Preschool Mission

Our mission is to provide an early education program that fosters each child’s social, emotional, physical and cognitive growth through developmentally appropriate experiences to become independent, confident and successful learners. We validate the cultural and linguistic heritage of each child.

Parent Commitment

Parents are an important part of preschool. You are your child’s first teacher. During the first four years, you have taught your child many things, such as how to use a fork or spoon, drink from a cup, play games, sing, and many other things. In preschool, you will continue your role as a teacher. Parents are always welcome to visit the preschool at any time. Parents are strongly encouraged to work in the classroom for a minimum of three hours a month and participate in typical school activities or any other special activities.

Hours of Operation

The preschool program follows the GUSD elementary instructional calendar closely. Our program is three hours a day, Mondays through Fridays. We offer a morning session and an afternoon session. Hours vary from site to site. We are at three different school sites. All state preschool sites are licensed by Community Care Licensing, Department of Social Services.

Staff

Teachers are fully qualified meeting all state requirements. Staff attends in-service trainings to ensure continuous professional growth. Classes maintain a ratio of one adult to eight children. The district's preschool programs admit students based on eligibility standards. It does not discriminate based on sex, race, religion, ethnicity or physical handicap. The program does not practice religious instruction or worship.

Program Curriculum

The GUSD State Preschool Program utilizes a variety of strategies that incorporate developmentally appropriate practices to ensure that when students leave our program they are ready to start kindergarten with a sound beginning in the California Preschool Learning Foundations. Kindergarten teachers continually praise the academic and social/emotional readiness of our students. Ultimately this good start improves young children’s learning and developmental outcomes so that they may be successful throughout their school years. The Desired Results Developmental Profile– Preschool (DRDP-PS) assessment is administered twice yearly. Teachers refer to the individual developmental profiles and the summary of all of the developmental profiles for the classroom as a guide for planning. Staff integrates developmentally appropriate activities into lesson plans that meet all student’s needs based on the California Preschool Learning Foundations. These activities provide opportunities for the children to progress to the next level of development and understanding. Included are varied opportunities throughout the day to develop and improve academic, large and fine motor skills, oral language development, and social/emotional skills.

Dual Language Learning Strategies

We use the Guided Language Acquisition Design strategies to develop English language acquisition, academic achievement and cross-cultural skills. The Guided Language Acquisition Design (GLAD) provides an organizational structure for an integrated, balanced literacy approach. The integration, of listening, speaking, reading, and writing into all content areas and the interrelating of science, social studies, and literature with each other are strategies that are easily incorporated into our Houghton Mifflin curriculum. These strategies foster a risk-free, cross-culturally sensitive environment where students are able to acquire academic language and concepts. Although, this model is for dual language learners it is valuable for acquisition of language for all students. The structure, strategies, and classroom implications, are invaluable in a multilingual setting. GLAD is a United State Department of Education, OBEMLA, Project of Academic Excellence; a California Department of Education Exemplary Program. It is also highlighted as a California Department of Education “Best Practices” program. In addition to GLAD, the preschool also incorporates the Sobrato Early Academic Language (SEAL) model. This program is being implemented in PK-3rd grade classrooms in GUSD. SEAL starts English Learners with a language-rich preschool program that prepares them for kindergarten. The kinder program builds seamlessly from this preschool experience, developing the skills and language foundation needed for academic success in grades 1-3 and beyond. It is an articulated approach that knits together the preschool and primary grades in a coherent pathway to academic success.

State Preschool program is a free educational program for preschool children who meet income and age eligibility requirements and reside in the Gilroy Unified School District attendance area. Eligibility is determined by current California Department of Education Child Development Division regulation based on family size and income.

Enrollment is not on a first-come basis. Preschool applications are ranked according to California Education Department's income requirements.

Priority for enrollment of eligible students is based on the following:

• Must be a Gilroy resident
• The first priority for services shall be given to three-year-old or four-year-old children who are recipients of child protective services or who are at risk of being neglected, abused, or exploited and for whom there is a written referral from a legal, medical, or social service agency.

• The complete list of priority for enrollment is available online through the California Department of Education website.

• Santa Clara County Childcare Resource & Referral Program
• Phone: 669-212-KIDS (5437)
• Email: childcarescc@sccoe.org

The Childcare Resource & Referral (R&R) Program provides every family with the information they need to access high-quality early care and education that meets their specific preferences. The R&R also supports the full variety of early care and education providers in the county with access to a system that aids their programmatic and financial success. 

Enrollment for the fall begins in May by appointment. Applications are available at 240 Swanston Lane beginning in April. We provide the enrollment packets ahead of time so you may have enough time to gather the required documentation.

Required documentation to bring with you at the time of your appointment. INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED

• PROOF OF INCOME FOR ALL INDIVIDUALS COUNTED IN THE FAMILY SIZE: Pay stubs representing the past 30 days from your appointment date. Ensure that the pay stubs are recent and that the dates are consecutive. Missing stubs will NOT be accepted.

• Families with varying income (migrant, agricultural, or seasonal work) must submit income verification for the past 12 consecutive months. Missing paystubs will NOT be accepted. Payroll summary for the past 12 months are acceptable.
• Proof of any other income (unemployment, child support, TANF, cash aid, disability, social security, etc.) for the past 30 days
• Authorization to Contact Employer Form (form is in the enrollment packet)
• Self-employed parents must submit: copy of most recent tax returns with a statement of current estimated income for tax purpose, a letter from the source of income (i.e. customers), other business records like ledgers or business logs, profit & loss, etc.
• Physical Exam (done within a year of first day of class) May be pending for registration but must be turned in before the 1st day of school
• Immunization Record- Children will not be admitted without required immunizations or TB assessment
• Polio (3 series)  DTP (4 series)
• MMR (1 series on or after the first birthday)
• Hib (1 series on or after the first birthday)
• Hep B (3 series)  Var (1 series)
• TB Test- The child is to be evaluated for risk factors for tuberculosis as part of his or her medical assessment. A child is only required to have a Mantoux skin test for tuberculosis if determined to be necessary by a physician based on the child’s risk factors for tuberculosis.
• Copy of birth certificates of all your children in the household under the age of 18 years old
• Proof of address: rental receipts or agreements, contracts, utility bills □ Enrollment Packet

If applicable

• Individualized Education Program (IEP)
• Records of Foster Care placements, legal guardianship