The Manchester Early Childhood Education Program provides a safe and nurturing environment for children three to five years old, with and without special needs. Our classes offer half-day programming located at Martin Elementary School, Keeney Elementary School and the Manchester Preschool Center. Students are referred to the Early Childhood Education Program from a variety of sources: parents, community-based preschools, State of Connecticut Birth to Three Program, area preschools, and local pediatricians. The curriculum is in accordance with the Connecticut Preschool Frameworks with the caveat of providing individualized instruction based on students’ unique needs.
The Integrated program promotes healthy emotional, social, cognitive, communicative and physical development of all children. An understanding of child development, respect for the individual needs of children, and ongoing assessment are all used to plan, organize and direct the program.
Classes include blended groups of children ages three to five including:
Children with developmental delays who are
- Identified through a collaborative assessment and an Individualized Education Program (IEP)
- Typically developing children who pay tuition to attend
- Children who struggle to learn who receive support and instruction through Scientifically Researched-Based Interventions (SRBI)
The Bureau of Special Education is pleased to announce a new partnership with the Office of Early Childhood and Sparkler that will help all Connecticut children get off to a strong start. Sparkler is an app that is free for families and can be used as a developmental screening tool, a source for activities to support child development, and assists parents with making connections with professionals. Sparkler engages families to promote healthy early childhood development. Please click here for information on how to download Sparkler.