Skip To Main Content

Integrated Preschool Program

The Dedham Public Schools operates an integrated preschool program at the Curran Early Childhood Education Center. The program is designed to meet the needs of children between the ages of three and five who may exhibit delays in one or more areas of development. The integrated preschool classroom model includes enrollment opportunities for students who do not require special education support, creating the opportunity for our students with special needs to learn alongside age-like peers.

The integrated preschool has a limited number of tuition-based preschool spaces available each school year. Families with preschool aged children (3+ by September 1st) who are fully toilet-trained and display developmentally appropriate speech/language, social, and play skills may apply for a space in the ECEC preschool program.

We believe that every child deserves the best start in their educational journey, and we can’t wait to share how our program fosters growth and development in a supportive setting.

Integrated Preschool Program Overview

The main function of  Integrated Preschool Program at the ECEC is to provide special education programming, and/or related services, to students identified with a disability, per their Individualized Education Program (IEP).    The program is enhanced by adding peers from our community to participate in the curriculum together with students identified with disabilities and receiving support services.   Peer models and children with disabilities playing and learning together in the same classroom completes the integrated program.  

  • 6 integrated preschool classrooms
  • Classroom teachers are dually certified/licensed through DESE (special educators/general educators)
  • Educational Support Professional (ESP)
  • Related Service providers (speech/language, occupational & physical therapist, school psychologist

Peer models are children from our community who demonstrate strong communication, social emotional, and early readiness skills.

Benefits of Integrated Preschool for Peer Model Students

  • Peer models help foster a collaborative, supportive environment where all children learn from one another.
  • Peer interactions encourage the development of social skills like communication, turn-taking, and empathy.
  • Peer models gain a deeper understanding of diversity and develop more compassionate attitudes toward others, which are valuable life skills.
  • The peer model’s role extends beyond helping children with disabilities; they also gain insight into diverse ways of thinking and problem-solving from their classmates with varying abilities
     

 

Benefits of Integrated Preschool for Students with Disabilities & IEPs

  • Opportunities for related service provision (speech therapists, occupational therapists, physical therapist, or special education teachers) both in and out of the classroom setting, 
  • Immersion in the same curriculum as their peers, along with inclusive teaching strategies that benefit all children, including modifications to the curriculum, individualized support, and differentiated instruction.
  • Fostering of peer interactions, allowing children with disabilities to model social skills from typically developing peers, and vice versa. This promotes inclusivity and helps break down stigmas about disabilities.
  • Hands on opportunities for practice and generalization of newly presented skills.

Learn More About Preschool Special Education Programs & Services

 

Register for The Integrated Preschool Program

Dedham Public Schools has a multi-step registration process for students interested in joining the program as a Peer Model.  This process helps ensure the best possible classroom experience for all our preschool learners. 

If you believe your child may qualify for special education preschool programming, please see our Child Find information listed below or reach out to our Student Services team.

Preschool Program Webinar

Dedham ECEC hosted an informational webinar in November 2024 to share information on the Integrated Preschool Program.

First page of the PDF file: 2024ChildFindFlyer

Integrated Preschool Program Contact

Dianna Parr

ECEC Educational Team Leader, Early Childhood Program Coordinator