EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAMS

School District 54 offers services for many children ages 0 to 5 before they are eligible to start kindergarten.

District 54 Preschool (Parent Paid) serves children ages 3 to 5 who are progressing at a rate typical for their age. Call Hoover School at (847) 357-5800 or Collins School at (847) 357-6100 for more information.

Early Childhood Special Education is for children ages 3 to 5 who are identified with significant delays in one or more areas of development. Once determined eligible following a screening and evaluation, an Individualized Education Plan is developed for each child. Call (847) 357-5213 for a screening appointment.

Preschool for All 3-5 Early Childhood At-Risk is an Illinois State Board of Education grant for at-risk preschool children who are not progressing at a rate anticipated for their potential success in kindergarten. Children may be identified as at-risk in one or more of the following areas: low income, language, socialization, peer interactions, behavior, family systems, attending skills and organization. For information, call (847) 357-5213.

The Family Involvement Nurturing Development Program (FIND) is a parental support program for families with infants and toddlers. Activities include parent-child workshops, open gym, parent support groups, home visits and Family Resource Centers, which house toys, books, videos, cassettes and a parent resource collection. For information, call (847) 357-5173.

Preschool for All 0-3 Prevention Initiative, an Illinois State Board of Education grant, provides adult education in parenting, adult literacy, child literacy and parent-child interactions, and includes home visits. Families with children who are infants and toddlers must meet specific income and education criteria. For more information, please call (847) 357-5214.