Early Childhood Education
At Blaine Primary School we are dedicated to fostering the growth and education of the youngest members of the Blaine Community. We understand the significance of the developmental phase that spans from birth to age five, and we are committed to assisting families in nurturing their children's growth during these crucial years. We offer a variety of resources designed to support both you and your child as they develop and grow in these early years. We invite you to explore this page further to discover the range of early childhood programs that are available to you at Blaine Primary School.
EARLY LEARNING CHILD FIND SCREENING
Identifying and Supporting Young Learners
We’re here to help families identify and support children ages 3-5 who may benefit from special education services. Our free Child Find screenings are available throughout the school year and take about one hour to complete. These screenings evaluate key areas of development, including:
Speech and language
Social-emotional skills
Self-help abilities
Motor skills
Learning concepts
After the screening, families will receive feedback about their child’s developmental progress. Possible outcomes may include:
No concerns identified: No further action needed.
Recommendations for additional monitoring or resources to support development.
Referrals for a more in-depth evaluation to determine eligibility for special education services.
If you would like to request a screening please follow these steps:
Please follow this link to fill out an intake form.
Please share more about your concerns by completing an ASQ-3 screening form .
Once you have completed steps 1 and 2, please schedule a screening appointment.
We encourage families to share any developmental or medical information they’d like the screening team to consider. If you have any questions, please feel free to email preschool@blainesd.org.
Together, we can ensure every child has the tools they need to thrive!
TRANSITION TO KINDERGARTEN (TK)
Transition to Kindergarten (TK) is a free, early entrance kindergarten experience for children who are scheduled to enter kindergarten the following year.
To be eligible, children
must turn four by Aug. 31
demonstrate academic, language, or social need
cannot be currently enrolled in another early learning program.
Classes run from September to June and follow the regular school district calendar for school days, early dismissals and holidays. TK is play-based and uses hands-on learning experiences to prepare students for kindergarten both academically and socially-emotionally. A TK student's daily schedule will reflect a typical kindergarten schedule with flexibility to accommodate the age, development and stamina of the students. Classes are taught by highly qualified teachers and teacher assistants. Students will learn the routines of kindergarten, colors, shapes, alphabet, and numbers, sharing and following directions in a school setting. Most importantly, students have fun and find joy in learning!
Space is limited. To apply for TK, please fill out the application below. If you prefer a paper application, they can be picked up at the front office of Blaine Primary School.
SPECIAL EDUCATION PRESCHOOL
Our Special Education Preschool is designed for children with disabilities, ages 3-4, who meet criteria for an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Children are identified for services through evaluations resulting from the Child Find screening process or referrals from their Family Resource Coordinator in the Early Support for Infants and Toddlers (ESIT) program.
Our preschool provides a rich, activity-based learning environment tailored to the individual needs of each enrolled child. Through large and small group activities, learning centers, and child-directed play, students build skills across all developmental domains. Our goal is to nurture the unique strengths and capabilities of every child.
If you have any questions, please feel free to email preschool@blainesd.org.
