Special Education Early Childhood (SEEC) Preschool Program

Files designated with

open with the free Acrobat® Reader®:

Email questions and comments regarding the content and function of this website to webmaster@sandi.net.

Email general district inquiries to communications@sandi.net.

Email employment inquiries to jobs@sandi.net.

Submit staff questions about email or computer issues to the IT helpdesk.

Special Education Programs Division
Special Education Early Childhood (SEEC) Preschool Program


•	Overview
•	Referrals & Eligibility
•	Programs and Services
•	Transitioning
•	Related Resources
•	Contact Information

Overview
The Special Education Early Childhood (SEEC) Preschool Program provides early intervention services to eligible preschool children between the ages of three to five. Coordinated services are provided through a language-based, developmentally appropriate curriculum. Opportunities are available for children with disabilities to interact and participate in activities with typically developing preschool peers. Students may receive service in community preschools such as Head Start, state preschools, child development centers and private preschools.

Referrals & Eligibility
Preschool-aged children may be referred for special education preschool programs by parents or other interested parties, including preschool teachers, medical professionals, representatives of community agencies, etc. Referrals may be made by calling the Special Education Early Childhood (SEEC) office at (858) 490-8521. (Espanol: (858) 490-8523).
To determine if a child is eligible for special education, information is gathered from a variety of sources, including:



.	The results of a play-based assessment conducted by a transdisciplinary team, which may include a psychologist, speech language pathologist, occupational therapist, nurse and adapted physical education staff);
.	Review of available medical and/or developmental reports;
.	An interview with parent(s) or primary caregiver; and
.	Completion of formal and/or informal evaluation tools.

To share the results of the evaluation, a meeting is convened with the parent(s) or primary caregiver and the Individualized Education Program (IEP) team. The team members summarize the evaluation results and current developmental skills. If the child meets the eligibility criteria for one of the 13 disability areas and is found to be in need of special education services, the IEP team, comprised of the parent, school staff and others invited, may develop an IEP. Specific goals are developed for each area of a student's identified need.

Programs/Services
A range of services and program options is considered by the IEP team. All programs and services considered must reflect a free and appropriate public education (FAPE) and ensure the student is educated in the least restrictive environment (LRE). Program options available for preschool students include:

Designated Instruction and Service (DIS)
These services include such supplemental services as speech, occupational therapy and Adapted Physical Education (APE) .

Preschool Language Groups (PLG)
A speech language pathologist provides intensive instruction in a small group for children with communication and/or social delays.

Inclusion
An inclusion Resource Specialist consults with the staff at private and public preschools where special education students attend in order to coordinate, support, and monitor the progress of the child.

Special Day Class (SDC)
Special day classes, which are a more restrictive placement option, provide developmentally appropriate curricula and instruction for those children who require this level of service.

Transitioning Into Kindergarten
During the school year that the child turns five, the teacher and parent begin planning for the child's transition to kindergarten. With parental permission, assessment information is updated. An IEP meeting is convened, updated information shared, and goals and objectives are developed. Kindergarten placement options are considered at this time and the appropriate service(s) and/or programs are identified.

Related Resources

SEEC Preschool Program Fact Sheet: English

| Spanish

Exceptional Family Resource Center (EFRC)
The Exceptional Family Resource Center (EFRC) offers families of students with disabilities emotional support, factual information and encouragement. The services of the EFRC are provided with respect to a family's goals, strengths, priorities, privacy and diversity.

Head Start
Head Start is a federally funded child development program designed to help break the cycle of poverty by providing preschool children of low- income families with a comprehensive program to meet their emotional. social, health, nutritional and psychological needs. The approach is that the parent is the child's primary educator and that the entire family, as well as, the community, must be involved.

Contact Information

Topic/Title	Contact
Special Education Early Childhood (SEEC) Preschool Program Whittier Center 3401 Clairemont Dr., B-27 San Diego, CA 92117	Beth Hannaman , Program Manager bhannaman@sandi.net (858) 490-8500

>> Special Education Programs Division