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Early Childhood Special Education

Preschool informational brochure and interest form

2008 Summer Options for Parents with Preschoolers

Program Philosophy

The Early Childhood Education Special Education program is a child-centered program devoted to meeting each child's unique needs. Our concern is for the whole child. We strive to provide a safe and nurturing environment in which to foster each child's cognitive, social, emotional and motor development.

We believe that children learn best through meaningful play. Learning is encouraged through selected play activities that are appropriate for each child's age and developmental level. Skills are integrated across activities. The teachers serve as facilitators to guide children in their interactions with the varied learning opportunities. Activities are primarily child-oriented and child-directed.

Center-Based Classrooms

Classrooms are divided into interest centers, such as art, dramatic play, block building, manipulatives, sensory and language. Materials and activities at each interest center are individualized for the children. Busy and quiet activities alternate and time is set aside for the children to meet as a group with the teacher for planned activity. Self-help activities are also addressed. Through play and self-initiated learning, the children refine the motor, thinking and language skills necessary for success in school. Field trips, special programs and additional staff in the elementary building help provide extra enrichment in music, art, computer literacy, and physical education.

Students

The three-to-five year-old children served by the preschool reflect the makeup of the general population. This diversity helps to build a foundation of compassion and acceptance toward a variety of people. Included are typical peers who operate at a level of most children their age, and children with developmental delays that may affect speech or communication, muscular coordination, hearing or sight development.

Staff

A state certified teacher and educational assistant lead each class. Children with special needs receive support from speech/language, occupational and physical therapists within the classroom setting. Specific goals are developed for each child by the team, and children may work individually or in groups. All children in the program benefit from interaction with the therapists as they work collaboratively with staff on overall program goals and objectives.

Parent Involvement

As the most important people in a child's life, parents are encouraged to participate in their child's learning experiences. Classroom advisory boards, parent-teacher conferences and parent workshops and socials are ways in which the family and school can begin to fulfill the partnership in which we so strongly believe.

Itinerant Services

Certified teachers are available to serve children with disabilities in the child's familiar environment, whether that be Head Start, home or child care settings. Through play and individualized attention the child's goals are addressed individually or within a group.

Class Sizes, Hours

Children attend half-day sessions 2.5 hours long. Each class has 12 students of mixed ages (3-5 years). The preschool follows the normal nine-month school schedule, and regular holidays are observed.