PreK Information
WCUUSD Information for 2026-2027 Preschool
Online registration opens Monday, February 2, 2026
Dear Families,
Washington Central Unified Union School District (WCUUSD) will offer half-day (morning or afternoon), full-week (Monday-Friday) programming for Pre-Kindergarten students. The school-based programs will provide 12.5 hours of preschool services per week—exceeding the state mandate—with extended care options available for a fee through Community Connections. The current plan for PreK sites is a morning or afternoon program at Rumney, a morning and afternoon session at Berlin, and a morning and afternoon session at EMES. All contingent on enrollment and our elementary school configuration. PreK enrollment begins on February 2 and our configuration vote is on February 10, so we will make final decisions on program locations no earlier than these dates and most likely not until mid to late March.
Key Registration Dates
- Monday, February 2, 2026: Online registration opens.
- Friday, March 27, 2026: Recommended deadline for public Pre-K registration.
- Note: 4-year-olds are given priority until this date. After 3/27, placements are first-come, first-served.
Eligibility Requirements
- Pre-K 3: Children who turn 3 on or before September 1, 2026.
- Pre-K 4: Children who turn 4 or 5 (and are not in Kindergarten) on or before September 1, 2026.
- Kindergarten: Children who turn 5 on or before September 1, 2026. (If your child currently attends a WCUUSD public Pre-K, they are already registered for Kindergarten.)
- Residency: Families must live in Berlin, Calais, East Montpelier, Middlesex, or Worcester. Additional spots may be available to non-residents through Act 166.
How to Register
- Visit www.wcuusd.org.
- Click the “Online Registration” icon in the lower-right corner.
- Complete the and send the Pre-K Health Examination form.
- Complete the online registration and receive final approval from your school of residence to secure your child’s placement or waitlist spot.
Introductions & Screenings
Play-based introductions and screenings will be held in late spring. Dates and locations will be announced soon.
Contact Information
For questions regarding Pre-K, Act 166, or Community Connections extended care, contact Kimberly Bolduc at Kbolduc@u32.org or 802-223-7936, ext. 305.
For registration-specific questions, please call your local school:
- Berlin Elementary: 802-223-2796
- Calais Elementary: 802-454-7777
- Doty Memorial (Worcester): 802-223-5656
- East Montpelier Elementary: 802-223-7936
- Rumney Memorial (Middlesex): 802-223-5429
If you have concerns about your child’s development, contact our Special Education team: Bess Powers (bpowers@u32.org) or Dawn Dumas (ddumas@u32.org), or call them at 802-223-2796.
Community Connections: 2026-2027 Pre-K Information
Status: Registration paperwork for the 2026-2027 school year will be available this Spring.
About the Program
Community Connections (CC) is a licensed, school-based Pre-Kindergarten program designed to support district families by providing high-quality childcare that aligns with the work week.
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Experience: We have provided childcare services to the community for the past 24 years, with 15 years dedicated to Pre-K programming.
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Staffing: Our highly trained staff collaborates closely with school faculty to ensure a seamless, positive transition for your child.
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Eligibility: Open to children ages 3–5 at local schools.
Schedule & Operations
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Days of Operation: We operate every day that the school-based Pre-K programs are open.
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Hours: While most schools offer a full-day/full-week childcare option, specific schedules vary by location based on space and staff availability.
Registration & Costs
Pre-Kindergarten registration is handled online via the Washington Central website (wcuusd.org).
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Program Details: Specific schedules and cost sheets for the upcoming fall are typically posted in July. Examples of current costs are included in the information linked below.
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Where to find info: Links to the 2026-2027 schedule and rates will be posted on the Community Connections page or your specific school’s website once finalized, the site is under construction.
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Questions: For specific inquiries, please contact Kimberly Bolduc at kbolduc@u32.org or call (802)223-7936 x305. Please include your town of residence with your inquiry.
Enrollment Priority & Timeline
Placement for the upcoming school year is determined using the following priority structure:
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Returning Students: Guaranteed first placement.
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Age Priority: Priority is given to incoming 4-year-olds, followed by 3-year-olds.
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New Students: Enrolled at the time of the "Meet and Greet."
Final placement confirmations will be sent to families by July
Pre-K Registration Fast Facts
1. Enrollment & Registration
- New Students (Public or Private Act 166): If you are enrolling in a Pre-K program for the first time, you must complete the full online registration. Click the "Online Registration" icon on this page to begin.
- Continuing Public Pre-K Students: If your child is currently enrolled in one of our public Pre-K programs, no action is required.
- Continuing Private Act 166 Students: If you completed online enrollment last year and are staying in a private program, you do not need to register again. You only need to complete the 2026-2027 Act 166 Universal Pre-K Tuition Request form.
- Switching from Private to Public: If your child attends a private Act 166 program and you wish to switch to the school Pre-K program, please complete the online registration. Note: You do not need to resubmit proof of residency or age.
2. Important Paperwork Requirements
- Tuition Agreements: For Private Act 166 enrollments, we cannot authorize funding agreements with your provider until ALL required paperwork is submitted.
- Deadlines: Failure to submit paperwork on time may result in the withholding of tuition discounts.
3. Changes & Questions
- Exiting the Program: If your child leaves a Public or Private Pre-K program before the end of the year, please complete the Student Exit Form and return it to the administrative assistant at your town's school.
- Contact Us: When emailing questions, please specify which school you are trying to register at, or have inquiries about, so we can assist you faster.