Welcome...

...to the Addison Northwest Supervisory Union Early Childhood Education Program. Our program provides both Essential Early Education Services and Early Compensatory Education Services to 3 and 4 year old children in the towns of Addison, Ferrisburgh, Panton, Waltham, and Vergennes. Our center- based program is licensed by the State of Vermont and has reached a 5- STAR rating through the Division of Children and Families. We are located at the Vergennes Union Elementary School.

Each spring we offer Child Find developmental screenings for children in our area. The information gathered determines our case- load for the upcoming school year. Our children are grouped heterogeneously; each group consisting of children with a variety of special needs and differing levels of development, children considered “at risk”, and those children not enrolled in a preschool program prior to Kindergarten that may be “typically” developing. Our total numbers range between 28 and 36. We operate 3 separate classes; one three- year old class and two four- year old classes. Our on- site staff consists of a Speech and Language Pathologist, two Special Education Classroom Assistants, and an Early Childhood Educator/ Special Educator. All are licensed and certified.

Once enrolled, children have access to many services as determined by educational teams. We work closely with the Counseling Service of Addison County through School- Based Clinician services and Intensive School Support services, the Vermont Association of the Blind, Children's Integrated Services: Early Intervention and Mental Health, the Division of Children and Families, Headstart, Children with Special Health Needs, Occupational and Physical Therapists, our local Homeless Shelter, and our receiving Elementary Schools.

Curriculum is guided by the Vermont Early Learning Standards (VELS) and instruction is a blend of child- directed and teacher- directed opportunities and
activities. All interactions include adult facilitation for the acquisition of positive and effective social skills, creativity, and communication skills. These are the building blocks for readiness to learn.