ABOUT THE LEBANON PRESCHOOL PROGRAM
Since 1987, The Lebanon School District's Preschool Program has served children ages three through five. The program is designed to offer a continuum of services in a variety of settings such as home-community preschool using an inclusive model.
The Preschool Special Education Program supports children with special needs. Typically they are referred to the program through a variety of sources including parents, health care providers and teachers. Using a team approach, eligibility for Special Education services is determined through an evaluation process and appropriate programs are developed based on the strengths and needs of each child. Parents are an integral part of each team. Programs may include a home- based or a preschool classroom component with other services, such as physical, occupational, speech and language therapies.
Hosted at Mt. Lebanon School, the Beginnings Preschool program involves children in a rich social atmosphere with many language opportunities. The children participate in a theme and literacy based program with songs, finger plays, a book-look time, imaginary play, art projects and small and large muscle activities.
The Beginnings Preschool has two sessions for children, one for 3 year olds and one for 4 year olds. Each year in February there is a drawing for the selection of children. All age-appropriate children residing in the Lebanon School District are eligible to apply. Parents serve as "helping parents" in the classroom, lending extra help to the class. This program can serve 'medically fragile' children with disabilities. The parents of the children without disabilities provide their own transportation and also pay tuition . Support staff and a school nurse are on site to lend the needed support for these children.
Current research validate the critical importance of early education for young children. According to a 1994 study done by the Carnegie Corporation Task Force on Learning, it was " estimated that every dollar invested in the preschool program returned seven dollars that otherwise would have gone for other services". Through a variety of options and setting the Preschool Program supports young children with quality learning experiences. This in turn supports and strengthens our community as a whole. Please stop by and visit us at your convenience.!
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