The Louisville City School District’s Integrated Preschool Program has been welcoming preschool children, ages three through five, with and without disabilities for over 20 years! 

FAQs

What is an integrated preschool?                                           
The Louisville City School District’s Integrated Preschool Program serves preschool children, ages three through five, with and without disabilities. The program has always been dedicated to meeting the needs of all children through a developmentally appropriate approach. Our teachers think first about what each individual child needs and then create an environment and experiences to meet those needs. Early Childhood research indicates that young children learn best when the activities are hands-on experiences that are meaningful to the child. 

What makes the program an integrated setting and how would my child benefit from attending?
An integrated preschool setting is one in which children with disabilities are integrated or included in a classroom with typically developing children. Children with disabilities participate in all activities within the class and modifications are made as needed. Preschools, playgroups and daycare centers are the earliest and best places to start the inclusionary process.

In the integrated preschool setting, our teachers differentiate (customize) the instruction to allow all children access to the curriculum. The modifications may be as simple as posting pictures to visualize the routine, stating expectations to an unfamiliar event or using signals to indicate a transition in the routine. In an integrated setting, you may find a speech pathologist, occupational or physical therapist working in classrooms with small groups of children, building upon each child’s experiences.

​In our preschool, high value is placed on individuality and compassion. We believe the skills a child learns in these early stages of development provide the foundation for all other skills that will be learned throughout life. The Integrated Preschool Program helps children to develop an appreciation that everyone has unique and beautiful characteristics. Children develop a feeling of empowerment and the ability to make a difference. When children are part of an inclusive setting, everyone gains an understanding and appreciation of differences among people - a lesson of a lifetime.

How do I enroll my child in the Little Leopards Preschool program?

The preschool enrollment process starts with the parent/guardian calling 330-875-7602.  The parent/guardian should be prepared to provide information about their child such as:  full name, date of birth, address, parent/guardian phone number, and any developmental concerns there may be about the child. 

 A preschool screening is held in Spring and another one in August to determine if the children have reached their developmental milestones.  

• If milestones have been met then the child is considered typically developing and we would be able to share with the parent/guardian if there is an enrollment spot available for the child within our preschool program.

• If developmental milestones have not been met, the preschool staff would ask for permission to conduct an evaluation to determine if the child qualifies for special education services.  If the team, including the parent/guardian, determines that the student qualifies as a student with a disability, the student is entitled to special services.  Those services could be provided in the classroom setting or at the home/in a daycare setting.  

** If you are interested in a preschool spot for your child for the following year, it is highly recommended that you have your child attend the spring screening rather than the August screening as the spots fill up quickly.

Healthcheck Services for Children Younger than Age 21
The Louisville Integrated Preschool program is required to provide families with information regarding early intervention services, screenings, and programs. Although the LCSD does not perform the Healthchek, we are pleased to provide the following information.  Click to download information
 

New Preschool Resources
Preschool educators and family members now have a new resource with which to engage preschool children. Visit the INFOhio Early Learning Portal; an easy-to-navigate site that contains more than 50 websites and apps chosen and evaluated by educators and librarians with expertise in early learning and literacy.
 
Ohio’s new early childhood website - www.boldbeginning.ohio.gov. Earlychildhoodohio.org is still operational; the new website features additional information and resources for providers and families.