About Us
The Somerville Public Schools Department of Early Education and Care ensures that all children in Somerville have equitable access to high-quality early learning experiences. We oversee preschool programming in public schools and partner with community-based providers through a mixed delivery model to support kindergarten readiness. By promoting strong instructional practices, integrating special education and intervention supports, and connecting families to resources, we prepare young learners to thrive.
Mission
As a collaborative community, our mission is to ensure that all children have equitable access to rich learning environments and experiences. We affirm their identities by fostering their tenacity, empathy, agency, and self-awareness through joyous learning.
Our vision: For all children to thrive every day, in every way.
SEE Values
Child, family, and educator-centered
At the heart of this ecosystem are the educators, families, and children we serve. Their voice and needs are at the center of everything we do.
Respectful and compassionate
We approach educators as partners, respecting and valuing the experience and knowledge they bring. We adopt a holistic data-informed approach to ensure our work and decisions are unbiased and rooted in understanding.
Adaptive and inclusive
We build processes and structures that create a community of belonging and are responsive to the needs of all children, families, and educators.
Collaborative, reciprocal, aligned
Caregivers, educators, and administrators all play a critical role in helping children thrive. We strive to start from shared goals and understanding—and to work collaboratively between all stakeholders.
Asset-based
We are committed to uplifting the voices, expertise, and best practices in our community of families and educators. Recognizing the strengths in the system provides a positive framing for all stakeholders.
Proactive and holistic
We strive to support all children, especially children with special needs, proactively so that educators and caregivers have what they need to support the whole child.
Curious and open-minded
There is something to learn from every situation and person. We approach with curiosity and willingness to learn and even change our perspective.
Critical and reflective
We encourage a culture of constantly reflecting on the way things are so we can identify how to improve.
Our Approach
The Somerville Early Education team ensures that each influential factor of a child’s experience in the classroom is well-structured and supported for collective success. This includes:
Assessment
Through our universal screening practices, our educators and caregivers build a comprehensive understanding of each child’s development. Assessments ensure that each of our children’s unique learning rights are met with personalized support and attention from their educators and care team.
Tiered Instruction
Our commitment to the Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) framework and tiered instruction offers each child multiple entry points to the classroom environment and curriculum. This approach ensures that each child is adequately engaged and supported by their educators, the classroom environment, and curriculum.
Professional Learning
Our coaching and professional development opportunities ensure that all of our educators have access to tools and resources that help nurture their teaching styles, expertise, and careers.
Partnerships
We build bridges between families, educators and service providers to ensure that as a collective, we are all well-connected, coordinated, and supported in providing children with quality education and care.
High Quality Instructional Materials
Through a vast repository of high quality instructional materials, we ensure each child receives a well-rounded academic curriculum that meets a high standard.
Meet Our Team
Regina DiNunzio
Somerville Partnership for Young Children Coordinator
Valerie Giltinan
Early Childhood Instructional Coach
Jessica Ferris
Early Childhood Instructional Coach
Liz Dean
Itinerant Speech and Language Pathologist
Nyralee Chhotu
Itinerant Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA)
Kate Kane
SPYC Professional Development Access Coordinator/Mentor
Courtney O’Connell
Itinerant Somerville Early Education Curriculum Lending Library (SEECLL) Office Assistant