Preschool Programs
Welcome to the Coal City Unit #1 School Community Preschool housed at the Coal City Early Childhood Center. The District prides itself in the preschool programming that it has developed and implemented over the past nine years. The addition and implementation of programming is determined yearly through a district needs assessment and the availability of at risk preschool grant money. The needs assessment identifies the types of programming that is needed for all of our identified preschool students.
Based on the district’s philosophy toward supporting special education instruction in the least restrictive environment, inclusion classrooms are also established at the preschool level. The program is based on each student’s individual needs. The service delivery is determined after an extensive assessment and/or data review by the district Preschool Diagnostic Team.
The district hosts preschool screenings throughout the year as well as receives referrals from the State Early Intervention program. All screenings include birth to three screenings as well. The district currently provides preschool programming for 160 preschoolers. The following programming and services are offered at the 3-5 year age levels.
Preschool Diagnostic Team
The preschool diagnostic team is comprised of a group of technical experts who can address a myriad of learning and emotional concerns. This team includes the school psychologist, social worker, speech pathologist, special education teachers, occupational and/or physical therapist, nurse, building administrator and Director of Special Populations.
The PDT meets weekly to address concerns from the EC classroom teachers and parents of children with disabilities or suspected disabilities. The team reviews data from screenings to determine if an evaluation is necessary, if the child qualifies for at risk programming or if no intervention is needed. This team also conducts special education evaluations, makes disability diagnoses, develops individual education plans for children in a preschool setting. The team also ensures that transition from birth to three are met in a timely manner. The team will recommend one of the following options when a child qualifies for services.
Birth to Three
The PDT works closely with Child and Family Connections to offer birth to three screenings at all of the preschool screenings offered. A member of the PDT attends the scheduled Local Interagency Council of Will and Grundy Counties meetings. The PDT facilitates the transition meetings to evaluate and determine services (if needed) by the child’s third birthday.
Speech and Language Service
Speech and Language services are available for preschool children. Children may receive individualized pull out services or services provided with the classroom. Group speech services are also available. If a child is not found eligible for one of our preschool programs, they may qualify for walk in speech services.
Blended Preschool for All Classroom
This early childhood program is a half day district blended preschool class offered in both morning and afternoon. There are three sections. This program enrolls 42 identified as at-risk children as well as 18 children with developmental needs. The teachers hold PEL’s with endorsements in Early Childhood Education and English as a Second Language with approvals in Early Childhood Special Education. There are two program paraprofessionals in each classroom and 1:1 paraprofessionals if identified as needs in an IEP. The Early Learning Scale for Preschool Assessment is used as the data collection tool.
This program is funded by the Early Childhood Preschool for All grant as well as local funds.
Blended District Preschool Classroom
This early childhood program is a half day district blended preschool class offered in both morning and afternoon. There are two sections. This program enrolls 28 identified as at-risk children as well as 12 children with developmental needs. The teacher holds a PEL with endorsements in Early Childhood Education and English as a Second Language with an approval in Early Childhood Special Education. There are two program paraprofessionals in the classroom and 1:1 paraprofessionals if identified as needs in an IEP. The Early Learning Scale for Preschool Assessment is used as the data collection tool.
This program is funded by IDEA and local funds.
At-Risk District Preschool Classroom
This early childhood program is a half day district at-risk preschool class offered in the afternoon. There is one section. This program enrolls 20 identified as at-risk children. The teacher holds a PEL with endorsements in Early Childhood Education and approval in Early Childhood Special Education. There is one program paraprofessional in the classroom. The Early Learning Scale for Preschool Assessment is used as the data collection tool.
This program is fully funded by local funds.
Self Contained Special Education Classroom
This early childhood program is a half day district special education preschool class offered in both morning and afternoon. There are four sections. This program enrolls 40 children who qualify for special education. Both teachers holds a PEL with endorsements in Early Childhood Education and approval in Early Childhood Special Education. There is one program paraprofessional in each classroom and 1:1 paraprofessionals if identified as needs in an IEP. The Early Learning Scale for Preschool Assessment is used as the data collection tool.
This program is funded by IDEA and local funds.