Integrated Preschool Program
In accordance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, children at the age of 3 may be eligible to receive Special Education or Related Services through their public school. Southington Public Schools provides those services on a continuum which includes an integrated preschool located at Hatton Elementary School and Strong Elementary School. If you think your child may be eligible for these services, please refer to the Parent Concerns section below or contact Hatton Elementary School at 860-628-3377 x300 or the Pupil Services Department at 860-628-3200 x 10332.
The Integrated Preschool program has typically developing children who serve as community peers or models for the students who require special education. Applications are available online using the link below. Updated applications are typically available starting at the beginning of December. Applications are also available at the Board of Education in the Pupil Personnel Services Office or by calling 860-628-3200 x10332 to request an application by mail.
Preschool Program Application Form 2024-2025 - No longer accepting applications.
Preschool Handbook - Please reach out to the Pupil Services Department with any specific questions regarding the preschool program.
The first day for preschool is the Tuesday following Labor Day.
Parent Concerns
Do you have concerns about your child’s development, speech and language skills, or behavior? Please complete the Parent Concern form below or request one from Hatton Elementary School at 860-628-3377 x 300.
A member of the preschool team will contact you to determine the appropriate next steps for your child. Possibilities may include, information about age appropriate levels of development, suggestions of activities to engage typically developing children in the home, a nursery school/daycare observation/consultation or a referral to special education. If a referral to special education is made, you will be invited to a Planning and Placement Team meeting that will consider if an evaluation for special education is needed. If an evaluation is needed, the evaluation is free. The evaluation is done when there are concerns regarding a child's development, speech and language skills, and/or behavior that may result in the child having an educational disability that requires special education.
Developmental evaluations are completed by our preschool team which includes special education teachers, a speech and language pathologist, a school psychologist, occupational therapist, and/or physical therapist. Evaluations take place two Fridays per month from 9:00-11:30 in a naturalistic preschool environment with other preschool aged children.
Registering for the Integrated Preschool Program
Children who have been accepted into the integrated preschool program, whether via special education or as a community peer, must be registered students before starting.
Additional Resources
Sparkler App
Families can download the free Sparkler app that can be used as a developmental screening tool, a source for activities to support healthy early childhood development and to assist parents with making connections with professionals.
Get started today: Download Sparkler from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store. Enter the access code SouthingtonPS to register in Connecticut. Pick Family/Familia as your group. Skip the “Provider Key,” and you’re in! Access the Ages & Stages Questionnaires® from home — or wherever you are — plus evidence-based and FUN do-together activities that you can play with your 0-5 year old to spark their growing heart, mind, body, and words!
Parents with concerns about their child’s development can request a free preschool screening by submitting the Preschool Speech/Developmental Screening Request Form found above.
Questions, please email the district at Catharine Goralski.
