The Early Childhood Program offers a variety of preschool services and classes at two preschool locations. The classes are developed each year to best meet the needs of the children in the program. The 2006-2007 school year preschool classes are as follows:
Developmental Preschool: Several developmental preschool classes are offered that have small student to teacher ratios. These classes are offered with a variety of schedules to meet the various needs of children with developmental delays. Developmental preschool classes are located at Washington Elementary School and Olds Station Preschool.
Co-operative Preschool: Wenatchee School District teams with the Washington Developmental Preschool, a private community based program. This joint program offers two sessions, one for three year olds and one for four year olds. The district's early childhood special education teacher team teaches with the Washington co-op teacher to provide services in an inclusive classroom. The community students are enrolled through the co-op and pay a monthly tuition. Community space is limited. Children with developmental delays are enrolled through the school district and are placed in the classroom according to the child's special education needs. This program is located at Washington Elementary School.
Early Childhood Education Assistance Program (ECEAP): The district partners with Chelan/Douglas Head Start to offer several ECEAP classes. District children placed in an ECEAP classroom qualify based on their special education needs and economic status. Each classroom also has several students that qualify only based on their family's economic status. Children who attend based on income-only eligibility are enrolled through Head Start. A Wenatchee School District early childhood special education teacher is the leader of the classroom. ECEAP classes are located at Olds Station Preschool.
Head Start/Early Head Start: Wenatchee resident children that are attending the Head Start center in Wenatchee and are in need of special education services are provided those services by Wenatchee School District at the Head Start site. Any child that is in need of an evaluation is also screened and tested on site at Head Start by the district. Head Start also has a program called Early Head Start that provides services to families with children under the age of three. Any child in Early Head Start that is in need of services must be referred to a Family Resource Coordinator who helps the family link with community agencies that provide support for infants/toddlers. Head Start is located on Kittitas Street.
Toddler Groups: Wenatchee School District teams with the Pediatric Therapy Center to provide early intervention services to infants and toddlers. All families with concerns regarding their infant or toddler are referred to a Family Resource Coordinator who helps the family link with community agencies that provide support for infants/toddlers.
Individual Services: Many children do not need to be placed in a group environment for early intervention. These children may be served during individual or small groups on site or in a community setting.