To encourage a positive learning environment that stimulates and nurtures children’s growth and development through the use of traditional and progressive teaching styles which address the needs of special learners. Through teacher-directed, student-directed and structured play activities, children learn developmentally and age-appropriate skills in the areas of cognition, social-emotional, physical, language, and early literacy. Our programs foster independence while preparing children for kindergarten transition and beyond.

Our programs serves over 3,000 Broward County preschoolers with an IEP and in one or more of the following exceptionalities:

• Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Deaf/ Hard of Hearing
• Developmentally Delayed
• Dual Sensory Impaired
• Emotional Behavior Disorder
• Orthopedically Impaired
• Other Health Impaired
• Intellectual Disability
• Specific Learning Disability
• Speech Impaired
• Language Impaired
• Traumatic Brain Injured
• Visually Impaired

Depending on the exceptionality and its impact on the preschooler's social and academic performances, the IEP team determines and recommends services to meet the student's IEP goals. Below is a summary of those services and programs:

Walk - In Therapy: A walk - in therapy program for speech or language may be considered for any eligible child whether or not the child is in a private preschool, a day care program, or at home. If the child is eligible for speech or language, he/she may receive these services on a walk - in basis at the public school closest to the home. Typically, the educational need of preschool children in this program is in the area of communication. This service MUST be staffed with a certified Speech/Language Pathologist (SLP).

AM/PM Model: This model provides a half-day ESE program for students with speech, language and/or mild developmental delays. The curriculum focus is on communication and social skills for those students who do not require the intensity of a full day program. Typically the educational needs of the preschool children in this program are in the areas of language and communication, which may impact social-emotional, cognitive and/or independent functioning. 

Integrated Preschool: This model provides an inclusive full day program for ESE children to interact and work with typically developing peers. The curriculum focus is on instruction in readiness, communication, independent functioning and social skills. Typically, the educational needs of the preschool ESE children in this program are in the areas of cognition, communication, social-emotional and independent functioning. 

Specialized Preschool: This model provides a self-contained program for ESE children with developmental delays. The curriculum focus is on instruction in readiness skills, communication, independent functioning and social skills. Typically, the educational needs of the preschool children in this program are in the areas of cognition, communication, social-emotional and independent functioning. 

Intensive Preschool: This model provides a self-contained program for ESE children who require intensive instruction in all domains and a highly structured classroom environment. The curriculum focus is on instruction in communication, independent functioning, social skills, and pre-academics.

Intensive Preschool Behavior: This model provides intensive instruction with an emphasis on behavior change in a highly structured environment. The curriculum focus is on instruction in readiness skills, communication, independent functioning and social skills. Typically, the priority educational need of the preschool children in this program is in the area of social-emotional functioning, as well as independent functioning and communication.

Our ESE Pre-K programs have the support of district program specialist and curriculum supervisors to monitor and assist in the delivery of quality special education services.

For more information and resources on early learning and developmental standards, please click on the following links:

Florida Early Learning and Developmental Standards

• Florida Early Learning Standards
• Preschool Resources for Families and Educators