educate Winchester’s youngest learners ranging in age from three to five years.

Our programs utilize an integrated team approach to instruction and curriculum development. Together, the teams create lesson plans and support students in learning through both work and play. Our six preschool programs together make a comprehensive team of educators, including; teachers certified by the Massachusetts Department of Education, Speech and Language Pathologists, an Occupational Therapist, a Physical Therapist, a School Psychologist, a School Nurse, and Teaching Assistants.

The Vision of Winchester Preschool

To promote the cognitive, language, social, emotional and motor development of our youngest learners by providing programs and services that supports the needs of the individual child and family.

Our instructional concepts are presented through all sensory modalities – a multi-sensory approach. We encourage the children to experiment, explore and discover in all areas of development. What may be viewed as play is truly a rich learning activity for the young inquisitive mind. These learning tasks provide the foundation for learning and promote readiness skills in each learner. Our teams work toward common goals and encourage each child to develop at his or her own pace.

The Winchester Preschool bases comprehensive curriculum development in alignment with the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks, the Guidelines for Preschool Experiences, and the Teaching Strategies GOLD Assessment Tool.

Preschool Screenings

The Winchester Public Schools conducts preschool screenings for Winchester residents ages 3 to 5 years of age in an effort to identify children who may have a disability and are in need of special education support. It is designed to review a child's development and assist in the identification of children who should be referred for further evaluation to determine eligibility for special education services. If you are concerned with your child's development and are concerned that your child may be presenting with a disability, please email Sarah Casey at scasey@winchesterps.org to discuss your concerns.

2026-2027 Lottery Application Process

  • The preschool lottery application process will open on Monday, January 5, 2026, and will close on Friday, January 30, 2026. Applications will be made available on Monday, January 5, 2026.

    To be eligible to apply to the lottery, each applicant must:

    ● be a Winchester resident;

    ● be 3 years of age on or by September 1, 2026;

    ● successfully submit an application through the website, and;

    ● submit the non-refundable application fee

  • On Monday, February 2, 2026 we will hold a lottery for new students to fill available seats as well as to determine the order of the waitlist. Families will be notified by email within 48 hours of the lottery, regarding their acceptance into the program or their child’s position on the waitlist.

  • In order to accept and maintain your child’s position in the preschool program, you will need to make a non-refundable deposit in the amount of $400 for the morning preschool and $800 for the full day preschool by Friday, February 6, 2026. Additional details will be provided with your child’s acceptance letter.

  • Winchester has transitioned to an online registration process. When informed of your child’s acceptance into the preschool, the registration link will be made available to you. In order to maintain your child’s position within the program, we will be requesting that you complete your child’s online registration by Monday, February 23, 2026.

    Please email Sarah Casey at scasey@winchesterps.org for more information.

Tuition Rates

  • 2025-2026

    • Annual tuition is $5,733. Payments are made across 10 months.

    2026-2027

    • Annual tuition is $6,020. Payments are made across 10 months.

  • 2025-2026

    • Annual tuition is $10,915. Payments are made across 10 months.

    2026-2027

    • Annual tuition is $11,460. Payments are made across 10 months.

  • Payments can be made online at: UniPay Gold

Upcoming Events

Preschool News & Updates

June 5, 2025

Upcoming WinPAC Meeting

WinPAC (Winchester's Special Education Parent Advisory Council) Last WinPAC Meeting this Year - Join Us! Date: Monday, June 9, 12:00 1:00 p.m. Location: Zoom . Meeting is open to . . .

June 3, 2025

Link to Summer Enrichment Classes

Hooray! Everything remaining on our Summer Enrichment website will run this summer! If you've already signed your child up for one or more classes, you can expect an email with payment information. . .