Contact Information

Melissa Horton, Preschool Coordinator/School Psychologist
425.413.3579
mhorton@tahomasd.us

Katrina Osborn, Preschool Secretary
425.413.3250
Kosborn@tahomasd.us

What is the Developmental Preschool Program?

The program, through the school district, is a Special Education Developmental Preschool Program. Tahoma's preschool was established to accommodate children who are eligible for special education services due to developmental delays. We do include typically developing children that we refer to as peers, with special education students. Tahoma does not have a separate general education preschool program for typically developing peers.

For typically developing children, within our developmental program, we have inclusive classrooms that include 50% special education children and 50% peers, with class numbers averaging 18-20 students. We also have integrated classrooms that contain 4 peers and up to 11 special education children, capped at 15 students. All peers pay tuition to be in the program and are peer models for our students with special needs. All children receive the same instruction and work on readiness skills for kindergarten in the areas of pre-academics, fine motor, gross motor, social/behavior development, daily living skills (e.g., taking on/off backpack and putting in their cubby, eating at snack time, following routines and expectations for a classroom, etc.), and language development.

PEER PROGRAM

This program is looking for typical developing children as Peer Models; Ages 3-5 Years Old.
- Children turning 3 by August 31^st of the school year are eligible to attend the morning program 8:40 am – 11:25 am.
- Children turning 4 by August 31^st of the school year are eligible to attend the afternoon program 12:20 pm – 3:10 pm.
Days: Monday – Thursday.
Preschool Program is located at Lake Wilderness Elementary School and we follow the District School Calendar(K-8).
Daycare is not provided.
Parents must provide their own transportation.
Children must be potty trained.
According to the Washington Administrative Code WAC 246-105-030, any child attending school, preschool, or childcare in Washington State is required by law to be fully immunized or have an exemption in place.
Cost: $350 per month, with a $30 non-refundable registration fee.

To add your child to our Peer Program Wait List, please provide your child’s full name, date of birth, home address and all parent contact details to:

Katrina Osborn, Preschool Secretary
425-413-3250
kosborn@tahomasd.us

DEVELOPMENTAL PROGRAM (SPECIAL EDUCATION)

The Developmental Preschool Program is designed for children ages 3-5 years who are eligible for special education services. This is a Federal and State mandated program that is funded from federal and state dollars. Tahoma School District’s program offers a continuum of program options and services based on eligibility and needs:

Types of Programs/Classrooms:

Inclusive: 50% of the students are typically developing children/peers using a tuition model; the other students are special education students. This meets the state requirement for what is noted as a regular early childhood preschool classroom for special education students.
Integrated: Considered a separate classroom that contains 4 typical developing children/peers who pay tuition to be peer models, for up to 11 special education children. This classroom is capped at 15 students and provides children with disabilities the opportunity to integrate with some typical peers, but in a more structured classroom setting that can provide more individualized assistance to children with special needs.
Self-Contained: Only special needs eligible children attend, with no typical peers. This classroom is designed to support children with greater needs in a high adult, low child ratio.

In addition to the preschool classroom, children who have been evaluated by the preschool Child Find team can qualify for single service therapy, conducted as stand-alone services.

Therapy – Receive weekly therapy by a school district Speech/Language Pathologist.
Occupational Therapy – Receive weekly therapy by an Occupational Therapist.
Physical Therapy – Receive weekly therapy by a Physical Therapist.

Children that qualify for special education services and are enrolled in the Developmental Program attend class either in the morning or the afternoon session. Typically, there are age requirements for placement in the morning or afternoon programs. They are as follows:

The morning program is primarily for 3’s and young 4’s and runs from 8:40 am – 11:25 am.
The afternoon program is primarily for 4’s and young 5’s and runs from 12:20 pm – 3:10 pm.

Tahoma School District Transportation is provided for special education preschool students that live within the school district’s boundaries.

To evaluate if your child qualifies for special education services you can contact

Melissa Horton, Preschool Coordinator/School Psychologist
425-413-3579
mhorton@tahomasd.us

EARLY INTERVENTION SERVICES (i.e. Birth to 3)

Tahoma School District does not provide Birth to 3 services. However Children’s Therapy Center(CTC) in Kent, WA evaluates children between the ages 0 months – 3 years and if eligible provides early intervention services. For further information please contact CTC Kent office at 253-854-5660 or www.ctckids.org

Preschool Programs