West Valley School District of Yakima

What is Preschool Special Education?
Special education is specially designed instruction, often in small group settings, to help children overcome developmental delays in the following areas:

communication/language (what the student can say and what he or she can understand that other people say)
fine and gross motor (coloring, cutting, balance, throwing, etc.)
cognition (problem solving skills, concepts such as colors, shapes, numbers, etc.)
personal social (how they get along with other children and adults, etc.)
adaptive/self-help (eating, dressing, toileting, following directions, paying attention, etc.)

How does a child become eligible?
A child’s various skill levels are determined through screening and evaluation, observations and parent interview. If a child’s skill levels are “significantly” below average in one or more of these developmental areas, then they are eligible for special education at the preschool level.

What is a “significant” delay?
There is a wide range of “normal” development. When children fall below this “normal range”, they qualify for special education. This range is usually at the 6th percentile or below.

What is an IEP?
When a child is found to be eligible and in need of special education services, the child’s parents and teachers/ specialists determine the goals and objectives and the program that will help the child improve his/her skills. This is called an IEP (Individualized Education Program). It is revised and updated on a yearly basis unless there is a need to do so earlier.

What is special education preschool and how is it different from a regular preschool ?

It is provided by the school district and it is free for children with developmental delays and/or disabilities.
The emphasis is upon teaching specific objectives through play to increase children’s independence, language and social/play skills.
It is staffed with specially certified individuals who are trained to deal with a variety of special needs in early childhood (special education teachers, speech and language pathologists, occupational therapists, specially trained paraprofessionals)
There is a high staff to student ratio (on the average 4 adults to 8 - 12 children)
Door-to-door transportation is provided (unless the family chooses to transport their own child)

What are the different programs available in the preschool special education program ?

Birth to Three Program (Children’s Village in conjunction with West Valley School District provides services for children aged birth-through-two)
Three and four-year-olds: three 90 minute sessions T/W/Th (am) or two 150-minute sessions, T/Th(pm)
Four and five-year-olds: 3 150-minute sessions, M/W/F (am and pm)
Speech/Language Therapy within the preschool classroom
Occupational Therapy within the preschool classroom

If my child is in a special education preschool program, will he/she always be in special education ?
Not necessarily. Our belief is that early intervention often helps children overcome their developmental delays. However, some children have delays and/or disabilities that may require continued special programming. In these cases, special education helps children reach their potential.
If your child continues to need special services after preschool there are a variety of options available when he/she is in elementary school including special education kindergarten, self-contained special education classroom, resource room, speech therapy and occupational therapy.

What if I have concerns or if I am unhappy with my child’s program ?
It is always best to talk with your child’s teacher first. If you are still not satisfied with the outcome, you may talk with the principal or the director of special education. If at that point you are still not happy, you have rights that are outlined in the procedural safeguards handout which is given to you at your initial meeting with the school staff.

Parent/doctor/family resource coordinator calls school with concerns.
Developmental screening is scheduled.
If screening shows delays, further evaluation is scheduled.
If evaluation shows significant delays or disability, an IEP is written and an IEP meeting is scheduled.
Child starts school.
IEP is reviewed at least annually.