Vermont’s Early Learning Standards provide the basis for 10 hours per week of state-funded developmentally-appropriate early development and learning experiences. Prekindergarten education is limited to the academic year (September – June)

There are three criteria for receiving Act 166 funds through the Essex Westford School District:
1. You are a resident of Essex Junction, Essex, or Westford
2. Your child is at least 3 years old on September 1st
3. Your child is enrolled in an Act 166-qualified prekindergarten program
 

You must register your child with the school district in order to receive Act 166 funds

• Online registration information and links are available on our Act 166 Registration page
• Paper versions of registration materials are available upon request; please email Johanna at jsimmons@ewsd.org

• No; we offer rolling admission
• Please keep in mind, however, that Act 166 funds are only distributed during the school year. Enrollment prior to the September 1st start date is recommended
• Act 166 fund distribution begins only when the child is fully registered with the school district and enrolled in a qualified preschool program
• Act 166 fund distribution is pro-rated based on a September 1st start date

• Although EWSD begins accepting new student registration for the upcoming school year in January, actual enrollment does not take place until the summer. The district will send confirmation of enrollment via email starting in July
• The district will confirm mid-year enrollments via email on a case-by-case basis

• No; the school district will carry over your registration
• The school district will send an e-mail in the spring to verify that your child’s registration will carry over to the following school year

Proof of residency must include the property address and the name of the parent/legal guardian/custodian. The EWSD requires three proofs of residency:

• Category A - ONE of the following:
  
  • Current property tax bill
  • Current mortgage statement or real estate closing paperwork
  • Copy of Lease Agreement
  • Landlord Certification Form
• Category B - and TWO of the following:
  • Valid Vermont driver's license/ID card
  • Recent bank statement
  • Current utility bill
  • Valid voter registration card
  • Valid automobile insurance card
  • Other documents which, at the discretion of the District, serve as adequate proof of residency

Yes. The Essex Westford School District requires complete registration for each individual child, including proofs of residency.

• Access the EWSD PowerSchool Parent Portal: http://ewsd.powerschool.com/public and log into your existing parent account
• Select Account Preferences >Student Tab >Add from the left menu
• Enter your new student's name, Access ID, and Access Password (emailed to you after submission of the EWSD Act 166 Pre-Registration form)
• Once linked, make sure that your new student's name appears in the blue ribbon located in the top left of the website and navigate to Forms to complete registration

• The Vermont Department for Children and Families, Child Development Division maintains a database of all prekindergarten programs; visit its website to search the Bright Futures Provider Directory
• Visit the district’s website for a list of current partner programs
• Ask the Director or a staff member at the program you are considering

Call us! We will see if the prekindergarten program meets the criteria to partner with us

Let us know if/when you change pre-K programs. If you enroll your child in another qualified program, the funds will follow your child

No. EWSD’s prekindergarten programs (at Essex Elementary, Hiawatha Elementary, Summit Street School, and Westford School) cover the 10 hours/week that Vermont students are entitled to

You do not need to have secured a spot in an Act 166-qualified program in order to register with the school district, and so there is no need to delay registration. Keep in mind that your child will need to be enrolled in an Act 166-qualified program in order for the actual funding to be distributed

• Your child’s partner program will invoice the school district quarterly
• Funding is sent from the school district directly to the partner program
• Partner programs will reduce your tuition accordingly
• Please note: Partner programs cannot charge you for tuition covered by Act 166 (10 hours/week for 35 weeks, adjusted for pro-rating if applicable)

$3,656.00 per student

• Act 166 funding is distributed in proportion to your child’s dual enrollment in the school district and a qualified pre-K program. We keep track of when we receive your completed registration packet, and we communicate with the partner pre-K programs regarding start date
• The annual Act 166 funds are divided by the 35 week school year, which means that funding for 2022-2023 is about $104.45 per week
• Here are a few examples of how we might pro-rate Act 166 funding:

• Enrolled in pre-K program: June 1st
• Registered with the school district: July 15th
• First day of Act 166 funding: September 1st
• Eligible for entire 35 weeks: $3,656.00

• Enrolled in pre-K program: June 1st
• Registered with the school district: October 1st
• First day of Act 166 funding: October 1st
• Eligible for 31 weeks: $3,237.95

• Enrolled in pre-K program: October 1st
• Registered with the school district: July 15th
• First day of Act 166 funding: October 1st
• Eligible for 31 weeks: $3,237.95

• Enrolled in pre-K program: October 1st
• Registered with the school district: October 1st
• First day of Act 166 funding: October 1st
• Eligible for 31 weeks: $3,237.95

The school district is not involved in any of our partner programs’ billing processes. Our partnership agreements state that the full Act 166 funding must be applied to tuition, but beyond that we are completely separate entities. As such, the school district is not able to address issues surrounding your tuition bills from a partner program

Possibly. Prequalified pre-K programs are required to report extended (10+ consecutive scheduled student days) absences to the student's school district. The school district will follow up with the program and the family regarding the circumstances and will determine whether or not funding is affected

No. Children must be at least 3 years old on September 1st in order to receive Act 166 funding during that school year

If you are no longer a resident of Essex Junction, Essex Town, or Westford, you cannot receive Act 166 through the Essex Westford School District. You may still qualify for Act 166, however, so give us a call. Registration and enrollment in your new school district will be required. We can put you in touch with the Act 166 coordinator at your new school district

Johanna Simmons
jsimmons@ewsd.org