inclusive preschool program for almost 4 yr old in VA?

[Anonymous]

Congratulations to me, just found out that I'm pregnant and baby due in Fall. older DC has SN, speech delay and sensory intregration issues. he is currently in two preschools, he attends a county special education class (3 time s per week) and a regular preschool twice. we saw his develop ped this week and he was amazed of the progress, made my week, very proud of him, but at the same time, Drs recomendation was more interaction with reg dev children. at his age, is hard to find a reg preschool that will accomodate his schedule (has ST, OT and floortime in the afternoons) and after volunteering a couple of times in his special ed class, I have mixed feelings about it. the teachers and the setting are incredible, but DC learns by observing and imitating, the other 5 kids in his class are almost non verbal and there is no much to imitate there, his reg preschool is full of chatter boxes and overall my heart is telling me that he should hang out with them more, although he receives the best ed at the county school.

here is the thing, with a new born in fall I much rather have one place to take him only, we live in EFC and I know that some folks recommend a school in Mclean, just not sure of how traffic would be since a lot of people take the back roads to avoid 66 and 495. anyone knows of an inclusive reg preschool in Arlington? planning on keeping private ST OT and floortime (is costing an arm and a leg, but this kiddo learns like crazy on a 1:1) so any info would be appreciated.

Thanks,

[Anonymous]

Trinity MOPS preschool in Alexandria has and inclusive classroom in the afternoons Mon-Thurs.

http://www.trinityalexandria.org/templates/System/details.asp?id=29114&PID=200909

[Anonymous]

If you are talking about Dolley madison in McLean its not hard to get to from the east falls church metro areA. Just take great falls to dolley Madison blvd and go up that to the school. Could also take lee highway to old dominion to dolley Madison. 66 is a possibility that time of day as well. They do have students from Arlington there.

[Anonymous]

Maybe we're looking at different preschools but as long as you're paying full tuition, for a child that age, I don't know any that won't accomodate his schedule. Have you thought about in-home family daycare or center based care near his special ed preschool? The school bus will pickup/drop off there if you want. Since you're looking mostly for social interactions, they may be a more affordable alternative and many of them also have excellent educational opportunities for small kids. If you have a report from your doctor about the need for more interaction with regular kids, you might consider asking for a different special ed placement and one that he could attend 5 days/week. Don't totally rule that out. You really do have a lot of avenues to pursue.

I totally understand the challenges you'll have with a newborn and an older child with special needs. It's good to be thinkking about these things now. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Im not in that area but I had a kid who was going to do that. However he needed the language first so mom reallly struggled w/ decision. I think 2 schools would be too much but that special ed class is important. I think a home daycare w/ special needs exp is the way to go for a more laxed social enviroment in conj w/ regular class. congrats on new baby

[Anonymous]

just wanted to echo that you wouldn't have that bad a trip to Dolley Madison - mostly not too trafficky side streets -

there are other good preschools in the vicinity, but I don't know about inclusiveness

[Anonymous]

op here, thanks much for your ideas, and will check out the route on a weekday to see how it goes, we moved about 7 months back and fear traffic around this area in the mornings...

[Anonymous]

Probaby not much use to you because of your location but our kids go to Resurrection Children's Center in Alexandria (near the Seminary Road exit of 395). We have been very pleased. It is a co-op, is fully inclusive, and has a ST and OT once a week.