Early Childhood

The Early Childhood program offered by Lemont-Bromberek Combined School District 113A serves students who have been identified as having a disability. Students typically enter the Early Childhood program via Early Intervention Transition or Preschool Screening which identifies students who are in need of further assessment.

The Early Childhood program is delivered by staff members with different areas of expertise working together within the same setting. The program meets 5 days per week for 150 minutes per day (Both AM and PM Sessions are offered.). The District 113A Early Childhood Program is housed at Oakwood School, 1130 Kim Place, Lemont.

Preschool students with speech only needs are served in our walk-in speech program which meets at one of our district's schools, as arranged with parents.

Program Focus

To provide students 3 to 5 years of age who exhibit a variety of developmental delays:

An adapted developmental preschool curriculum
Programming to address communication, adaptive behavior, and motor development

Program Design

Average class size: 10
Staff/student ratio: 3:10
Half-day program (Monday-Friday during the 113A Academic Year.)
AM: 8:45-11:25
PM: 12:45-3:25

Program Staff Include:

Early Childhood/Special Education Teachers
Paraprofessionals

The following related service providers are available as needed:

Psychologist
Vision Impaired Itinerant
Occupational Therapist
Social Worker
Hearing Impaired Itinerant
Speech Language Therapist
Behavior Intervention Specialist
Physical Therapist

Curricular Emphasis

Language-rich developmentally appropriate preschool curriculum delivered via a multi-sensory, theme-based approach
Speech and language development incorporating the use of words, sign language, picture-based augmentative communication systems and adapted computer programs
Emphasis included the development of cognitive, communication, daily living, fine and gross motor and social-emotional skills
Fine and gross motor activities provided by an Occupational Therapist within the classroom
Intensive behavioral support and intervention, as needed

Unique Characteristics

Small group instruction
Related services are provided through an integrated therapy approach to support educational goals within the classroom
Instructs students on the basis of annual goals and short-term objectives which are linked to the Illinois State Learning Standards
Newsletters sent home weekly for parents to reinforce school activities at home
Strong language based curriculum delivered via a multi-sensory theme based approach
Positive learning environment, creative planning, and exciting instruction delivered daily

Learning Friends Preschool

The Learning Friends Preschool offers blended Early Childhood programming to the district. Housed at Oakwood School, it blends children with disabilities and their typical peers, in a 5 day per week, half-day program, morning or afternoon. Several evening parent/child activities are offered throughout the year to complement the learning and solidify the home-child-school connection.

Learning Friends follows the Creative Curriculum for Preschool, which focuses on project-based investigations as a means for children to apply skills while addressing four areas of development: social/emotional, physical, cognitive, and language. It is designed to foster the development of the whole child through teacher-led, small and large group activities. Opportunities exist for self-selected activities which center around 10 main interest areas (blocks, dramatic play, toys and games, art, library, discovery, sand and water, music and movement, computers, and outdoors). In addition, students participate in daily gross motor time, and weekly library and music classes. The Illinois Early Learning and Developmental Standards provide the framework for instruction.

Registration is ongoing. All potential registrants will attend our early childhood screening. If you’re interested in learning more about this program, please contact the Early Childhood Program Assistant, at 630-257-2286 extension 1104 for details.

The following will inform you about the structures that govern early childhood education:

Have Questions?

Please first see our Learning Friends FAQ for a list of frequently asked questions. You may find an answer to your question there.

If you still need more information please contact:

Ryan Talaga - Principal, Oakwood School, (630) 257-2286 ext. 1101
Kim Luther - Assistant Principal, Oakwood School, (630) 257-2286 ext. 1103

Program Time and Place

Morning Session 8:45 - 11:25 A.M.

Afternoon Session 12:45 - 3:25 P.M.

Oakwood School
1130 Kim Place
Lemont, Illinois 60439