Anonymous
10/07/2025 21:43
Subject: Re:Where to find a private pre-k classroom aide? Hourly Rate?
I’m this PP. if the preschool wouldn’t allow a public school special education teacher to push in as part of an IEP, that’d make me question whether it was the right environment for my child. Ours has been so supportive of learning about apraxia and supporting services.
If you get an IEP, the public school may also offer part time special education preschool and they’d provide bus transport to/from their preschool services/your private preschool/your house as needed if they’re all located in the same school division. I know of families that have their child attend morning special education preschool and then the school district buses the child to the private preschool for the afternoon where they do their normal day etc. maybe that would satisfy the private preschool if they want to ensure your child is receiving extra development support.
We have my child in speech therapy three times per week, with twice a week provided by the school district SLP under the IEP with bussing then we add a private provider session. We’ve had public school provided SLP since age 2.
Best of luck in any course that you take.
If you get an IEP, the public school may also offer part time special education preschool and they’d provide bus transport to/from their preschool services/your private preschool/your house as needed if they’re all located in the same school division. I know of families that have their child attend morning special education preschool and then the school district buses the child to the private preschool for the afternoon where they do their normal day etc. maybe that would satisfy the private preschool if they want to ensure your child is receiving extra development support.
We have my child in speech therapy three times per week, with twice a week provided by the school district SLP under the IEP with bussing then we add a private provider session. We’ve had public school provided SLP since age 2.
Best of luck in any course that you take.
Anonymous
10/07/2025 21:27
Subject: Where to find a private pre-k classroom aide? Hourly Rate?
She’s in private. She may still qualify for IEP services, but the private school doesn’t have to allow those providers in. Not to mention the school has requested a 1:1. The current SLP who is pushing in isn’t sufficient.Anonymous wrote:Does your child have an IEP? What does your case manager say about her social emotional skills?
I have a 4yr old who only has a diagnosis of childhood apraxia of speech. DC has a speech only IEP as speech sound intelligibility is the only concern with no greater expressive language concern and attends a private preschool. However, if we had any other concerns the IEP team would discuss and add services, which can include a special education preschool teacher pushing in at the private preschool to help with things you’re looking for. That’s their job and professional training. If the IEP team determined theirs no needs related to social emotional skills then you should get a new preschool as their expectations aren’t aligned with child development. If you don’t have one already, Start the IEP process to get it set up before kindergarten in any case.
Anonymous
10/07/2025 20:56
Subject: Where to find a private pre-k classroom aide? Hourly Rate?
Does your child have an IEP? What does your case manager say about her social emotional skills?
I have a 4yr old who only has a diagnosis of childhood apraxia of speech. DC has a speech only IEP as speech sound intelligibility is the only concern with no greater expressive language concern and attends a private preschool. However, if we had any other concerns the IEP team would discuss and add services, which can include a special education preschool teacher pushing in at the private preschool to help with things you’re looking for. That’s their job and professional training. If the IEP team determined theirs no needs related to social emotional skills then you should get a new preschool as their expectations aren’t aligned with child development. If you don’t have one already, Start the IEP process to get it set up before kindergarten in any case.
I have a 4yr old who only has a diagnosis of childhood apraxia of speech. DC has a speech only IEP as speech sound intelligibility is the only concern with no greater expressive language concern and attends a private preschool. However, if we had any other concerns the IEP team would discuss and add services, which can include a special education preschool teacher pushing in at the private preschool to help with things you’re looking for. That’s their job and professional training. If the IEP team determined theirs no needs related to social emotional skills then you should get a new preschool as their expectations aren’t aligned with child development. If you don’t have one already, Start the IEP process to get it set up before kindergarten in any case.
Anonymous
10/07/2025 14:31
Subject: Where to find a private pre-k classroom aide? Hourly Rate?
OP, you'll struggle to recruit anyone who's knowledgeable if you aren't up-front about your daughter's situation. I'm not saying you have to write all of this in the initial advertisement, but you don't want to come across as in denial or avoiding acknowledging a problem. And that's kind of how you're coming across now. Professionals don't want to work for someone who's like that. It's going to be awkward for them if you and the school are not on the same page about what's happening-- and it seems like that's the situation here.
