SUN Kids Preschool Information
At PVSchools SUN Kids Preschool, we provide a safe, engaging, and stimulating environment for preschoolers to grow and develop. Our highly qualified team of professionals works together to ensure a smooth transition to kindergarten, and we believe that collaboration is key to student success. We are committed to creating a positive and inclusive environment for all children and families.
* SUN Kids Preschool does not accept Open Enrollment applicants.
The Preschool Evaluation Team completes screenings and evaluations for children ages 2.9 - 5 years who are not kindergarten-eligible to determine possible eligibility for special education services. The PET members include a school psychologist, speech/language pathologist, occupational therapist and physical therapist. A developmental screening is scheduled when a parent calls the preschool evaluation center and indicates a concern in one or more developmental areas.
The areas included in the screening include vision and hearing as well as five developmental areas:
•Cognitive
• Communication
• Motor
• Adaptive
• Social-emotional
A child who passes each of these developmental areas may be eligible to attend the SUN Kids preschool program as a peer pal. If a child fails one or more of these developmental areas, the PET will recommend a more in-depth evaluation to be completed at a later date. This evaluation is a comprehensive developmental assessment and will include at least two PET members. The purpose of this evaluation is to determine if a child is demonstrating significant developmental delays, which meet federal and state eligibility for special education services.
Sample SUN Kids Preschool Schedule
Circle Time
Circle time builds many skills including language acquisition and comprehension, social interactions, cooperation, pre-literacy skills, turn-taking, an introduction to learning in a large group.
Clean-Up and Transition
Children work together to accomplish the task of cleaning up. They learn such skills as: cooperation, following directions, and responsibility.
Center Time
Children have the opportunity to choose which center they would like to begin their play and are free to move from one center to the next throughout this time. There are a variety of centers for the children such as: dramatic play, science, books/reading, art, sensory table, quiet, blocks, listening, writing, snack bar, and table toys. All of these areas provide opportunities to explore, manipulate, and develop fine motor, large motor, play, language and problem solving skills.
Outdoor Play
Children have the opportunity to practice gross motor skills and coordination by climbing, swinging, playing in the sand, riding bikes, playing with water and other outdoor activities. This is another opportunity to develop social and language skills as well.
Closing Circle
Closing circle provides a quiet time to recall the day's activities and read a book before departure. Books are carefully selected to be engaging and appropriate for young children. Most stories involve repeated lines and predictable patterns to enhance language development in a natural setting. Pre-literacy activities are an integral part of the entire preschool day.
Peer Pals
Our program provides a developmentally appropriate setting for children who have been identified with exceptional needs AND for children who are developing typically. We encourage and actively seek the participation of typically developing children in our Preschool Program. Research shows that peer children who participate in a program alongside children with developmental delays will grow to become more independent and more empathetic adults. Our students grow together as they develop language, social, cognitive and physical skills. This setting has proven to be a successful experience for all children.
Typically developing 3-5-year-old children are screened and chosen for placement as a Peer Pal based on their ability to be strong language and social models.
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Where: Elementary locations throughout the Paradise Valley School district
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Hours: Morning and afternoon classes, Monday through Thursday, 2.5 hours per day
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Cost: No registration fee. $130 per month
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Staff: One certified teacher and one-two assistants instruct 12-18 children