East Hampton School District Approves Full-Day Pre-K Program

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The East Hampton Board of Education unanimously approved a contract with the Eleanor Whitmore Early Childhood Center to provide a full-day Universal Pre-K program for the 2015-16 school year at a meeting earlier last week.

The collaborative effort between the Board and the Childhood Center Board resulted in measures that would save costs.

The full day Pre-K program for the 2015-16 school year will be less expensive to operate than the current half-day Pre-K program.

The school district has partnered with the the center since 1996 to offer a half-day Pre-K program, one of the first of its kind on the East End.

The program has grown since its inception and has become an integral part of the local community.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for the children of East Hampton,” Richard Burns, Superintendent of Schools said. “By offering a full-day program, we are providing our youngest students with an opportunity to build a strong and positive foundation for their educational career.”

The research-based curriculum used by the Eleanor Whitmore Early Childhood Center supports and complements the program offered in the East Hampton Schools.

“The program ensures that our students develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills, as well as a curiosity and passion for learning, which provide the educational foundation needed to engender successful students and citizens of the 21st century,” Maureen Wikane, Director of the center said.

Details on enrolling in the full-day pre-K program will be made available within the next several weeks to residents within the district.

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