Smithton CCSD 130

What is the purpose of Preschool Screening?

Early screening enables our licensed professionals to identify whether children are meeting their developmental milestones.  Developmental milestones not reached or reached at a much later time than their peers, could be a sign of a developmental delay.

Children are screened in the following areas of development:

• Personal Social Behavior: How the child interacts (verbal and/or nonverbal) with adults, peers, and his/her environment.

• Problem Solving/Readiness: How the child applies learned information through adult and/or child directed tasks.

• Communication: The child’s ability to speak and express him/herself to others as well as to understand presented questions.

• Fine and Gross Motor Skills: A child’s gross motor skills are large body movements, whereas, fine motor skills target the way a child uses his/her hands, fingers, and arms.

What age does my child need to be to have a preschool screening?

Children must be 3 years old by September 1st, children who turn 5 years old after September 1st are not eligible for the Pre-K/ECC program.

How long does the screening process take?

The screening process takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes.

What do I need to do to schedule my child for a screening?

Please contact the school office at (618) 233-6863 to start the preschool screening process.

What happens if the screener finds a concern during the early childhood screening?

There are a few options if the screener finds an area of concern in your child’s development.

• The screener and the parent may decide to refer your child for an evaluation by the school. 

• The screening team takes into consideration all developmental and environmental factors prior to determining eligibility.

• Once eligibility has been determined, the team will notify the child’s parent/guardian.

• Your child will be invited to enroll in the program based on available slots, if there are no available slots your child will be placed on our waiting list.  The early childhood program has a morning and afternoon program.

• Students who qualify for the early childhood program can be 3 or 4 years of age.

• When an opening becomes available parents/guardians will be contacted and provided registration information.

What happens after the screening if my child does NOT have a developmental delay?

• If your child is screened and does not have a developmental delay he or she can attend our Pre-K program.  

• Students must be 4 years of age by September 1st. Children who turn 5 years old after September 1st are not eligible for the Pre-K/ECC program.

• Our preschool program is a tuition based program.