Who Are We? The Early Learning Center is the public
integrated preschool program that provides special education services
to children with disabilities in a typical preschool
environment. Programs at the Early Learning Center are designed
in accordance with federal mandates under the Individuals with
Disabilities Act (IDEA) and Massachusetts General Laws, Section 603
CMR 28.00 The law very clearly states that "exclusionary
programs for young children shall be located in a setting that
includes children with and without disabilities...such programs shall
be developmentally appropriate and specially designed for children
ages three and four years."
In order to provide our students with the
highest level of quality programming, the Early Learning Center has
sought and won accreditation from the National Academy for the
Education of Young Children (NAEYC). The program has gone
through a rigorous self-study process. Validation is conducted
by NAEYC representatives to ensure that we are meeting the high level
of standards set by this national organization. The self-study
process must be completed every three years.
Our most recent accreditation was in June 2008.
Recently, the Early Learning Center has won
commendation from the Department of Education Audit Team for three-
and four-year olds, as well as its transition programs from Early
Intervention.
Student Registration
Admission to the Early Learning
Center is available on a first come, first serve basis. Each child must participate
in the preschool screening process to be considered for a placement at the ELC.
Screenings are conducted on Friday mornings. Please call for an
appointment.
Transition from Early Intervention Programs Students
between the ages of birth and three years of age who currently receive services from
Kennedy Donovan Early Intervention program are referred to the Early Learning Center
program at age 30 months. A wide array of services from therapy only to preschool
placement is available; decisions about eligibility will be made once the child is
screened by the Early Learning Center TEAM. Eligibility requirements for school-age
children are different from eligibility requirements for Early
Intervention. Please
check with your service coordinator for more information.
See the ELC Profile for
more info about the Early Learning Center.