Early Childhood Special Education

Cartoon Penguin - Early Childhoo's mascot

 




Early intervention is critical for children who have developmental delays. The Shawnee Mission School District provides early childhood special education services for children ages 3, 4, and 5 who meet the eligibility requirements for special education. The school staff and parents work together to determine how to best meet a child's needs. 


 

We generally serve three groups of children in our classrooms, as detatiled below:

Children with Individualized Education Plans (IEPs)

  • Are eligible for Special Education Services
  • Typically demonstrates a need for intervention in more than one area of development
  • May be eligible to receive district-provided transportation (bussing)

 

Peers

  • Must be at least 3 years old
  • Must be eligible by age to attend kindergarten
  • Must demonstrate appropriate skills in all areas (speech/language, play, motor, social emotional, independence, etc)
  • Transportation not provided for peer students
  • Details and additional information Here

Children who are being evaluated to determine their eligibility for an IEP

  • May eventually have either an IEP or enroll as a peer
  • May be eligible for district-provided transportation

PROGRAM LOCATIONS

Shawnee Mission early childhood special education staff delivers services for children 3-5 years of age in 13 early childhood special education classrooms located at the Shawnee Mission Early Childhood Education Center and in 19 district elementary schools where there are early childhood programs.  Children 3 years to 5 years of age may also receive special education services in their neighborhood school, such as speech and language, occupational, or physical therapy.
 

PROGRAM ENROLLMENT

Select the appropriate option below.


We are new to Shawnee Mission and my child has an IEP.  Please click HERE
 


I would like to apply for my child to be a peer.  Please click HERE

 

If your child is 3 years of age to 5 years of age and you would like your child to participate in an 2025-26 Early Childhood Screening (ECS), please click HERE

If you have further questions, contact the Shawnee Mission Early Childhood Education Center at 913.993.2600.