EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER

The Early Childhood Center (ECC) is newly located in the historic city of San Juan Capistrano, CA. The ECC serves children from birth through Transitional Kindergarten age. Enrollment in our special education specific programs is based on eligibility for special education and the Individualized Education Program (IEP) team recommendations. The mission of the Early Childhood Center is to create an early childhood community with a focus on providing high-quality early childhood programming, while supporting the individual needs of young children and diverse learners, and fostering a place of inclusion and belonging. Students at the Early Childhood Center (ECC) learn in a natural, activity-based environment where instruction is embedded throughout daily routines, play, and meaningful interactions. This activity-based approach integrates each child's individualized goals and objectives into engaging, developmentally appropriate learning experiences. Instruction is guided by the California Preschool/Transitional Kindergarten Learning Foundations, ensuring that students build foundational skills while making progress toward their individualized goals.

 

Teachers, related service providers, and administrators are highly trained educational professionals who are credentialed through the State of California. Specialists in the areas of speech and language, psychology, occupational and physical therapy, vision, deaf/blind intervention, deaf and hard of hearing, mobility and integration, audiology, and health services work collaboratively with teachers and staff to provide required services for our students with specific needs. Instructional assistants are also trained to support classroom programs through the use of evidence-based practices and strategies.

 

Students participate in the general education curriculum, and in extracurricular and other nonacademic activities with non-disabled children as appropriate. Students have access to technology through the use of computers with adaptive devices and specialized software. Adaptive equipment and materials, and augmentative communication devices and techniques are used throughout the school to enhance the educational programs for students.

 

Ages Served: Birth through Transitional Kindergarten age

 

Angela Dryden
Director II