Thinking about preschool for your child? Below is a resource that can be helpful in thinking through the process.
Why consider
preschool? Preschool offers instruction built on social
skills, imaginative play, art, music and movement, taught alongside learning to
count and matching letters to sounds and words. Both benefit kids' readiness
for school and teaches them how to be learners. Children learn independence,
flexibility, listening and problem-solving skills.
What if my child
continues to need therapy supports? Are they ready for preschool
enrollment?
Chicago Public Schools are equipped to work with children that are not yet walking independently, are still learning how to express themselves or need help with toileting or diaper changes. When children need additional supports to get through the school day, Chicago Public Schools determines eligibility and an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) is created. This document is very similar to the Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) that you created with your therapy team in Early Intervention except that it focuses on what supports and therapies are needed in the educational setting. In addition, you may want to consider connecting with therapies in an outpatient clinic setting. Please click here to get a listing of resources.
What is an IEP
(Individualized Education Plan)?
An
Individualized Education Program (IEP) is a plan that describes the special
education instruction, supports, and services that students with disabilities
are legally entitled to receive. An IEP is developed by you, the
caregiver and the school staff members (CPS evaluation team). The contents of
an IEP are determined by the student's needs and may include a variety of
therapies (speech, physical, occupational), social work supports a one-on-one
aide or paraprofessional, nursing supports, assistive technology and possibly
other accommodations (support with toileting, sensory breaks, etc.).
What if we change our
mind and decide our child won’t go to preschool?
Although preschool is highly recommended for almost all children, you can always change your mind! It is commonly advised that you have your child evaluated and an IEP created even if you are not sure if your child will attend Chicago Public Schools. The IEP will be good for one year which means your child may enter into the school system with supports in place should you decide to eventually enroll them. You may also be interested in getting an evaluation and IEP created even if you decide that your child will be going to a childcare setting or private school.
Where will my child
go to preschool?
Chicago Public
Schools (CPS) offers preschool for qualifying children at the age of three. The
program offers primarily half days for children based on the recommendation set
by the CPS team. In accordance to federal law, CPS attempts to assign your
child to the preschool closest to their home. There are instances when a
child’s therapy needs cannot be met at their local, home school. The next
closest school that has an opening will then be assigned. Busing is available
for children who are eligible for a half day program, and that were not
assigned to their home school. Please discuss this with the CPS evaluation team
should you be interested.
What is Extended Services? (Click to read more)
Early Intervention
recently implemented a policy for children that have birthdays between May to
August to potentially qualify for extended services. Children may have the
option to continue therapies until the beginning of the school year if they are
eligible for an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) through Chicago Public
Schools. To qualify for Early Intervention Extended Services (EI/ES), the child
must: be determined eligible for early intervention, have an Individualized
Family Service Plan (IFSP), have their third birthday between May 1 and August
31 and be found eligible for an Individualized Education Program (IEP).
Getting Ready for
Preschool: A Timeline
When enrolled in Early Intervention, getting ready for preschool begins when your child is 2 ½ years old (30 months). With your written permission, your child’s Early Intervention service coordinator will share your child’s developmental reports to the Chicago Public School’s preschool evaluation team. These developmental reports will give the evaluation team some background on the progress your child has made as well as the areas in which they may need future, additional support. You will then receive an informational call from the School Entry Support Specialist (from CPS) and a representative from Early Intervention. This call aims to provide families with a brief overview of preschool and the transition process. Following this call, you will receive an email with a written summary of the conversation as well as a link to a virtual CPS informational session. This virtual session is offered to parents that are considering CPS preschools. It provides a more in-depth explanation of the preschool transition process as well as gives caregivers an opportunity to ask questions.
School Entry Support
Specialist for Chicago Public Schools:
Gina Dalpra
Office Number:
773-553-1878
Email: gvdalpra@cps.edu
Your service coordinator
is available to answer any questions related to the transition from Early
Intervention to Chicago Public Schools.
Please use the link below to access transition meetings
Early Intervention to Early Childhood Preschool Transition Meeting
When: Monthly,
the last Tuesday from 1-2:15 p.m.
Where: Google Meeting ID: meet.google.com/fkt-jyqk-qgc
The
meeting will also be hosted in Spanish, monthly, last Tuesday from 2:15- 3:30 p.m.
ID JUNTA en español : meet.google.com/fkt-jyqk-qgc
Please contact Roberta Hansen or Iwona Parkel with any additional
questions.
Iwona Parkel (Parent Liaison): 312-942-8485
Roberta Hansen (LIC Coordinator): 312-942-7863
