Where To?
3-and 4-Year Old Program
Your child must be
3 years old
by August 31 of his or her year of enrollment
to participate in this program.
Pre-K Program
Your child must be
4 years old
by August 31 of his or her year of enrollment
to participate in this program.
Program options
Enrollment at The Wilder School!
Wilder Memorial Nursery School · Founded in 1924 · Hingham, MA
Important!
Your child must be 3 years old by August 31st of his or her enrollment year.
Key Questions and Criteria
How old does my child need to be to attend your program? Your child must be 3 years old by August 31 of the year they wish to enroll.
When should I apply? You may call the school and request an enrollment packet in the Fall or anytime before March 1st (applications must be received by March 1st). South Hingham residents must apply by January 15th, in order to have a preference. Enrollment runs from November of the previous year through February. Applications to Wilder are accepted from November through February. Due to the large number of applications for admission, a lottery to determine enrollment, and managed the Wilder Board, is held in early March. The results of the lottery are mailed out immediately.
South Hingham
residents
South Hingham residents must apply by Jan 1 in order to have a preference.
What is the application process? Enrollment cards must be received by March 1st. A lottery will be held Mid-March, you will be notified by mail immediately after the lottery. South Hingham residents must apply by January 15th, in order to have a preference.
How long is your program? Each of our programs run for 3 hours. Morning are 8:30 - 11:30 and Afternoons are 12:30 - 3:30.
topCan I come in an observe the school before I apply? Unfortunately we cannot accommodate the large number of families that apply to our school and we feel that it is very disruptive to our classes that are in session. We have an Open House in January where the families can get a tour of the school and meet the staff as well as some current Wilder families. If you did not have a chance to attend the Open House and your child gets a spot from the lottery, we will make arrangements for you to view the school prior to accepting a spot.
What are the days of your program? For the 3's we have a two morning class, Tuesday and Thursday, a three morning class, Monday, Wednesday and Friday and a three afternoon class, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. For the 4's we have a three morning class, Monday, Wednesday and Friday, five mornings Monday thru Friday and a four afternoon class, Monday thru Thursday.
What are the chances of getting in if you are placed on a waitlist? Historically there tends to be some movement with preschool openings. We ask our families to sign a contract shortly after the lottery. If we don't receive the contract we immediately go to the waitlist. You may call the school to find out where you are on the waitlist.
topDo you give preference to family members? Yes we do give preference to former or current Wilder families. After family members we give preference to families that live in South Hingham. Why? The Wilder Memorial Educational Trust, separate and independent of the nursery school, is administered by a Board of Trustees. The Trust, endowed by our Benefactor, Martin Wilder, allows the nursery school the use of the Wilder building. Since 1924 it has been stipulated by the Trust that there be a preferences for admission to the nursery school for "... members of the South Parish" of Hingham. The preference also applies to immediate family members of former Wilder students. South Hingham residents must apply by January 15th, in order to have a preference. Family members of the Wilder School staff also have a preference for enrollment.