early childhood education
Early childhood education provides enriching experiences that help children learn and develop in a number of ways. The early childhood day is focused on building skills that are important for all children. As part of their play in ECE programs, children develop behaviors such as persistence, empathy, problem solving and thinking skills.
Who to Contact
| Name | Title | Phone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| ECEAP Coordinator | 253-583-5155 | ||
| Deana Tuttle | Head Start Coordinator | 253-583-5147 | dtuttle@cloverpark.k12.wa.us |
| Ed Judie | Director for Student Services | 253-583-5153 | ejudie@cloverpark.k12.wa.us |
| Barbara Smith | Director's Secretary | 253-583-5157 | bsmith@cloverpark.k12.wa.us |
| Jacque Richardson | Student Services Assistant | 253-583-5154 | jlrichar@cloverpark.k12.wa.us |
Enrollment in Early Childhood Education
Enrollment for ECEAP and Head Start is year round. Call 253-583-5154 to request enrollment information, or download enrollment applications and information here:
ENGLISH:
SPANISH:
Community Resources for Families with Young Children
Questions and Answers
Q. What is the purpose of Early Childhood Education (ECE)?
A. Early childhood education provides enriching experiences that help children learn and develop in a number of ways. The early childhood day is focused on building skills that are important for all children. As part of their play in ECE programs, children develop behaviors such as persistence, empathy, problem solving and thinking skills. For many children, ECE serves as an equalizer to their peers.
Q. What ECE programs does Clover Park School District offer?
A. ECE is provided through Head Start, the Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP), Early Head Start, and Title I for general education students and through special education preschool programs for students with special needs. Head Start and ECEAP programs are located in ten elementary schools. All programs are half day.
Q. What is the focus for Head Start, ECEAP and Title I programs?
A. The comprehensive programs include preschool, nutrition, parenting skills and health components.
Q. What is the focus of the special education preschool programs?
A. The first type of special education preschool is referred to as an inclusive special education preschool. In this setting, certified special education staff co-teach with ECEAP staff; and special education and regular education preschoolers learn side-by-side. Special education teachers emphasize developmentally appropriate educational practices, nutrition, health, parent involvement and social services.
Self-contained special education preschools, the second type of special education preschool program, serve students ages three to six who have more severe special needs. These classrooms are filled with children with special needs whose teachers focus on speech and language development, social and self-help skills and pre-academics.
The third type of special education preschool is designed for children who have autism or pervasive developmental disorder. This preschool program specializes in teaching the skills of play, attentiveness, language, socialization and sensory development and is referred to as PALSS.
If the child only needs a related special education service (physical, occupational, speech or vision therapy), a therapist who travels from school to school provides the service. If the student attends Head Start or ECEAP, the therapy is provided in that program. If the student is enrolled in a special education preschool program, therapy is generally provided at the school where the child attends preschool.
Q. How does a child qualify for Head Start, ECEAP or Title I?
A. These programs serve four-year-olds from low-income families, although sometimes three-year-olds are eligible.
To request an application for Title I Preschool, please contact Ann Cuoio at 583-5151.
Q. How does a child qualify for special education preschool services?
A. To qualify, a child three-to-six years old need only be officially identified as developmentally delayed, but may also qualify under any other handicapping category. Once a child has qualified for special education services, an individual education plan (IEP) is developed as the basis for specialized instruction and/or related services provided in an appropriate program.
Parents, guardians, public or private agencies or anyone who has
an interest in the child, may make special education referrals.
A team made up of various specialists reviews all referrals and
decides which children should be evaluated to see if they qualify
for special
education services.
To request Special Education services or screenings, please call 583-5180.
Q. How are ECE programs funded?
A. Head Start, ECEAP, Title I and special education preschools are grant-funded programs. State funding supports ECEAP and federal dollars support Head Start and Title I. The school district applies annually for these grants.
The district works with public and private agencies that provide services to students birth-to-three in order to ease the move to public school. Early child-hood programs serving students with disabilities who are age birth-to-three are funded through federal dollars. Once children with special needs enter public school in kindergarten, federal funds and state basic education funds are used to support the students’ learning.
Q. What is Childfind?
A. Childfind is a process school district staff uses to locate, identify and evaluate students from birth to 21 years who have disabilities and live within the district. All public and private agencies and institutions are included in Childfind. For more information or to request Childfind services, please call 583-5180.
Q. What is Early Head Start?
A. Early Head Start provides free services to eligible families with infants and toddlers. For more information, view our Early Head Start flyer.
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