pENINSULA SCHOOL DISTRICT Early Learning PROGRAMS

The Peninsula School District recognizes the importance of early learning in the success of our students. Research shows that students who meet learning standards by grade 3 are more likely to succeed as they continue in school and graduate prepared for college, career, and beyond.

Peninsula School District has a variety of early childhood programs to meet the needs of our youngest students. We offer a continuum of programming from part day and full day Monday-Thursday as well as full day Monday-Friday. Each program has specific enrollment requirements. In order to simplify that process for families, parents can submit an interest survey to help us connect you to the program that best fits your child and family's needs. All programs are free to Peninsula School District Residents.

Click here to fill out the 24-25 Early Learning Interest Survey

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Screening for the 24-25 school year will begin in the spring of 2024. As a reminder, each program has specific eligibility requirements. All survey submissions will be reviewed and families will be contacted for screening based on program space and eligibility.

BIRTH TO THREE SERVICES

Research has shown that early intervention services during the first years can make a big difference in a child’s life. The Peninsula School District contracts with Pierce County to provide developmental screenings for infants and toddlers under the age of 3 and to provide services to children birth to age 3 who have disabilities and/or developmental delays.

Families who refer their infant or toddler to the Birth to Three program are assigned an FRC who will assist them in accessing screening, resources, supports and early intervention services their child may need.

More Information:

Child Find Brochure

For more information or to make a referral, call Pierce County Early Intervention at (253) 798-3790 or the Peninsula School District Early Childhood Resources phone line at (253) 530-1091.

PRESCHOOL CHILD FIND

Preschool Child Find is a free developmental screening for children 3 to 5 years of age. If family members, primary care providers or teachers have concern for a child’s development, they may refer a family to PSD’s Child Find process. Upon referral children attend an appointment at one of our monthly Child Find screening clinics where vision, hearing, motor, communication, cognitive, social/emotional and adaptive are screened.

For additional information or to refer your child for Child Find screening please call (253) 530-1091.

EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (ECEAP)

Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP) is a comprehensive preschool program that provides free services and support to eligible children and their families. To be considered for the program all families must submit an application and eligibility documents, submitting documents does not guarantee acceptance into the program.

ECEAP provides:

Full-day Preschool experience, 9:00-3:30 M-TH, School year calendar
Activities that build self-esteem
Developmental screenings
Small classes
Transportation
Health and nutrition education
Social/Emotional Support for children & Health services
Hot lunch and nutritious snacks
Supportive staff and Family engagement

Who Is Eligible?

Eligible families with children age 3-5 years (3 years by Aug 31^st, and not yet 5 by Aug 31^st)
Children in Foster Care/Kinship Care
TANF and SSI recipients
Families experiencing homelessness
Children with a disability or IEP that do not qualify for Developmental Preschool
Families living on limited incomes (based on federal poverty guidelines)

How to Apply

Please contact the family support specialist for the site you wish to apply for. Contact information can be found in the blue box.

Please note that your application cannot be processed until the following documents are submitted:

Application
Child’s birth certificate
Proof of income e.g., previous years w-2, tax return, 12 months of paystubs, or TANF grant letter
Proof of guardianship ( birth certificate, foster care record, adoption paperwork or written agreement signed and dated by parent and person assuming custodial responsibility )

Once your application has been processed the family support specialist at the site closest to you will be in contact with you. Processing applications can take 1-2 weeks after all needed documents are submitted.

It would be helpful if you also include the following:
- A copy of your child’s current immunization record
- Current IEP/ IFSP if applicable
- Most recent well-child exam
- Most recent dental exam

* If you have any questions about the application or supporting documents please contact the site you are applying to.

Peninsula School District Nondiscrimination Statement

PART DAY PRESCHOOL

The Peninsula School District provides Part Day Preschool Programs at Artondale, Harbor Heights, Purdy and Vaughn Elementary Schools. These preschool programs are taught by Washington State Certificated Early Childhood Special Education Teachers who are assisted in the classroom by a paraprofessional. Children who qualify for special education are placed in these classroom programs through an evaluation and eligibility process, have an Individualized Education Program developed for them and may receive additional support from a speech and language pathologist and/or occupational therapist or other specialist.

These programs are provided at no cost to families of special education eligible children and meet 4 days each week, Monday through Thursday. Children attend half-day sessions in the morning or afternoon. The Peninsula School District Part Day Preschool Programs provide an opportunity for children with special needs to learn and develop along side their peers.

Our classrooms offer children a variety of child and teacher directed multi-sensory play activities appropriate for their age and developmental level. Teachers serve as facilitators to guide the development of each child’s cognitive, language, social/emotional, self care and motor development in a language based program.

TRANSITIONAL KINDERGARTEN

Our Transitional Kindergarten is a program for children who do not have access to high-quality early learning experiences prior to kindergarten. Students qualify through an application and screening process.

This free program is available for children who are not currently enrolled in an early learning program and demonstrate financial, academic, and/or social-emotional needs. Transitional Kindergarten will focus on essential academics, social-emotional skills, and learning habits to empower children as they launch into their academic journey.

When and where is Transitional Kindergarten?

Start date is October 1, 2024

Transitional Kindergarten is a full day, Monday-Friday program.

This district-wide program is located at five elementary schools in the Peninsula School District:

Discovery Elementary
Evergreen Elementary
Harbor Heights Elementary
Minter Creek Elementary
Voyager Elementary

This program follows the same schedule and calendar as all PSD schools.

Outdoor Transitional Kindergarten Programs

Outdoor Transitional Kindergarten Programs have been implemented at Evergreen Elementary and Voyager Elementary.

Curriculum in Outdoor Transitional Kindergarten includes at least one hour of outdoor exploration and learning each school day, if weather permits. Students spend time outside learning new concepts and skills that incorporate with the curriculum from the rest of their school day.

The idea for the program came from Gig Harbor's sister city Bodø, Norway. Superintendent Krestin Bahr and School Board of Directors President Natalie Wimberly, visited Norway towards the end of the 2021-2022 school year, and were inspired by the amount of outdoor learning Norwegian students experience.

Prerequisite Requirements for Transitional Kindergarten (must meet all):

Student turns five years old between the first day of September and the last day of August within the current school year.
Not currently identified for participation in another preschool program
Reside within the Peninsula School District boundaries

Qualifying Criteria for Transitional Kindergarten (must meet at least one of the following):

Student has a need in at least one of the following:

Academics
Emotional/social development
Fine and gross motor skills
Language development
Lack access to a licensed preschool opportunity due to availability or financial circumstances
Qualify for free/reduced meals
English Learner

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