Program Overview

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The preschool serves both children with and without disabilities, managed by the Special Services Department, ensuring that all children’s needs are met with care and expertise.

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• Eligibility: Children ages 3-5

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• Selection Process:

  • Last Day to Register: April 11, 2025

  • Lottery Date: May 2, 2025

  • Preschool Lottery Form: You can submit your child's application via the Preschool Lottery Google Form.

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• Program Hours:

  • AM Session: 8:30 AM - 11:15 AM

  • PM Session: 12:10 PM - 3:10 PM
    (Please note: Transportation is not provided for the preschool program.)

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For additional information on Connecticut’s statewide early childhood services, including preschool requirements and family engagement, visit the Connecticut State Department of Education Early Childhood Resources page.

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Child Find Obligations

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At North Stonington Public Preschool, we are dedicated to identifying, locating, and evaluating all children who may have developmental delays or disabilities in accordance with our Child Find obligations under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Child Find is a federally mandated process designed to ensure that children who may need special education services are identified and provided with appropriate support as early as possible.

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Our preschool program is committed to offering a nurturing and inclusive environment for all children, ages 3 to 5. As part of this commitment, we conduct routine Early Childhood Screenings to assess developmental readiness and identify any areas where additional support may be beneficial. This is an essential step in making sure every child receives the tailored services they may need to succeed.

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What is Child Find?

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• Child Find is a legal obligation to identify, locate, and evaluate children who may have developmental delays or disabilities.

• It applies to all children between the ages of 3-5, regardless of whether they are enrolled in school. We conduct screenings throughout the year to help identify children who may benefit from special education or other support services.

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How We Can Help:

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If you have concerns about your child’s development or suspect that any child within our community may have a developmental delay or disability, we encourage you to participate in our Early Childhood Screening. Through this process, our skilled team will work with you to evaluate your child’s needs and determine if they qualify for special education services.

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To schedule an appointment for a screening or to learn more about the Child Find process, please contact Student Services Office at 860-535-4451. Our team is here to support you every step of the way, ensuring that every child has access to the services they need.

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For more information on the Child Find process and your rights under IDEA, please visit the CT State Department of Education Special Education page.

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2024-2025 Early Childhood Screening

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We invite parents and guardians to bring their children, between the ages of 36 months and 5 years, to participate in our Early Childhood Screening. This screening is an important part of our preschool program, as it helps assess your child's developmental readiness and identifies any areas where additional support may be beneficial. (A screening is NOT required to enter the lottery.)

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Upcoming screening dates are 

• November 15th

• December 13th

• January 17th

• February 7th

• March 14th

• April 25th

• May 16th

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What to Expect:

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• The preschool team will assess your child in key developmental areas:

  • Cognition

  • Language

  • Motor Development

  • Personal/Social Development

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• In addition to the assessments, parents will be asked to complete a Social Developmental History, which provides insights into your child’s background and growth.

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How to Schedule:

If you have any questions or concerns about your child’s development or would like to schedule an appointment for the screening, please contact our Student Services Office at 860-535-4451.​ Our team is here to assist you in every step of the process.

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​For more information on early childhood assessments and standards, please visit the CT Office of Early Childhood Assessment and Developmental Screening page.

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Special Education Services

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For children identified by a Planning and Placement Team (PPT) as requiring additional support, a wide range of services is available, including:

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• Speech Therapy

• Special Education

• Occupational Therapy

• Social Skills Instruction

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These services are delivered in a supportive and understanding environment, ensuring each child’s individual needs are met.

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For a comprehensive look at special education services in Connecticut, you can review the CT State Department of Education Special Education page.

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Sparkler App for Early Childhood Development

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We encourage families to explore the Sparkler App, a free app supported by the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood. Sparkler provides families with tools to track their child’s development, offering activities, tips, and resources to support learning and development at home. It also helps parents stay connected with educators and developmental services if needed.

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Sparkler is available for children from birth through age five and is a valuable tool in complementing the preschool experience.

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Important Dates

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• Last Day to Register for Lottery: April 11, 2025

• Lottery Drawn: May 2, 2025

• Early Childhood Screenings: Ongoing for the 2024-2025 school year

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Learn More

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For more information on our program or the Connecticut Early Learning and Development Standards (ELDS), please visit the official resource here.

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If you have any questions or need assistance, feel free to contact the Special Services Department at 860-535-4451. Additionally, you can explore further resources for pre-K education on the Connecticut State Department of Education’s Early Childhood Education Page.

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