The Early Childhood Special Education Program (ECSE) at PECES is for 2 to 5 year old children. Children who demonstrate a delay of 33% in one area or 30% delay in two or more areas are eligible. We work on increasing attention span, memory, problem-solving, fine & gross motor, self-help, communication, as well as social skills based on a play-based model. We follow a modified curriculum based on the Pre-K Houghton-Mifflin curriculum. We go to resource classes with Ms. Jeannette Simmons' Pre-K students; which includes music, art, and gym. The 2-year old program is home-based on Wednesdays.
We work on getting children to be as independent as possible for a smooth transition into kindergarten. The children are expected to take off and hang up backpacks/coats, bathroom, wash hands, and carry lunch trays with as little or no help as possible. They are all very proud of these things as you should be too! Please make sure your child has at least one change of clothes at school. If your child is not potty trained, please provide pull-ups and wipes.
Our program is 4 days a week: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. Our hours are from 7:45 a.m. - 3:10 p.m. The classroom consists of a teacher and a paraprofessional. We are partners with the Pre-K program at PECES and go to resource classes, cafeteria, assemblies, playground, and field trips with this group.