South Kingstown Inclusive Preschool (SKIP)

Eight years ago, in 1995, South Kingstown's Preschool Program first became inclusive based on the belief that children learn best in a setting that includes children of all abilities. Inclusive is referred to as the process of including children with special education supports in a program with peers without special needs. Children in need of special education supports usually require adaptation to a preschool curriculum and to the classroom environment. All of their support services are included in the classroom as part of their integration. A transdisciplinary team approach is used, which is a method designed to coordinate all of the child's services. This is accomplished by the service providers sharing, or transferring, information and skills across disciplinary boundaries. By working together and sharing techniques and skills, we get a more balanced picture of the child and can therefore create the best possible programming for the children we support.

Research has found that all children benefit from being placed in the "least restrictive environment" -- one that encourages the greatest degree of independence for each child's abilities and promotes a self-help method of learning. The community children who attend this preschool program are looked upon as peer models who encourage appropriate communication, social/play skills, self-help skills, etc.

Our inclusive preschool classrooms:

· recognize that all children learn at different rates

· provide age-appropriate classroom settings to challenge all children and frustrate none

· highlight strengths of learners without focusing on weaknesses

· provide accommodations as necessary to enhance learning

· encourage social interactions during and after school with non-handicapped peers

· provide opportunity for family participation within the classroom

The SKIP program is designed to provide children with the experiences, opportunities, and readiness skills that will allow them to eventually succeed in kindergarten. While recognizing challenges and working to enhance the development of the whole child, the primary emphasis is on self-management, social-emotional and academic-readiness skills. Family involvement is encouraged throughout the preschool years. This can include, but is not limited to, parent volunteers, parent-teacher conferences, home visits for special needs children, open houses, etc.