Early Childhood Exceptional Education

Spaces Available in Partners Preschool!

Partners Preschool has spaces available for participants! See the program flier for more information.

Explorer/Partners Preschools

The Explorer/Partners Preschools are a full inclusion "blended" model where 50% of the children have identified special needs and 50% are 'typically developing peers." Explorer peers are enrolled by PACE. Partners peers are enrolled by Exceptional Education. This less restrictive model is for preschool children who are ready for a more typical learning environment with slightly larger class sizes and a longer attendance day.

Partners attend 3 hours a day, 4 days a week, not on Wednesday. Explorer students attend 4 hours a day, 4 days a week and 3 hours a day on Wednesday. The Explorers and Partners teaching staff do home visits with the children's families and give workshops for families to assist them in their roles as their child's first and most important teacher. Families participate in the classrooms and attend field trips.

Speech and language specialists, and occupational and physical therapists work in an integrated manner in the classrooms. Therapists and teachers plan together for follow-up and extension of activities in the classroom.

Licensing
TUSD's Explorer/Partners Preschool classes are licensed by the Arizona Department of Health Services.

Child Goals
Your child will participate in daily activities that include stories, writing, math, science, music, movement, block building, and dramatic play. The indoor and outdoor experiences that staff provide will promote your child's growth in all developmental areas: social/emotional, motor, language and speech, math, science, and the arts. Your child's teacher uses the Arizona Early Learning Standards in planning learning activities for the children.

Parent Participation
Parent participation is considered essential and takes many forms such as in-class volunteers, field trip organizers, discussions of educational issues, and talent sharing. Parents are considered an active part of their child's learning experience. Children enjoy seeing their parents as an important part of their school world.