Preschool Programs

Each child is a complex, unique being with his/her own strengths and needs. Based upon an assessment of these needs, and parent and staff observations, we design an Individual Education Program (IEP) stating specific goals for each child. Target skills are selected based on those needed in the child’s daily life as well as in preparation for kindergarten readiness. Exploration through the use of manipulatives, a variety of learning materials and interaction with peers occurs naturally within the classroom environment and are the building blocks for future learning.  

​Language and motor skill development activities naturally occur within the preschool environment.  Speech -Language Pathologists and Occupational or Physical Therapists provide services within the natural learning environment whenever appropriate.

Program Descriptions

Holly Ridge Developmental Center

Holly Ridge Center is the primary service provider of children age birth to three (3).  Holly Ridge Developmental Center, in conjunction with school district staff, has evaluation responsibilities for children aged birth to three (3).  Children who qualify for services, depending on the identified needs of the child and family, receive specially designed instruction in the areas of communication, social and emotional development, motor, cognitive and adaptive skills as indicated on the child’s Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP).

Home/Daycare Based

Home/Daycare based services are provided to children who qualify for special education services and reside in the Central Kitsap area.  These services are primarily directed to children between the ages of three (3) and six (6) for whom the multi-disciplinary team conducting the evaluation determines home/daycare services are most appropriate in meeting the child's individual needs.  These programs are provided either in the child's home, daycare or preschool located within the Central Kitsap School District Boundaries.  The services may include: direct services to the child; consultation to the child's parent(s) or staff members in the daycare or preschool; or a combination of direct and consultative services.

School Based

School-based services are provided to children who qualify for specially designed instruction and reside in the Central Kitsap area.  These services are directed to children between the ages of 3 and 5 for whom the team conducting the evaluation determines in‑school services are most appropriate in meeting the child's individual needs.  Services are usually provided in the child's home school, or as close to the child's home school as possible.Programs are two, three, or four days per week and are approximately 2 1/2 hours long. Programs may include integrated or self-contained classrooms. Integrated programs are coordinated with school-based daycare programs and community preschools, or by the inclusion of peer models.

Parent-guided Language Use and Skills (PLUS)

Play is the fundamental means by which children gather and process information, learn new skills, and practice old ones (Ginsburg, 2007). Purposeful play provides opportunities for inquiry-based learning, during which children:

  • explore answers to their questions through hands-on interaction with materials,
  • build their questioning skills, and
  • enhance their understanding of key academic concepts (Drew, et al., 2008).

Parent-guided Language Use and Skills is designed to provide specially designed instruction (SDI) for children with mild to moderate language delays, with or without articulation delays.  Parents and children attend the group together; a speech language pathologist and special education preschool teacher facilitate the group.   The teacher and speech therapist provide SDI in language while involving parents in the use of language coaching to provide carry-over to their home and community environment to support their child’s development.  The interactions in the class are designed to facilitate purposeful play by enhancing a child’s potential for learning communication skills and problem-solving skills so they can learn to help others (social skills) and get their own needs met (adaptive skills).

Preschool Alternative for Language and Socialization (PALS)

PALS is a highly structured program specifically designed to meet the needs of preschool children highly impacted by autism. Considerable diagnostic and anecdotal information in conjunction with medical and professional evaluations are considered before a placement recommendation for a PALS program is made.

Other Special Education Services

Other services include either direct or consultative services that are provided by District Psychologists, Speech Language Pathologists, Occupational/Physical Therapists, Vision Specialists, Audiologists, and other service providers.