Preschool Programming

Our Staff and Facilities

Little Learners (preschool) classrooms are staffed by lead teachers who are certified in early childhood, special education, and English Language Learners (ELL). 

In addition, the program is supported by a school psychologist, social worker, occupational therapist, physical therapist, speech-language pathologists and paraeducators. Vision and Hearing Itinerant support also is available for eligible students.  Our interdisciplinary team allows us to support students in a way that addresses the whole child.

Curriculum, Assessment & Instruction

Our program addresses the Illinois Early Learning and Development Standards (IELDS) through research-based curriculum and assessment:

• Creative Curriculum
• GOLD Assessment
• Second Step Program

Itinerant Services

Itinerant services are offered for eligible children ages 3-5 years of age in the areas of speech-language and/or occupational therapy who demonstrate a delay but do not qualify for the preschool program.  

Eligibility for Preschool or Itinerant Services

• Screening Process
  • District 70 offers preschool screenings for children 3 to 5 years old. The developmental screening includes assessment in the areas of motor, language, and social-emotional development. The screening provides the early childhood team with valuable information to determine if a child’s skills are developing within the typical range or if further assessment is warranted.
  • Screenings are held at the District 70 Educational Resource Center at 1381 Lake St., Libertyville (across from Butterfield School). 

  • Developmental areas screened include: 
    o   Communication: Receptive and expressive language skills,
    o   Gross Motor: Use of large muscles for sitting, walking, etc.,
    o   Fine Motor: Hand and finger movement and coordination,
    o   Problem-Solving: Ability to play with toys and solve problems,
    o   And personal-social: Self-help skills and interaction with others.

  • Screening dates
• Evaluation
  • If an evaluation is recommended, the early childhood team will obtain parental consent and follow evaluation and eligibility procedures required by state and federal law.
  • Information about District 70's Special Education Services.
  • For more information, contact Mary Tyree, administrative assistant in the Special Services Dept., 847-247-2694, mtyree@d70schools.org 

With winter underway, we must prepare for the potential snow remote learning day. EC students receive a weekly tech group, and thus we do not require students to bring their devices to and from school. As a result, students will soon be receiving asynchronous learning activities to complete during any potential remote learning days ahead.

Please check your child's backpacks for these remote learning packets. Please store them in a secure place, and refer to them in the case of any remote learning days. You will find activities that span the variety of instruction your child typically receives within the early childhood program. In addition, on these days, the EC staff will be available during regular school hours for “office hours,” if you would like to meet/email.