Preschool

Early Childhood Education Classrooms are taught by one early childhood education teacher, providing instruction to typically developing students.

Coteach Classrooms are taught by an intervention specialist and an early childhood education teacher providing instruction to both typically developing students and children with disabilities in one classroom.

Preschool Special Education Classrooms are taught by an intervention specialist, providing instruction to students who have been
formally evaluated and deemed eligible for special education services in the areas of physical development, cognition, communication, social-emotional skills, adaptive development, or vision/hearing. 

If you suspect your child may have delays, you may contact the school psychologist for Preschool at: 216-898-8840 x7694.

The State of Ohio licensing regulations require that all students have a physical examination documentation on file within 30 days of
the start of school. The Cuyahoga County District Board of Health offers immunizations and free lead screening for preschool children
needing specific immunizations to meet State requirements for school admission. For locations, additional information, and to schedule an appointment, call 216-443-5660. No child will be denied services due to an inability to pay.

Health Options

Dental Information: The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry states, "Preventative dentistry begins with the first tooth. Daily cleaning of teeth should begin as soon as the first tooth erupts. Visit your pediatric dentist at the eruption of the first tooth or no later than 12 months of age to establish a dental home. Early dental visits are the foundation for a lifetime of good oral heath. Children with healthy mouths have a better chance of general health. Oral conditions can interfere with eating and adequate nutritional intake, speaking, self- esteem, and daily activities. Severe decay can affect growth and development."

• Pediatric Dentists
  
  

Lead (Hematocrit) Screening Information: This screening is required for preschoolers. If your pediatrician does not feel it is
warranted, they must indicate this directly on the physical form. Please read more about this important screening.

School Psychologist
Speech/Language Pathologist
Early Childhood Intervention Specialist
Parents
(Occupational and/or Physical Therapists are available on an as-needed basis)

When it comes to their children, parents are the experts. The Preschool team strongly values parent participation in all aspects of the evaluation process, including sharing concerns about your child’s development, giving permission for evaluation, and providing information about the child’s functioning in your home.

Screening/Intervention
If your child is enrolled in a Berea City Schools Preschool, he/she may be referred through the Intervention Assistance Team (IAT). This team consists of the parent, preschool teacher, and other professionals. The team provides interventions for 6-8 weeks and, if interventions are unsuccessful, the team may determine that a comprehensive assessment is needed, or may continue with additional interventions.

If your child is not enrolled in a Berea City School District Preschool, he/she will be referred for a screening to help us get a better understanding of your child’s development. During the observation/screening time, one or more Preschool Team members will observe your child at home, or at their preschool, or at their child care center, gather parent and/or teacher input, and do some preliminary testing with your child. The Preschool team will then meet to discuss all information that has been collected and to decide if more assessment and information is necessary. If, after the screening, the team believes your child does not demonstrate a need for services, you will receive supportive information for your child’s area of concern. Interventions also may be implemented as part of the referral process, to help us gather information.

Multi-Factored Evaluation
If the Preschool team decides more information is needed to determine your child’s needs, you will be invited to bring your child to a Multifactored Evaluation (MFE), which information on your child’s development in each of the following areas:

• Motor Skills
• Cognitive Skills
• Communication Skills
• Social/Emotional/Behavioral Functioning
• Adaptive Behaviors
• Vision and Hearing

The MFE will include at least one brief assessment in each the above areas, with more extensive evaluation of the specific areas in which your child has the greatest difficulty. The assessment team, comprised of Early Childhood Intervention Specialists, Speech/Language Therapists, and the Preschool Psychologist, will engage in play-based assessment with your child, observation in home or school settings, and interview with parents/teachers in order to develop a comprehensive understanding of your child’s strengths and needs.

Eligibility and IEP
After the MFE results are compiled, the Preschool team will meet with your family to review the results and make recommendations. If results of the MFE indicate that there is a significant delay in one or more areas that were assessed, your child may be eligible to receive preschool special education services. If eligible, the Preschool team will work with you to write an Individual Education Plan (IEP). The IEP will determine goals, objectives, and service options that best meet your child individual needs.

If my child qualifies, what service options are available?
The Berea City School District is committed to providing a wide variety of service options that meet the diverse needs of preschoolers and their families.

Itinerant Services may be provided in the home, a public preschool setting, Head Start, or a community-based preschool program. An Early Child Intervention Specialist or Speech/Language Pathologist can work directly with your child, as well as work with you or your child’s teacher to develop ideas and strategies for addressing your child’s needs.

Co-Teach Classrooms are led by an Intervention Specialist and an Early Childhood Education teacher. Instruction is provided to both typically developing students and children with disabilities in one classroom. Maximum number of students is 22.

Preschool Special Education Classrooms are taught by an Intervention Specialist, providing instruction to students who have been formally evaluated and deemed eligible for special education services in the areas of physical development, cognition, communication, social-emotional skills, self-help skills, or vision/hearing. Maximum number of students is 12 (8 students with IEPs and 4 typically developing students).

Examples of who provides services…
Early Childhood Intervention Specialists
Speech/Language Therapists
Physical/Occupational Therapists

Big Creek Elementary School
Ms. Szabo/Ms Brown

Mrs. Haines

Brookpark Memorial Elementary School
Mrs. Bell                                                                                                                                                                         

Mrs. Breznicki

Mrs. Davian 

Ms. Gross 

Mrs. Harkema 

Mrs. S. Turner

Mrs. Stults                                                                                                                                                                     

Mrs. Tucker                                                                                                                                                                      

Mrs. C. Turner

Mrs. Urbach-Mallin                                                                                                                                                         

Mr. West                                                                                                                                                                     

Grindstone Elementary School
Mrs. Wiklinski

Mrs. Haines

CURRICULUM
Our curriculum is literacy- and play-based. It strives to meet the needs of young children and is developmentally appropriate. Our preschool program provides a core curriculum (supported by Creative Curriculum® and Handwriting Without Tears) which includes: language arts, math, science, geography, health, art, and movement education. Classrooms are literacy-rich environments, providing the foundations that are essential for reading and writing. We work in cooperation with our kindergarten and elementary teachers to provide a curriculum based on foundations of learning.