Oakwood Preschool
Oakwood Preschool Mission
In an effort to provide appropriate services to preschool-aged children with disabilities, the Oakwood City Schools offers an integrated preschool program, which operates four days per week with 2 hour, 45-minute sessions.
Both preschool-age children with disabilities and typically developing children are enrolled in the program. The purpose of this program is to provide children with disabilities intervention services designed to meet their specific needs and the opportunity to interact with typically developing children in a positive learning environment.
Important Information about Oakwood Preschool
- Located at Smith Elementary School
- Serves up to 48 preschoolers with disabilities and 48 preschoolers who are typically developing, with a maximum of 16 per classes
- Half-day program, running four days a week, Monday - Thursday
- Morning session is 8:45 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
- Afternoon session is 12:15 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
- Cost for 2023 - 2024 program is $1600/year or $400/quarter.
In addition, monthly screenings are available for families with children ages 3 - 5 who live within the District’s bounds and are not currently attending the program to assist in determining if a disability should be suspected.
Preschool Registration 2024-25 School Year
Preschool registration for the 2024-25 school year will open on Saturday, April 13, 2024, at 8:00 a.m. Families are asked to complete the registration forms. Availability is based on a first-come, first-serve basis. Please note, the link for registration will only be accessible starting at 8:00 a.m. on the 13th. For more registration information, contact:
Haley Goodwin
goodwin.haley@oakwoodschools.org
Session Times
Oakwood Preschool has two sessions, four days a week.
Morning Session
Monday - Thursday 8:45 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Afternoon Session
Monday - Thursday 12:15 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Staff
Rachel Balsbaugh, Preschool
Teacher/Intervention Specialist
Beth Freels, Preschool Teacher/Intervention Specialist
Amy Duvic, Paraprofessional
Melissa Wallace, Speech/Language Pathologist
Anne Klene, Occupational Therapist
Karen Stevens, Occupational Therapist
Eileen Epley, Physical Therapist
Deb Osterfeld, Adapted Physical Educator
Haley Goodwin, School Psychologist
Oakwood Preschool Receives 5 Star Rating
High-quality learning and development programs are important because early experiences last a lifetime. Your child has approximately 1,892 days from the time he or she is born until kindergarten. What happens on this journey lays the foundation for success in school and life.
A Step Up To Quality Five-Star rating means your child is in a program that has demonstrated the highest level of quality. Below are some of the ways a program can provide increased quality at the five star level.
· There are more staff members per child.
Teachers have more time to support your child’s individual development and learning. This is important because 90 percent of brain development occurs by the time your child is 6 years old.
· The administrator and teachers have higher educational qualifications.
The administrator and most teachers have a bachelor’s or master’s degree and many years’ experience working with young children. These qualifications benefit your child’s development and learning.
· The administrator and teachers complete more than 20 hours of specialized training every two years.
The administrator and teaching staff are committed to expanding their education and skills to better support your child’s development and learning.
· Teachers develop lesson plans that support each child’s growth.
Teachers plan intentional and purposeful activities and experiences that meet the needs, interests and abilities of children. These activities and experiences support them and their development.
· Program staff completes assessments to evaluate and improve the learning experience.
Assessments with your child help keep track of his or her growth over time. This lets teachers adjust how they offer experiences to your child daily.
· Families and the community are valued.
Programs work with families and neighborhood organizations to provide more opportunities for children.
· The program provides at least three of the following to staff: health insurance, paid leave, tuition reimbursement, discount on child care, paid professional development, retirement, flexible spending account, one hour of paid planning time weekly, paid holidays or life insurance.
The program supports and values employees and retains good teachers.