Developmental Preschool Q&A
What is it?
The Developmental Preschool Program is located in McDonald Elementary School in Moscow, Idaho. It provides special education services to 3-5 year-old children with developmental delays who live within the boundaries of in the Moscow School District.. The program includes many components—our morning classes, language groups, off-site therapies, and individual speech and language therapy. We also serve children who are eligible for special education services at Head Start and various preschools in the community. For students who attend school at McDonald, we have an integrated classroom with “peer partners” blended into our program (For more info on Peer Partners, go to the "Contact Us" page.)
PLEASE NOTE: Our program is not designed or intended to be a daycare or considered a "regular preschool" except for those students accepted as paid Peer Partners as part of the Peer Partner Program. We screen and accept only two typically-developing students every academic year. All applications for non-disabled students will be deferred until the next academic year if our Peer Partner positions are filled. We are a therapeutic setting intended to provide early intervention for students with documented and qualifying developmental delays and disabilities. We provide educational interventions for disability-related skills and growth. You must look elsewhere if you are looking for a regular daycare or preschool.
What services can the Developmental Preschool provide?
We have a skilled staff who can provide Special Education interventions for children with disabilities in all areas of development (cognitive, adaptive, social, emotional, physical, communication, and nursing consultation). We have onsite, and contracted professionals who provide special education, speech-language therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and behavior intervention.
Who is eligible?
The children who qualify for services due to delays are identified through evaluations conducted by our staff, with assistance from the children’s parents and preschool teachers. Children are found eligible for special education services when the special education team finds that there is an adverse effect on a child's educational performance due to a disability or developmental delay. While not all disabilities have an adverse effect on a child's educational performance, it is the IEP Team's task to explore and decide whether or not a child's disability or delay negatively impacts them in school and community life. Some students transition from services with the Infant Toddler Program and others are referred by their families or daycare facilities. Individual Education Programs (IEPs) are then designed to meet the individual needs of each student.
Meet the Staff
Our staff includes: Julia Goddard, Special Education Teacher; Lindsey Wagner, Speech-Language Pathologist; Toni Wigle, Occupational Therapist; Michelle Van Leuven, Physical Therapist; Rachel Lambert, Instructional Assistant; and Julie Comstock, Instructional Assistant at Head Start. Our administrators are: Kim Mikolajczyk, Principal; Shannon Richards, Director of Special Services.
What about the classroom?
Our classroom looks much like any preschool classroom with activities, toys and materials to enrich and enhance the learning that happens here. Our daily activities include Circle Time, Story Time, Gross Motor Activity, Snack and Free Choice Time with various activity centers. The Moscow Developmental Preschool Program consists of an integrated morning class which runs Tuesday through Friday from 8:30 - 10:30 (Group A), and an afternoon session from 12:00-2:00 (Group B). Speech and other therapies are provided in the preschool room. Preschool-based therapies are also provided at Head Start and other preschools within the community.
What is our philosophy?
Our program’s aim is to ensure that each child has the opportunity to develop according to their potential—becoming independent and enthusiastic learners. Our program is designed to create child-centered learning experiences. This allows the children to have an active role in their learning with the guidance of knowledgeable and caring staff. Learning activities/experiences/materials are designed to optimize socialization and creativity through careful planning and support. The Moscow Public Schools are committed to education programs that recognize the unique value, needs and talents of each student as an individual. Every child is a special and unique individual and deserves care and respect. Every child is capable of learning.
The Developmental Preschool Program is located in McDonald Elementary School in Moscow, Idaho. It provides special education services to 3-5 year-old children with developmental delays who live within the boundaries of in the Moscow School District.. The program includes many components—our morning classes, language groups, off-site therapies, and individual speech and language therapy. We also serve children who are eligible for special education services at Head Start and various preschools in the community. For students who attend school at McDonald, we have an integrated classroom with “peer partners” blended into our program (For more info on Peer Partners, go to the "Contact Us" page.)
PLEASE NOTE: Our program is not designed or intended to be a daycare or considered a "regular preschool" except for those students accepted as paid Peer Partners as part of the Peer Partner Program. We screen and accept only two typically-developing students every academic year. All applications for non-disabled students will be deferred until the next academic year if our Peer Partner positions are filled. We are a therapeutic setting intended to provide early intervention for students with documented and qualifying developmental delays and disabilities. We provide educational interventions for disability-related skills and growth. You must look elsewhere if you are looking for a regular daycare or preschool.
What services can the Developmental Preschool provide?
We have a skilled staff who can provide Special Education interventions for children with disabilities in all areas of development (cognitive, adaptive, social, emotional, physical, communication, and nursing consultation). We have onsite, and contracted professionals who provide special education, speech-language therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and behavior intervention.
Who is eligible?
The children who qualify for services due to delays are identified through evaluations conducted by our staff, with assistance from the children’s parents and preschool teachers. Children are found eligible for special education services when the special education team finds that there is an adverse effect on a child's educational performance due to a disability or developmental delay. While not all disabilities have an adverse effect on a child's educational performance, it is the IEP Team's task to explore and decide whether or not a child's disability or delay negatively impacts them in school and community life. Some students transition from services with the Infant Toddler Program and others are referred by their families or daycare facilities. Individual Education Programs (IEPs) are then designed to meet the individual needs of each student.
Meet the Staff
Our staff includes: Julia Goddard, Special Education Teacher; Lindsey Wagner, Speech-Language Pathologist; Toni Wigle, Occupational Therapist; Michelle Van Leuven, Physical Therapist; Rachel Lambert, Instructional Assistant; and Julie Comstock, Instructional Assistant at Head Start. Our administrators are: Kim Mikolajczyk, Principal; Shannon Richards, Director of Special Services.
What about the classroom?
Our classroom looks much like any preschool classroom with activities, toys and materials to enrich and enhance the learning that happens here. Our daily activities include Circle Time, Story Time, Gross Motor Activity, Snack and Free Choice Time with various activity centers. The Moscow Developmental Preschool Program consists of an integrated morning class which runs Tuesday through Friday from 8:30 - 10:30 (Group A), and an afternoon session from 12:00-2:00 (Group B). Speech and other therapies are provided in the preschool room. Preschool-based therapies are also provided at Head Start and other preschools within the community.
What is our philosophy?
Our program’s aim is to ensure that each child has the opportunity to develop according to their potential—becoming independent and enthusiastic learners. Our program is designed to create child-centered learning experiences. This allows the children to have an active role in their learning with the guidance of knowledgeable and caring staff. Learning activities/experiences/materials are designed to optimize socialization and creativity through careful planning and support. The Moscow Public Schools are committed to education programs that recognize the unique value, needs and talents of each student as an individual. Every child is a special and unique individual and deserves care and respect. Every child is capable of learning.
Questions?
Please feel free to email or call for more information about our program and services.
Shannon Richards, Special Services Director: [email protected]
Julia Goddard, Special Education Teacher : [email protected]
Lindsey Wagner, SLP : [email protected]
Phone: 208.882.0228
Shannon Richards, Special Services Director: [email protected]
Julia Goddard, Special Education Teacher : [email protected]
Lindsey Wagner, SLP : [email protected]
Phone: 208.882.0228