Inclusion Preschool

Inclusion Preschool

The District 90 Inclusion Preschool provides students with a positive, nurturing environment that fosters social, emotional, physical, and cognitive growth and development. This program allows preschool students to access an environment, materials, and curriculum that help prepare them for Kindergarten. The classroom is comprised of 3, 4, and 5-year-old students who work and play with students of all abilities. The students' diverse learning needs are met by having a low student-to-teacher ratio, which provides individual and small group attention opportunities. The District conducts developmental screenings for children in order to provide targeted interventions and resources to address areas of identified developmental need.

DEVELOPMENTAL SCREENING

District 90 conducts ongoing screenings for children between the ages of 2 years 10 months to 5 years old. Our screening process allows the early childhood team to identify whether children are meeting their developmental milestones. Children are screened in the following areas of development:

Communication is the child’s ability to use language to express wants and have needs met. Communication also includes the child’s ability to understand what others are saying. 
Fine Motor & Gross Motor skills are how students use their bodies within their environment. Gross motor skills are large body movements such as jumping, while fine motor skills are how children use their hands and fingers. 
Problem Solving is the child’s ability to learn and play with objects.
Personal-Social skills are the child’s skills related to social play and self-help.

THE SCREENING PROCESS

First Step 
If you have concerns about your child’s development, contact Debbie Lubeck, Director of Student Services ([email protected]), to receive and complete the Ages & Stages Questionnaire. 

Second Step 
The early childhood team will review your questionnaire, and you will be notified about the results. Results will be reported as “Passed,” “Rescreen,” or “Refer for additional screening” If additional screening is needed, a member of the early childhood team will discuss this with you.

HOW DO I KNOW IF I SHOULD BE CONCERNED ABOUT MY CHILD’S DEVELOPMENT?

Please remember that all children develop at different rates and that there is a wide range of “typical development” at this age. Below is a link that will provide guidelines for you to consider regarding your child’s development. If you are unsure whether you should be concerned, please talk to your child’s pediatrician or contact Debbie Lubeck, Director of Student Services ([email protected]). View information on children’s developmental milestones.

WHAT IF MY CHILD IS YOUNGER THAN 2 YEARS 10 MONTHS OLD? 

Families are encouraged to talk with their pediatricians about child development concerns. In addition, families can contact Child & Family Connections, Suburban Access, at 708-449-0625. 

INCLUSION PRESCHOOL LOTTERY
The inclusion preschool program has a limited number of openings for children who are not in need of specific interventions each year.  Families can apply online for their child to participate in the program which begins the following August.  Students will be selected from the applicant pool through an electronic lottery process.  The lottery for the 2025-26 school year will be open from October 21, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. until November 20, 2024 at 11:59 p.m.  Additional information about our lottery, including a link the lottery application, can be found here.