Canal Winchester

Canal Winchester Local Schools Preschool Program
Welcome to Preschool!
   It is the philosophy of the Canal Winchester Local School District Preschool Program to assist preschool children in developing cognitive, communication, pre-academic, social and emotional, play, and motor skills.
Our program is designed to help each student develop curiosity and initiative to learn, independence, and a positive self-image. Classroom teams are dedicated to providing a safe and nurturing environment for children to be able to interact with peers, adults, and materials to achieve individual goals. Recognizing the diversity of our student’s abilities, interests and cultural backgrounds, our preschool program provides varied experiences to enhance their learning experience.
We believe that children develop their understanding of the world through interaction with people, materials, and concepts. Our classroom staff facilitates each child’s discovery of the world by creating opportunities that enhance this exploration through the use of appropriate materials, planned spaces, teacher guided lessons, play opportunities, and a consistent daily routine.
   We believe that all children develop a greater understanding of their world when given the opportunity to interact with peers who are at various developmental levels within the school community. Our preschool classrooms provide children with special needs with peer models who exhibit age appropriate social and communication skills.
   We believe family is the child’s most important teacher. Family support is provided through ongoing communication between staff and parent, daily sheets, annual events, and parent/teacher conferences.
General Information:
   Our preschool program follows Ohio’s Early Learning Standards, and is held to the same licensing and accreditation expectations as other programs. For more information on Ohio’s Early Learning Standards: http://education.ohio.gov/Topics/Early-Learning/Early-Learning-Content-Standards
We have four Peer Model classrooms with a maximum of 16 students (per state/federal law) with a licensed preschool teacher/intervention specialist and a trained paraprofessional
2:16 - preschool students (8 students with special needs and 8 peer models students)
Preschool Student Information:
   The Canal Winchester Local Schools Preschool program’s primary objective is to serve the students in our community who have disabilities or developmental delays. We do this by helping families identify if their child may be delayed in their development or have a disability, and then by providing special education services to match their needs. These special education services can be provided through a variety of models and in a number of locations across our community.
   Our program serves preschool-age children with Special Needs (i.e. speech/language delays, fine/gross motor problems, behavior issues, general developmental delays, etc.) as determined by a comprehensive evaluation completed by the school district. These students are eligible for services beginning at age 3 (per state & federal requirements). There is no cost to the parent if a student qualifies for special needs services.
   Preschool Peer Models - A peer model must be at least 4 years of age, toilet-trained, and demonstrate age-appropriate behavior and development. To be eligible to be chosen as a peer model, the child must participate in a CW Preschool Child Check. Child Checks are held 2 times per school year, Fall and Spring. There is a tuition of $100 per month (9 months per school year) for peer model preschool students. Parents must provide transportation for peer models.
Registration Information:
If you believe your child may be eligible for the special needs preschool program, or if you are interested in the peer model program, please do the following:

• Verify you are a resident of the Canal Winchester School District, contact the district office 614 837-4533
• Complete the online application (click on link below). After the completion of this form, you will be contacted by the Preschool Coordinator, Maleea Anderson.
• For students with special needs, a registration packet will be mailed to you along with a series of appointment dates and times.
• If you are interested in the peer model program, your data will be saved until the upcoming Child Check. 
• Near the scheduled Child Check, the Preschool Coordinator, Maleea Anderson will contact you to schedule your appointment time. 

Pick the application that describes your student: