Philosophy
Our staff members work collaboratively with families to meet the unique needs of each child. By implementing proven developmental practices, pursuing innovation, and continuous improvement, we believe we can achieve success for all children.
Program Staff
All program staff is committed to early childhood education as the foundation for academic, social, and life-long achievement. A team approach is used to meet the needs of each child. Teachers, along with parents, are the center of each team. They have the support of administrators, counselors, instructional support teachers, nurses, psychologists, speech/language pathologists, occupational therapists, and instructional assistants. Whenever a difficulty is noted with a student's progress and development, the child's teacher and other key team members will meet to plan for the student's success.
Special Education
Young children are eligible for special education services based on educational needs in one or more of the following areas:
- Cognitive
- Communication
- Fine Motor
- Gross Motor
- Social/Emotional
- Adaptive
Children can also qualify based on other specific disabilities. In addition to progress monitoring on IEP goals, all students who are enrolled in the special education preschool program will be assessed as part of the federally required Early Childhood Outcomes Project. An exit assessment will also be completed for students who remain in the program for at least six months.
Program Structure
Birth to Three
The North Kitsap School District provides services to infants and toddlers with developmental delays and disabilities through the Holly Ridge center. Holly Ridge provides educational and therapeutic services in addition to family resource coordination. Services are located within the district or at the Holly Ridge Bremerton site. Infants and toddlers are also served by Early Head Start. If your child is under the age of 3 you can contact Holly Ridge Center at (360) 373-2536 to inquire about assessment and/or services.
Preschool
Beginning Together
Three and four-year-olds with and without disabilities are eligible to attend our Beginning Together Preschool Program at Wolfle and Poulsbo Elementary schools. The program is open to continuous enrollment for children with individualized education programs (IEPs). Other children who do not have IEPs attend based on the space available. Tuition is charged for non-special education students.
Head Start
Four agencies operate separate Head Start programs in the North Kitsap School District. These include the S'Klallam and Suquamish Tribal Head Start programs and ESD 114 and Kitsap Community Resource programs. The North Kitsap School District has an ongoing preschool-to-kindergarten transition cycle with all Head Starts.
Kindergarten
All children turning age 5 before August 31 are eligible to attend kindergarten. Five-year-olds with intensive special education needs may be eligible to attend the Intensive Support Program for this age group.
Identification
Any parent residing in the North Kitsap School District may schedule an appointment for the monthly Childfind screening. For more information, contact Anita Lemieux, the Early Childhood Coordinator, at (360) 396-3869, [email protected]. If your child is under the age of 3, you can contact Holly Ridge Center at (360) 373-2536 to inquire about assessment and/or services.