Waltham Elementary Preschool FAQ

Why We Started a Preschool Program

The state of Illinois designated our school district as being in an "early childhood education desert," meaning that there was a significant lack of access to early childhood education services in our area, making it harder for families to find educational resources for young children.
A Community Engagement Meeting with staff, board members, and community members was held in July of 2022, where we had lengthy conversations about the challenges we faced as an early childhood education desert.
We discussed our inability to meet the educational needs of all incoming 3- and 4-year-old students and the growing demand for specialized services, such as speech therapy, occupational therapy, and physical therapy.
After careful consideration of these factors, we prioritized the development of a blended preschool program at Waltham. A blended preschool program combines both typically developing children and children with special needs in the same classroom, allowing for an inclusive environment where all students receive the support and education they need to thrive.

Despite our current space constraints, we believe this initiative is crucial for our community. Our district is short at least seven classrooms; our preschool only uses one classroom.

The Financial Impact of Starting a Preschool Program Despite Space Constraints

When a child with a developmental delay turns 3 years old and lives within our district, it becomes our responsibility to support their education, regardless of whether we have a preschool program in place.

This responsibility includes providing for their individual needs, such as tuition, transportation, and related services like speech therapy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and social work.

The cost for each student ranges from $60,000 to $100,000 annually.

In the 3 years prior to starting our preschool program, the district spent over $222,000 to send preschool students to other developmental programs to meet their individual needs.

These costs are fully the responsibility of the home school district, ensuring that every child receives the support they need.

Key Details

Cost to the District: The first year's cost to the district, including transportation, was substantial yet essential for the long-term benefits of our students. After completing a cost analysis, it was determined to be more cost effective to provide our own blended preschool program than to send our students out of district to meet their academic and related service needs as per their individualized education plans (IEP).
Tuition-Based Program & Cost:

In-district tuition $130/month per student
Out-of-district tuition $180/month per student
In-district students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) do not pay tuition as per state regulations in Illinois.
We also are open to taking other school district's students with developmental needs based on their lack of programming. Those school districts would pay our district tuition for this program which is different than the "out-of-district" tuition amount.

Enrollment:
- 2023/2024: 31 students
- 2024/2025: 35 students

Dress-up & play

Cooperation & collaboration

Imagination & creativity

Benefits of Early Education

Catching Needs Early: We are now able to identify and address student needs sooner, including speech, behavioral, and academic challenges.
Continuity of Curriculum: Our preschool program provides the building blocks for a seamless and successful educational journey. We now have the ability to introduce vocabulary, routines, and the foundational language of our curriculum two years earlier.
Strengthening Our Community: With students aged 3 to 14 under one roof, we foster a strong, cohesive community.
Exemplar Education: Our preschool now becomes the foundation for the exemplar education that Waltham has always provided.

Join Us in Building a Strong Foundation for Our Youngest Learners!