District 70’s early childhood program believes in fostering the development of the whole child through positive social interaction, meaningful play and family collaboration.
Overview
The District 70 Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) Program provides preschool education for eligible students with Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) ages 3-5 years who live within Libertyville School District 70. The program is located at Butterfield School.
Early Childhood classrooms are staffed by one early childhood special education teacher and one paraeducator. ECSE classrooms may have up to 10 students, maintaining a 5:1 student to teacher ratio.
In addition, the program is supported by a school psychologist, social worker, occupational therapist, physical therapist and two speech-language pathologists. Vision and Hearing Itinerant support is also available for eligible students. Our interdisciplinary team allows us to support students in a way that addresses the whole child.
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 ECSE program.
Eligibility for Early Childhood Special Education or Itinerant Services
Screening Process
District 70 offers preschool screenings for children three to five years of age. 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 typical range or further assessment is warranted.
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 (link to sped page)
Blended Early Childhood Education is a preschool classroom that includes general education students and students with Individualized Education Plans (IEPs).
Enrollment for general education students in the Blended Early Childhood Classroom is a tuition-based opportunity that is open to families who reside within District 70 boundaries.
Blended Early Childhood Classrooms will be taught by a dually certified teacher in early childhood and special education.
The enrollment in each classroom will be 15 children with one teacher and one paraeducator.
Qualifications: Children must be 3 years of age, toilet trained, and demonstrate age-appropriate skills (determined through the applicant screening process). Applicants will be scheduled in the order that they are completed.
The Blended Early Childhood Program will follow the District 70 calendar. The program runs Monday through Thursday . The morning session runs 8:15 to 10:45 and the afternoon session runs 12:05 to 2:35.
The annual tuition is $2350.00. A non refundable deposit of $235.00 will be required at the time of registration.
Offering a new half-day, blended early childhood program next school year for general education and special education students will provide inclusion and an early connection to Libertyville School District 70 schools.
The plan was revealed during a board of education meeting on Sept. 2021, where school board members praised the new program.
“I am very excited about this new opportunity for our youngest students and their families,” said Matt Barbini, superintendent. “Dr. Otto, Mrs. Modra and the rest of the Early Childhood team have done and continue to do great work for our preschool students and this is the next chapter.”
The new blended early childhood program will extend the continuum of placement options for students with Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) now offered in District 70 and offer a tuition-based preschool program for residents of Libertyville for general education students. Students with IEPs have been evaluated and typically need extra help in several areas such as speech and language and fine motor development. The program, which will be offered in the morning from 8:15 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. and again in the afternoon from 12:05 to 2:35 p.m., from Monday through Thursday, and will be housed at Butterfield School, 1441 W. Lake St., Libertyville. Fees are still being reviewed.
D70's program will be taught by teachers with dual endorsement in early childhood and special education using a research-based curriculum.
“The early childhood team has worked collaboratively over this past year and will continue to do so this year in preparation for the new program,” said Carrie Modra, D70’s special services coordinator. “Dr. Chris Otto (director of special services) and Supt. Dr. Barbini have provided continued support to make this vision a reality. I’m truly excited because this is a great opportunity for District 70 families who value inclusion and a connection with our schools.”
An open house is planned to run from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 9, at Butterfield School, 1441 W. Lake St., Libertyville.
We are delighted by your interest in District 70's early childhood program. Our early childhood program is housed at Butterfield School and runs Monday- Thursday. The morning session runs from 8:15 to10:45 a.m. and the afternoon session runs from 12:05 to 2:35 p.m. Please submit your application online at D70 Little Learners Application 2022-23.
Applications: OPEN NOVEMBER 15th
*Applicants will be considered in the order that the application process was completed.
Annual Fee: $2350
A non refundable deposit of $235.00 will be required at the time of registration.
