Preschool

Purpose

The South Boston Neighborhood House was founded in 1901 and has a long history of offering programs for children. Its modern childcare program is designed primarily for working parents and their children. Agency goals in the provision of quality childcare are two fold: providing support to working families and promoting the growth of the children in our care. Our priority is to serve children from the community, including children who may have special needs.

Program

The Early Education and Care Preschool Program is a full-time program which offers services for children 2.9 –six years of age. The program operates year round, Monday – Friday from 7:30 am – 5:30 pm. Breakfast, lunch and snack are provided each day. The program offers three classrooms staffed with a lead teacher, one or two teachers and an assistant teacher to care for and educate the children. The Program Director is responsible for the overall operation of the Preschool.

The Early Education and Care Preschool Program’s objectives are to meet the social, emotional, physical, and intellectual needs of each child at various stages of development. The trained and dedicated teachers offer a wide variety of developmentally appropriate activities in a safe, comfortable and nurturing environment. The setting offers children the opportunity to develop socialization skills through interaction with peers. An age appropriate curriculum is provided with activities that will enhance the social and academic development of the children. Multicultural activities, especially those reflective of the program population, are incorporated into the curriculum. Teachers are trained to respect individual differences in maturation, interests, and personality and to support the development of each child's sense of positive self-esteem.

The program encourages close communication between parents and teachers as we work together in the child's interest. Parents are welcome to visit at any time, and to consult with us if they have any concerns about their child or any feedback about our program.

Hours

South Boston Neighborhood House Preschool is open 7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Monday – Friday throughout the year. We ask that children are dropped off at the center by 9:00 a.m. Bringing the child later causes disruptions in programming.

The Preschool is closed fourteen days throughout the year for observed Holidays and Staff In-Service Training. Listings of these days are distributed each year and posted in the classrooms.

Facility

The preschool building is located at 1187 Columbia Road (at the Preble Street Rotary in Moakley Park). The classrooms are equipped with computers, and each classroom has appropriate play space and learning materials. There is a tot lot playground adjacent to the building that is used each day for outdoor playtime. The building is handicapped accessible.

Licensing and Accreditation

The preschool program is licensed by the Department of Early Education and Care (EEC), formerly Office of Child Care Services (OCCS) to ensure that SBNH has met necessary requirements and maintains the highest standards of care. The program also is accredited by National Association of Education for Young Children (NAEYC).

Cost

The Private Pay cost of the preschool is currently $185/week. Subsidized tuition for income-eligible families is available from the Department of Early Education and Care and the voucher program administered by Child Care Choices of Boston.

Fees and Payment

Payments are due every Friday by 5:30 p.m. All fees are to be paid during the week prior to the week to which the payment applies. Parents who wish to pay monthly, bi-weekly, or semi-monthly must notify the Parent Billing Clerk of these plans. Checks are to be made out to the "South Boston Neighborhood House" or "SBNH". (Please take note of our “Bounced Check Policy”)

SBNH requires a two-week notice prior to withdrawal from any program. The parent/guardian is responsible for paying the fee during these two weeks, regardless of attendance during this period.

For more information contact Lori Hartnett, Director (617) 269-4090 or email at lhartnett@sbnh.org