If your evaluations have ruled out autism for now, if you don't have a good understanding of the reason for the delay in play skills, that's fine. You can tell your candidates that. But it *is* a real problem, and it's not because of being at a new school or because of language delay.
If your evaluations have ruled out autism for now, if you don't have a good understanding of the reason for the delay in play skills, that's fine. You can tell your candidates that. But it *is* a real problem, and it's not because of being at a new school or because of language delay.
Anonymous
10/07/2025 14:23
Subject: Where to find a private pre-k classroom aide? Hourly Rate?
Anonymous wrote:OP we were in your exact shoes. You seem to want to stress that she is not autistic. At 4 & 5 my dd was only diagnosed w/ Apraxia, but one of her drs at Georgetown said that often w/ girls that diagnosis becomes an autism one (in addition to the apraxia) down the road. My almost 8-year-old is due for her next evaluation, and I wouldn't be surprised if she now gets an ASD diagnosis as well.
We were in a similar boat for preschool. I think you are putting too much weight on her being new to school. That isn't why she's not taking play to the next level. Many kids join in the 4's, pre-k or even start at K and do not have those issues. For my daughter's year 3, we were able to pay a teacher from the school who only taught in the afternoons to come earlier and be her aide in the am. We paid $30/hr w/ a bonus each semester. After that we started her in intensive ABA but kept her in morning pre-k. We were able to use an ABA therapist from the ABA center, and insurance actually covered it. I didn't realize it is pretty common for ABA centers to also place their therapists in outside settings. If i were you, I'd get her into ABA somewhere and then use a therapist from there as her aide at the pre-k. That way her therapy would be consistent, and the therapist could observe what she needs the most help w/ at pre-k and then use the ABA hours at the center to work on that.
We also used an ABA therapist when our DD was in pre-K and it was a very positive experience for all, teachers, DD, and classmates.
But in other for ABA to be covered by insurance you need a ASD diagnosis.
In this case it appears to me that the OP is in denial about her child’s diagnosis. The school is trying to send her a message that her child has something more than just a speech delay. Thus, they can support her needs and are recommending one-on-one support all the time at school. Something that a kid with only just a speech delay doesn’t need.
And since they can’t say “ we think your child might be autistic” thy are giving the OP some hints by making an emphasis on imaginary play. Since poor pretend play skills is something well known to be a red flag for Autism.
Anonymous
10/07/2025 11:22
Subject: Where to find a private pre-k classroom aide? Hourly Rate?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Not knowing how to pretend play or play with peers sounds pretty autistic to me.
She’s not. She knows how to play. It’s taking it to the next level. For example she will play with barns and animals but we’re looking for someone to expand on that - the animals are going into a spaceship and have a dance party on the moon.
Does she have any diagnosis related to this, other than the expressive language diagnosis?
You don't want your post to read like you're in denial or hiding something. Expressive language delay does not cause lack of next-level play skills. It's ok if you don't have a firm diagnosis yet, but to me reading this post, it feels like there's a gap in your description of your daughter.
Thanks. I will update the job description accordingly. And yes, we do have an official diagnosis.
Why did you leave out the diagnosis that goes specifically to the thing you want the aide to address? Isn't that like, kind of the point of the ad?
Because her diagnosis isn’t relevant. She’s neurotypical except for expressive speech delay. It’s called apraxia and people can’t wrap their head around a smart kind funny child who doesn’t have expressive speech. Her school is concerned that she doest’t take her play to the next level. I’m not.
If you are not worried about it then don't hire someone to help her with it. DS school thought he was behind verbally and in motor skills. We were not worried because he was talking at home and ahead in motor skills at home. He wasn't comfortable in his regular class to talk a ton or move a ton. We would get worried messages from his teachers, then at the middle of the years we would get these messages about how much he has improved, and how great he is doing. Every year for 4 years. He was the kid that needed time to get comfortable before fully engaging. It was the same story through second grade.
Your child has a speech issue, that you are addressing. You can choose not to be worried about how she plays. Has the school told you why this is something that they are fixated on? I would ask why that is something that is important enough that they keep mentioning it. Then discuss those concerns with your childs doctor and make a decision based on that conversation.
Anonymous
10/07/2025 09:37
Subject: Where to find a private pre-k classroom aide? Hourly Rate?
