Frequently Asked Questions
1. What do I do if I am concerned with my child's development?
Many parents have concerns and questions about their child’s development. It is important that you discuss your concerns with your child’s pediatrician. Questions and concerns can also be addressed by contacting your local school district if your child is above age 3 and request to speak with an early childhood special educator.
Erin Gagne, Director of Early Education for the Champlain Valley School District, egagne@cvsdvt.org 802-985-1936
If your child is under age 3, you can contact Children’s Integrated Serviceshttps://dcf.vermont.gov/services/cis or call 211
If you would like information about what skills your child should be achieving, you can got to the Center for Disease Control website to review the developmental milestone checklists.
2. What supports are available to my child?
Children ages birth–3 may be eligible to receive early intervention services and family support through Children's Integrated Services (CIS)
Children ages 3-5 may be eligible to receive support from their school district’s Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) team. Students are entitled for special education services after they have been determined eligible under state regulations. These regulations can be found at the Vermont Department of Education Special Education Regulations (see page 74). Once they are determined to be eligible for services, an Individualized Education Program (IEP) will be developed which outlines goals, objectives, and services. For more, go to: information on IEP’s
3. Is there a fee for early intervention or special education services?
An individualized education program (IEP) is designed for students, ages 3-21, eligible for special education to provide a free and appropriate public education without charge to the parent or student.
There is no cost to the family for receiving Early Intervention Services (birth-3). With the family’s permission, insurance and Medicaid can be billed for services to ensure that CIS-EI Programs are sustainable.
4. How can my child get into the school-based classroom if they do not need early intervention services?
If you are interested in having your child attend the school-based classroom as a peer, you are invited to fill out a peer lottery application. The peer lottery drawing typically occurs early February for the upcoming school year.
5. What is Universal Pre-K?
Universal Pre-K is also known as Act 166 and Publicly Funded Preschool. The law was passed by the Vermont Legislature in 2014 and as a result, school districts will provide publicly funded Pre-K education for children ages three, four, and five years old, who are not attending kindergarten. The educational experiences will be provided by establishing partnerships with community-based early care and education programs, by operating a school-based Pre-K program, or by doing both.
Universal Pre-K in CVSD is defined as:
10 hours per week (for 35 weeks) of developmentally appropriate early learning experiences that are based on the Vermont Early Learning Standards.
Eligible to children who reside in Charlotte, Hinesburg, Shelburne, St. George, and Williston. Pre-kindergarten education is limited to the academic school year.
6. Is the 10 hour per week program completely free?
Yes. Public education funding will support 10 hours of pre-kindergarten per week (35 weeks per year, September-June). Your child must attend a program for at least 10 hours per week in order to receive funding for tuition. The program you attend may NOT charge you for the 10 hours, 35 weeks of prekindergarten that is paid for by your school district.
7. What is an Early Learning Partner?
An Early Learning Partner is a program that is pre-qualified through the state to provide high-quality early education experiences. These programs have met the state criteria in order to partner with school districts. This includes having a licensed preschool teacher or consultant. Programs must either be accredited through the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), or hold at least 4 stars with two points in each arena of Vermont’s Step Ahead Recognition System (STARS). Programs that do not meet these standards but have at least 3 Stars may provide prekindergarten education if they have an approved 2-year plan to meet the required program quality standards
8. I need more care than 10 hours a week; what are my options?
Many early learning partner programs offer extended day options for a fee. Fees and availability vary from program to program. Contact your preferred program directly for more details. Financial assistance may be available through Child Care Resource and Referral.
9. Where can I find a pre-qualified Early Learning Partner Program?
The Vermont Agency of Education has a list of participating providers (preschools).
10. Where can I find the school-based preschool program information including the lottery applications? CVSD School Based Preschool Options