Free Preschool Screenings Offered for Joplin 3 and 4-Year Olds

During the months of May through August, free preschool developmental screenings are being offered for three and four-year olds living within the Joplin School District. The screening process offers parents valuable information regarding their child’s development and identifies children who qualify for the district’s free preschool programs.

Preschool screenings are conducted by professionally trained child development specialists at the Washington Education Center (1112 E. 2nd Street). Parents may schedule a screening by contacting Parents As Teachers at 417-625-5294 or 417-625-5290.

Preschool programs for the 2008-2009 school year will be located at several Joplin elementary schools – Eastmorland, Emerson, McKinley, Stapleton, and West Central. These programs will serve children who turn four years old prior to August 1, 2008 and receive qualifying scores on the screening given by Parents As Teachers.

All Joplin School District preschool programs are half-day programs and are free of charge. Morning sessions are held from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., and afternoon sessions are held from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. Transportation is provided for all preschool students.

Washington Education Center provides preschool services for three, four, and five-year old children with special needs who are not yet eligible for kindergarten. To qualify, children must display significant developmental delays in the areas of cognitive, physical, social/emotional or adaptive development, speech or language delay, or visual or hearing impairment.

posted 05/06/08