OP we were in your exact shoes. You seem to want to stress that she is not autistic. At 4 & 5 my dd was only diagnosed w/ Apraxia, but one of her drs at Georgetown said that often w/ girls that diagnosis becomes an autism one (in addition to the apraxia) down the road. My almost 8-year-old is due for her next evaluation, and I wouldn't be surprised if she now gets an ASD diagnosis as well.
We were in a similar boat for preschool. I think you are putting too much weight on her being new to school. That isn't why she's not taking play to the next level. Many kids join in the 4's, pre-k or even start at K and do not have those issues. For my daughter's year 3, we were able to pay a teacher from the school who only taught in the afternoons to come earlier and be her aide in the am. We paid $30/hr w/ a bonus each semester. After that we started her in intensive ABA but kept her in morning pre-k. We were able to use an ABA therapist from the ABA center, and insurance actually covered it. I didn't realize it is pretty common for ABA centers to also place their therapists in outside settings. If i were you, I'd get her into ABA somewhere and then use a therapist from there as her aide at the pre-k. That way her therapy would be consistent, and the therapist could observe what she needs the most help w/ at pre-k and then use the ABA hours at the center to work on that.
We were in a similar boat for preschool. I think you are putting too much weight on her being new to school. That isn't why she's not taking play to the next level. Many kids join in the 4's, pre-k or even start at K and do not have those issues. For my daughter's year 3, we were able to pay a teacher from the school who only taught in the afternoons to come earlier and be her aide in the am. We paid $30/hr w/ a bonus each semester. After that we started her in intensive ABA but kept her in morning pre-k. We were able to use an ABA therapist from the ABA center, and insurance actually covered it. I didn't realize it is pretty common for ABA centers to also place their therapists in outside settings. If i were you, I'd get her into ABA somewhere and then use a therapist from there as her aide at the pre-k. That way her therapy would be consistent, and the therapist could observe what she needs the most help w/ at pre-k and then use the ABA hours at the center to work on that.
Anonymous
10/07/2025 09:27
Subject: Where to find a private pre-k classroom aide? Hourly Rate?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Can you get an IEP? My son (also doesn't have ADHD or autism but had some motor, speech/language, and mild cognitive delays (avg IQ these days at 6)) had an IEP for OT, speech, and sped in preschool. He went to private Montessori preschool but the sped teacher, OT, and speech therapist came itinerantly and they all worked on play skills as part of his IEP.
We have two speech therapists and an OT but the school is ADAMANT that she has an aide to be one on one.
You need ABA.
Anonymous
10/07/2025 09:00
Subject: Where to find a private pre-k classroom aide? Hourly Rate?
Anonymous wrote:Looking for advice on the best way to find a private pre-k classroom aide. Any insight on how best to reach a prospective audience would be so appreciated. Also, what is a good hourly rate to pay an aide who will work 9-12 (schedule adhere to school calendar)?
Really appreciate any advice.
-----a snippet of the job description but the main responsibility------
We are seeking a reliable private classroom aide for our 4 year old daughter with a significant expressive speech delay. She has no behavioral or emotional issues and is not autistic.
Due to her speech delay, we had previously kept her out of school to focus on intensive speech therapy. She has just started pre-k but does not know how to independently play pretend or play with peers. We are looking for an energetic, experienced caregiver who is able to model and narrate play to expand our daughter’s play experience. This person will take daughter’s play to the next level with creativity and enthusiasm to keep her engaged in a preschool environment (both classroom and playground). Additionally, the aide will integrate her play into the wider class and into peer cooperative play.
I don't see the need to say she is not autistic. "We are seeking a reliable private classroom aide for our 4 yo DD with a significant expressive speech delay (apraxia)." Then say how it impacts her and the support she needs in school.
Anonymous
10/07/2025 08:36
Subject: Where to find a private pre-k classroom aide? Hourly Rate?
PP here and I’m wondering if it’s our former preschool, and if so my advice changes to GET HER OUT NOW. This is a first step to counseling out but generally making your child miserable enough they want to leave.
Is it located in Potomac?
Is it located in Potomac?
Anonymous
10/07/2025 05:53
Subject: Where to find a private pre-k classroom aide? Hourly Rate?
It sounds like you should pursue a neuropsychological evaluation and a developmental pediatrician.