VISION:

• All children will have universal access to high quality education and care.

MISSION:

• Through leadership, policies, and strategic alliances, we develop a coordinated, comprehensive system of early childhood education and care in order to produce positive results for children birth through third grade and their families.

EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION:

• Serves income eligible 3 and 4 year old children and their families.
• Provides comprehensive child development services that address all developmental domains: cognitive, physical, social-emotional, language, aesthetic and self-help.
• Supports and collaborates with families through home visits, parent teacher conferences and parent education opportunities.
• Employs certified staff that holds a bachelor or masters degree in early childhood education.

REGGIO STUDY GROUP:

Hardin County Early Childhood Staff formed a study group to investigate the early childhood programs of Reggio Emilia, Italy, which is internationally acknowledged for
its innovative approach to early childhood education.

Study group participants are asked to make a commitment to attend monthly two hour study group sessions to explore, understand, reflect, and discuss this unique way of viewing and working with young children.

Many statewide opportunities around this initiative are available for study group members. Our study group has been inspired by visiting artists, national known speakers, and viewing "The Hundred Languages of Children" exhibit. The Hundred Languages of Children exhibit is a richly detailed series of 200 panels consisting of photographs, narratives of children's theories about the physical and social world and authentic examples of the work of the children, teachers and families of the municipal schools of Reggio Emilia, Italy. Nine curriculum themes showcase the extraordinary work of ordinary children. Ohio has developed an Ohio Teacher Exhibit, “Where Ideas Learn To Fly”. These exhibits will surprise you, inspire you and cause you to think differently about the potential of young children and the possibilities when quality early education and care is a priority.

For more information on Hardin County's Reggio Study Group, please contact Angela Butterman at (419) 674-2288 or buttermana@hardinesc.org

LITTLE RIVER PRESCHOOL
is located at ....

Upper Scioto Valley
Elementary School
510 Courtright Street
McGuffey, Ohio 45859
Phone (419) 757-3231
Ext. 1003

Stephanie Lowery
Preschool Intervention Specialist
lowerys@hardinesc.org

Sandy Hites
Educational Assistant

VICTORY GARDEN
PRESCHOOL
is located at ....

Ridgemont
Elementary School
330 West Taylor Street
Mt. Victory, Ohio 43340
Phone (937) 354-2141

Molly Burnell
Public School Preschool Teacher
burnellm@hardinesc.org

Amanda Banta
Preschool Intervention Specialist
bantaa@hardinesc.org

Tricia Smith
Educational Assistant

HARDIN COUNTY
EDUCATIONAL SERVICE
CENTER ITINERANT
SERVICE PROVIDERS
are located at ....

1211 West Lima Street
Suite A
Kenton, Ohio 43326
Phone (419) 674-2288

Stephanie Smith
Itinerant Preschool Intervention Specialist
smithsj@hardinesc.org

Lori Berger
Itinerant Preschool Intervention Specialist
bergerl@hardinesc.org

GUIDING PRINCIPLES:

We believe..

• The image of the child is one of potential, curiosity and interest in constructing their learning.
• Teachers are partners in children's learning. Teachers listen to children's ideas and provide occasions within the environment for discovery and learning.
• Children's explorations through project work provide opportunities for the development of higher level thinking skills as well as basic skills and new skills.
• The documentation of children's activities makes children aware that what they say and do is valued. Documentation traces the history of the classroom and provides opportunities for children, teachers and families to revisit children's work.
• Parents are valued and play an active role in their child's learning experience. Family involvement and communication is essential.
• Teachers are life long learners. The staff continues to grow through opportunities for collegial dialogue and study.

OUR LEARNING THEORY:

Through following the children's interests and recognizing their capabilities, we feel that early childhood educators must thoughtfully and purposefully interact with children and plan experiences that support emergent learning. We create environments that facilitate social interactions and value children's individual thoughts, ideas and differences. As teachers we act as co-learners in helping children bridge their personal experiences and construct their own knowledge. As we learn to "see" competence without testing, we have developed an understanding of how to use the Early Learning Content Standards as a tool. By utilizing the GST Process and back mapping with the standards we are able to extend children's current abilities and enhance their learning. Through hands-on and personal experiences we confirm our beliefs about how young children learn.

PRESCHOOL DISABILITIES SERVICES:

• Serves 3 4 and 5 year old children who are eligible for preschool disabilities services in an integrated classroom with typically developing peers.
• Are offered to children who have been identified through a Multifactored educational evaluation as having a documented deficit in one or more of the following areas: communication, vision, hearing, motor skills, social emotional/behavioral functioning, self-help skills and/or cognitive skills.
• Coordinates with related service personnel such as adaptive physical education teacher, nursing, psychologist, speech/language therapist, occupational and physical therapists based upon the needs of the child.
• Supports and collaborates with families through home visits, parent teacher conferences and parent education opportunities.
• Employs certified staff that holds a bachelor or masters degree in early childhood special education.

Districts are required to provide free and appropriate public education by providing a center-based delivery option.

ITINERANT SERVICES:

• Serves 3, 4 and 5 year old children who are eligible for preschool disabilities services.
• Are offered in the child's least restrictive environment, which may include public/private preschool, kindergarten, Head Start, day care or home settings.
• Are offered to children who have been identified through a Multifactored educational evaluation as having a documented deficit in one or more of the following areas: communication, vision, hearing, motor skills, social emotional/behavioral functioning, self-help skills and/or cognitive skills.
• Coordinates with related service personnel such as adaptive physical education teacher, nursing, psychologist, speech/language therapist, occupational and physical therapists based upon the needs of the child.
• Supports and collaborates with families through home visits, parent teacher conferences and parent education opportunities.
• Employs certified staff that holds a bachelor or masters degree in early childhood special education.

Districts are required to provide free and appropriate public education by providing an itinerant delivery option.