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.
The Early Childhood Education (ECE) programs believe in the benefit of providing a strong start for all children and families. A supportive staff works closely with families to meet the needs of individual children. Bethel provides services for children in the district from birth through three years old who may have a developmental delay by contracting with local special needs centers.
The district provides preschool within the district for children three to five who may have a developmental delay or who are from an economically disadvantaged family.
Q. What ECE programs does Bethel School District offer?
A.
Birth to Three/Special Education
* Services for children with disabilities/delays birth to three years old
* Contracted through Pierce County Health Serves
* Provides home visits, parent-child playgroups and therapy services
Early Head Start
* For low-income families with children birth - 3 years old
* Weekly home visits with certified parent educators
* Pregnant mother eligible also
* Parent Education and family literacy focus
* Links to community resources, social services, etc.
* Health and developmental screenings
* Tuition-Free family activities, field trips and socializations
Special Education self contained preschool programs
* Early Childhood program for 3 - 5 year old children with disabilities/delays
* Certified special education staff and therapy services
* Half day sessions-four days a week
* Transportation provided as needed
* Parent activities and parent involvement
* Individualized Education Plan-IEP’s
* Students participate in curriculum designed to meet their individual needs and to prepare them for success in Kindergarten
ECEAP (Early Childhood Education Assistance Program)
* Tuition-Free preschool services to eligible low income families
* Kindergarten readiness program for 3 - 5 year old children at risk
* Half day sessions-four days a week
* Transportation provided as needed
* Vision, hearing, dental and developmental screenings
* Parent activities and parent involvement included
* Nutritious meals offered daily
* Students participate in curriculum designed to meet their individual needs and to prepare them for success in Kindergarten
Special Education Blended Early Childhood Education Assistance Program (ECEAP)
* Program providing service to children who qualify for either ECEAP or Special Education programs in the same classroom
* Half day sessions-four days a week
* Transportation provided as needed
* Parent activities and parent involvement
* Nutritious meals offered daily
* Students participate in curriculum designed to meet their individual needs and to prepare them for success in Kindergarten
Head Start
* Tuition-Free preschool services to eligible low income families
* Kindergarten readiness program for 3 - 5 year old children at risk
* Half day sessions-four days a week
* Transportation provided as needed
* Vision, hearing, dental and developmental screenings
* Parent activities and parent involvement included
* Nutritious breakfast and lunch offered daily
* Includes children with diagnosed disabilities/delays
* Students participate in curriculum designed to meet their individual needs and to prepare them for success in Kindergarten
Pay 2 Go Preschool
* Tuition preschool services
* Kindergarten readiness program for 3 - 5 year old children at risk
* Half day sessions-four days a week
* Parent activities and parent involvement
* Nutritious snack offered daily
* Students participate in curriculum designed to meet their individual needs and to prepare them for success in Kindergarten
Q. How does a child qualify for special education preschool services?
A. To qualify, a child three-to- five 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 253-683-5854 or Child Find Appointment line 253-683-6929 .
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 683-6929.