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North Stonington Public Pre-K

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Child Find Obligations

North Stonington Public Schools is dedicated to identifying and evaluating all children ages 3–5 who may have developmental delays or disabilities under IDEA’s Child Find requirements.

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We conduct Early Childhood Screenings throughout the year to assess developmental readiness and identify areas where additional support may be beneficial.

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What is Child Find?

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  • A federal obligation to locate and evaluate children with suspected disabilities.

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  • Applies to all children ages 3–5, whether or not they are enrolled in school.
     

  • If you have concerns about your child’s development, please contact our office at 860-535-4451 to schedule a screening.

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Special Education Services

Children identified by a Planning and Placement Team (PPT) may receive services such as:

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  • Speech Therapy
     

  • Occupational Therapy
     

  • Special Education Instruction
     

  • Social Skills Support
     

These services are delivered in a supportive environment to meet each child’s individual needs.

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For additional information, visit:

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2025–2026 Early Childhood Screenings

We invite parents and guardians to bring their children between 36 months and 5 years for developmental screenings.
A screening is not required to enter the preschool lottery.

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Upcoming Screening Dates:

  • November 14, 2025
     

  • December 12, 2025
     

  • January 16, 2026
     

  • February 13, 2026
     

  • March 20, 2026
     

  • April 24, 2026
     

  • May 15, 2026
     

What to Expect:

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  • Assessments in the following developmental areas:
     

    • Cognition
       

    • Language
       

    • Motor Development
       

    • Personal/Social Development
       

  • Parents complete a Pre-K Developmental History Form
     

Interested in a Screening?

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To schedule an Early Childhood Screening, please contact the Special Services Office at 860-535-4451,

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or text April Christiansen at 860-287-8524 with your name and phone number.

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You may also email Ryan Beattie at beattier@nostoschools.org.

Health and Enrollment Requirements

Before entering preschool, all children must have a current Early Childhood Health Assessment Record and up-to-date immunizations.

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Download Health Assessment Form (CT SDE)

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Our preschool follows all Connecticut Office of Early Childhood guidelines for health, safety, and staff qualifications.

Staff Credentials and Ratios

All classrooms are staffed by certified early childhood educators, paraeducators, and related service providers who meet the Qualified Staff Member (QSM) requirements.

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Typical Ratios:

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  • Integrated classrooms: 1 certified teacher and 1 paraprofessional per 8–10 children
     

  • Special education classrooms: staffing individualized per student needs based on each child’s IEP
     

OEC Qualified Staff Member (QSM) Requirements

Family Partnerships and Engagement

Families are an essential part of our program. We communicate regularly through conferences, progress reports, and family engagement events. Parents are encouraged to participate in classroom activities, share their child’s strengths, and collaborate in planning their educational experiences.

 

Strong partnerships between home and school help build trust, consistency, and success for every child.

Transition to Kindergarten

Our preschool curriculum aligns with the Connecticut Early Learning and Development Standards (ELDS) and CT Documentation and Observation for Teaching System (CT DOTS) to ensure a smooth transition to kindergarten.

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Transition planning for children moving to kindergarten or other programs begins early in the school year. Our staff collaborate with families and receiving schools to ensure continuity of supports and services.

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CT Early Learning and Development Standards (ELDS)

Sparkler App for Early Learning

Families are encouraged to download the Sparkler App — a free, CT-approved app for parents to track their child’s development and access early learning activities.

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Sparkler integrates with Connecticut’s Ages & Stages Questionnaire (ASQ-3) and connects families with community resources when needed.

Licensing Status

As a public school program operated by North Stonington Public Schools, our preschool is license-exempt under Connecticut law (CGS §19a-77). We continue to meet all applicable health, safety, and staffing standards required by the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood.

Accessibility Statement

North Stonington Public Schools is committed to ensuring that all information on our website is accessible to individuals with disabilities. If you require assistance accessing preschool information or forms, please contact the Special Services Department at 860-535-4451.

Additional Resources

Contact Information

April Christiansen
Director of Special Services
North Stonington Public Schools
Phone: 860-535-4451
Work Cell: 860-287-8524

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