Fairbanks Elementary:

Preschool Program

Our Philosophy: The Fairbanks Early Childhood Integrated Public Preschool program is child-centered and devoted to meeting each child's unique needs. Our concern is for the whole child. We strive to provide a safe and nurturing environment in which to foster each child's cognitive, social, emotional, and motor development. We believe that children learn best through meaningful play. Skills are integrated across activities. Teachers serve as facilitators to guide children in interactions with the various learning opportunities. The preschool classroom is divided into interest centers such as art, dramatic play, block building, manipulative, sensory, computer, science, math, and language. Busy activities alternate with quiet time and children also meet as a group with the teacher for planned activities. Through play and self-initiated learning, the children refine the motor, thinking, language, and self-help skills necessary for success in school.

Students: The three-to-five year old children served by the preschool reflect the makeup of the general population. This diversity helps to build a foundation of compassion and acceptance toward a variety of people.

Included are:

• typical peers who operate at a level of most children their age. The typical child is enrolled one year before he/she enters kindergarten. There is a fee for the typical child.
• children with developmental delays that may affect speech or communication, muscular coordination, hearing or sight development. These children may enroll as soon as they turn three years. To qualify for special needs, a child must go through a child check and then if necessary a play based assessment. There is no fee for the special needs child.

The 2011-12 school year will be a full day session (Monday - Thursday) Typical peers are randomly drawn for a session spot, with a maximum class size of 16 students.

Staff: A state certified teacher and educational assistant lead each class. Children with special needs receive additional support from speech/language, occupational and physical therapists within the classroom setting. Specific goals are developed for each child by the team, and children may work individually or in groups. All children in the program benefit from interaction with the therapists as they work collaboratively with staff on overall program goals and objective. Progress reports and classroom goals are based upon state standards.

Class sizes and hours: Children attend half-day sessions 3 hours long, Monday - Thursday. Each class has 12 students mixed ages (3-5 years). The preschool follows the normal nine-month school schedule, regular holidays are observed, and snow/fog delays.

Contact: Dawn Brewer 614.445.3750 @ The Educational Service Center of Central Ohio for both typical and special needs children. If you have any concerns about your child's development, call the above numbers to make an appointment for the next child check.