PRESCHOOL SPECIAL EDUCATION

​

PRESCHOOL EVALUATIONS THROUGH THE COMMITTEE ON PRESCHOOL SPECIAL EDUCATION (CPSE)

Parents who are concerned that their child ages 2.9-5 years old may have a developmental delay in one or more areas of development should contact their local school district.  Parents will need to send a written request to the school district stating what the concerns are.   

The school district will send the parent a consent form for the evaluations along with a list of approved preschool evaluation sites. Parents must sign the consent, indicate the evaluation site they wish to use and return it to their school district. The school district will authorize the evaluation site chosen by the parent to conduct the evaluations.  A free, multidisciplinary evaluation will be scheduled and performed.  

Written evaluation reports are sent to the family and the school district and a meeting is held to determine eligibility.  If found eligible, services such as speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, counseling, special education itinerant teacher (SEIT), special class in an integrated setting (SCIS) or a self-contained special education classroom may be recommended.  

​

The Alcott School is an approved evaluation site.  For further information please contact Alex Kulpa at our Dobbs Ferry site.  She can be reached at (914) 693-4443 or  AKulpa@Alcottschool.org. 

​

​

SPECIAL EDUCATION FOR 3- 5 YEAR OLDS - The "Little Class" Program

The Little Class Program is designed to meet the needs of preschool students who require a small language based special education classroom environment.  The classrooms are structured and teacher directed in a nurturing and supportive atmosphere. Classes are staffed by a certified special education teacher and two certified teacher assistants. Speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and social work services are provided as mandated.  The Little Class Program also provides the following services and programs; yoga, nature therapy, music therapy as well as parent support groups. Children participate in daily gross motor activities in either our indoor gym or in one of our two outdoor playgrounds. The Little Class Program, which is housed in a Montessori Preschool building, allows our children to play with children from Montessori classrooms in the gym and playground, allowing for multiple mainstream opportunities. Contact: Anne Doherty at 914.693.7677.

​

SPECIAL CLASS IN AN INTEGRATED SETTING (SCIS) IN A MONTESSORI PROGRAM

This is a group of 6-8 children with special needs located in a Montessori classroom with a group of 10- 12 typically developing children.  Classes are staffed by a licensed special education teacher, a Montessori head teacher, and two teacher assistants or teacher aides. Speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and social work services are provided as mandated. The classroom is child directed and follows the Montessori teaching philosophy.  Contact: Debbie Frank at 914.472.4404 x 1212

​

SPECIAL EDUCATION ITINERANT TEACHER  (SEIT)

In this program children attend a mainstream class with typically developing peers in a preschool or daycare setting selected by a parent. A licensed Special Education Teacher provides instruction within the mainstream classroom for the number of hours mandated on the child’s Individualized Education Program (IEP). The SEIT works with the child based on the IEP goals to develop skills which may include: pre-academic readiness (cognitive), fine motor, gross motor, language, and socialization. Typical class activities such as circle time, art, free play, gym, music, outdoor playground time, and snack time provide many opportunities for learning. If a child is mandated to receive related services (speech, occupational therapy, physical therapy, counseling) in addition to SEIT services, the SEIT acts as the “coordinator” of these services. The SEIT is then responsible for communicating with the child’s related service providers to share information about the child’s educational needs and progress. This ensures that the child receives a coordinated, well-integrated educational program throughout the school year. Contact: Madeline Marks at 914.693.3737

​

                                                                  ----------------------------------------------------------------

Please note that in order to qualify for these special education programs, children must be evaluated and found to be in need of service.

​

All Programs are funded and regulated by the New York State Department of Health and Education and in Westchester County by the Westchester County Department of Health. There is no cost to parents for the special education services listed above. Transportation is provided for eligible children.

​