Peer Program
Frequently Asked Questions about the Peer Program
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
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 6 am for the next school year. Please complete and submit the online application.
We will email an online screening tool in late January or early February. 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.