Hamilton Avenue School launched a pilot program for extended day preschool this month, expanding access to high-quality early childhood education at no additional cost for local families. The program’s curriculum was designed as an extension of Greenwich United Way’s Early Childhood Achievement Gap Solutions (ECAGS).
Thanks to the generosity of a donor to the Greenwich United Way, families of Hamilton Avenue students now have the option of extending their preschooler’s day with a later dismissal, allowing more flexibility for working parents while students benefit from additional hours in the classroom with their teachers. The new program, PreK Play, debuted earlier this month with 16 students enrolled. The program is staffed by two GPS teachers as liaisons and three paraprofessionals provide instruction to the students.
“The PreK Play program at Hamilton Avenue is proving to be a vital success, transforming the hours after school into a launchpad for our youngest learners,” said Kathryn Natale, program coordinator for preschool and out-of-district placements with Greenwich Public Schools. “By blending a safe, familiar environment with intentional play-based enrichment, we’re not just supporting working families, we’re ensuring every child, regardless of background, gains the confidence and socialemotional foundation essential for long-term academic success.”
Working from its ECAGS expertise, Greenwich United Way collaborated with Greenwich Public Schools to develop the timing and structure of the PreK Play program. Greenwich United Way’s preschool instructional coach (PSIC) serves as an advisor with the goal of PreK Play mirroring the school day curriculum.
“Hamilton Avenue School’s extended preschool day reflects the type of evidence-based, partnership-driven solutions we aim to advance through our Early Childhood Achievement Gap Solutions program as we work to narrow the achievement gap in Greenwich,” said David Rabin, CEO of Greenwich United Way. “High-quality early childhood experiences are among the strongest predictors of long-term academic success. By removing cost barriers and expanding access, we help ensure more Greenwich children enter kindergarten ready to thrive. The program will be evaluated throughout the school year to assess outcomes and explore opportunities for expansion to additional schools.”
