Peer Program

Frequently Asked Questions about the Peer Program

Please read through all of the information about the peer program.  The peer application is located below.

 1.  What is the Peer Program?

School districts are required to provide early childhood experiences for students with disabilities beginning when they are age 3.  In an effort to create learning opportunities for these children that are compensatory with those offered in the community setting, Dublin City Schools extends opportunities for typically developing children to attend our preschool program. Peer models should be age 3.5 by July 1st of the calendar year.  Each classroom in the program serves a blend of 8 students with special needs and 8 students who are typically developing peers.  This model allows for enrichment for all children who participate in the program. Research has shown that these blended classrooms provide benefits for all children who participate. The district’s program follows the Ohio Department of Education’s licensing/operating standards and utilizes a curriculum that is aligned to Ohio’s Early Learning Development Standards. 

Requirements for the Peer Program are as follows:

• Must reside within Dublin City School District
• Child should be 3.5 years old by July 1st 
• Child speaks sentences in English in order to have a simple conversation
• Child uses clear speech so that the child is easily understood by others
• Child enjoys playing with other children:  interacts well with others, manipulates toys, and engages in age-appropriate activities without assistance
• Child follows simple directions, makes basic needs known, answers simple questions
• Child would be a good role model to others:  separates easily from a parent, models good behavior and social skills, attends to adult-guided activity, is willing to take turns
• Child must be toilet trained
• You must be able to provide your own transportation to and from as there is NO BUSSING PROVIDED for peers.  There are NO EXCEPTIONS.  

The days and times for classes are as follows:

4 days per week classes (reserved for 3.5 and early 4 year olds)

Monday - Thursday, AM Session 9:00-11:30 

5 days per week classes (reserved for peers who will be going to kindergarten the following year)

Monday - Friday, PM Session 1:00-3:30 

TUITION

The peer program is funded by the tuition of $140 per month for the morning class and $170 per month for the afternoon class. Tuition is due the 1st of each month. The monthly tuition is an average of the number of days in the school year divided by nine months. Short months, five-week months, holidays, and three snow days have been averaged. This means you will pay the same amount each month. You will be asked to pay the first and last month’s tuition prior to the start of school.
  
Accounts must be current on the first day of each month and must remain current. After the first day of each month, no child will be admitted to the preschool until the balance is paid.  If you desire to withdraw your child, please notify us in writing so we will not hold a place for your child and continue charging your account. Deductions will not be made for a child’s absence due to illness. There also will be no deductions for family vacations; we have vacation times already in our school schedule. 

2. What are the steps to secure a space in the preschool for my child?

Applications are accepted on our web site beginning December 1st at 5 am for the next school year. Please complete and submit the online application.

We will email an online screening tool in mid January. Once the screeners have been reviewed we will contact you via email with placement information.

When all seats are filled, we will maintain a waitlist and contact the next person on the list when an opening occurs. District-wide we have space for 168 peers, 72 in the age 3 to 4 classes and 96 in the age 4 to 5 classes.

3. If I am on the waitlist, what are the chances that my child will be offered a spot?

Although some families on the waitlist may be offered a spot, due to the popularity of the program it is not likely that everyone on the waitlist will get in.  In that eventuality, you may want to have an alternative plan for your child.

4. What number is my child on the waitlist?

We cannot assign specific numbers to anyone on the waitlist because there are too many factors involved (the date the application was received, building preferences, the age of each child, etc.). The information is downloaded from the application forms into a complex spreadsheet that takes considerable analysis whenever we have a new opening to fill. 

5. When should I expect to hear from you about my child clearing the waitlist?

Spaces can become available throughout the school year, as children move away. We usually do not know in advance when someone will relinquish a spot, but if space does become available for your child, you will be contacted immediately, and if necessary, an observation will be scheduled. Your child’s name will remain on the waitlist unless you request it to be removed.