How do you find special preschool programs?

I'm in an in-between situation here. Riley goes to OT once a week for sensory seeking issues and fine motor. This is all on my bill- EI rejected services. Her OT suggested going to a developmental ped, which we are doing in mid-February. She thinks Riley belongs in a special program with people trained to work with kids with attention issues.

But I am googling preschools in my area (I live in NJ) and it's so hard to know who has what. Do you just call a school district up and ask? I'd rather Riley go to the school district I teach in than the one we live in...but who knows how that will go.

Any ideas? I'm feeling pressure- seems like all the preschool open houses are going on and I have no idea where she'll be. I also need a preschool that has full time care. She already has that at the Learning Experience, but I don't think they have anyone trained in special needs.

Thanks!!

Re: How do you find special preschool programs?

she's 3 yes?

i went to school in NJ and i still speak to some, i will email them and find out what the process is.. not sure if they can help because their children are spectrum kids who got services at 2.

but it doesn't hurt to ask...

Re: How do you find special preschool programs?

In general, in order to receive preschool special education services, your daughter will need to be evaluated by the Committee on Preschool Special Education (CPSE - I think it's the same terminology in NJ) to see if she qualifies. You would contact your school district to start the process. When I did a school psych internship in NJ, we evaluated children for preschool special education and then either placed them in an appropriate district program, if there was one, or an out-of-district placement, if none was available. Often, children continued to be educated in their regular education preschool settings, and the district provided push-in services for things like OT, speech, special education (SEIT), etc.

Re: How do you find special preschool programs?

Thanks so much, I think Riley's OT called it a disabled program. I definitely see her in a typical preschool with services for her, but no idea how that works here. She is doing so well in her pre-preschool class as far as behavior but my guess is she does a lot of wandering and doesn't stick with things.

I just feel behind on this right now! Thanks so much to both of you

Re: How do you find special preschool programs?

where in NJ are you.. that was my friends response... i am guessing its different... i remember talking to her early on when AJ was entering EI and the process was very different..

FM me if you don't want to publicize it on here...