Unit 5 offers a fun and exciting Pre-Kindergarten program for qualifying students ages three to five. This program is available free of charge to eligible students living within District boundaries. Pre-K staff determines eligibility and student acceptance into the program. Placement is based on student need.
Purpose:The purpose of Unit 5's Early Learning program is to provide a stimulating and nurturing environment for young children. Students are given the chance to become successful and build self-confidence. This program is designed to increase student opportunities, help prepare for future achievements, and meet individual needs and goals in eight domains of learning.
- Language Arts
- Mathematics
- Science
- Social Studies
- Physical Development and Health
- Fine Arts
- Foreign/Primary Language
- Social/Emotional
These domains of learning are part of the Illinois Early Learning State Standards.
Who is Eligible?
Children must:
- Be between the ages of three and five years of age.
- Live within the McLean County Unit No. 5 school district
Children with developmental delays, which affect normal growth and development or who are at risk of academic failure may be eligible for services and supports. Eligibility will be based on the presence of noted delays in one or more of the developmental areas listed below. Eligibility is determined by the Individualized Educational Program (IEP) team. call our office for a developmental screening.
- The Developmental Areas
- Gross Motor
- Fine Motor
- Cognitive/Readiness
- Communication
- Receptive Language
- Expressive Language
- Phonological/Articulation
- Social/Emotional
- Independent Functioning/Adaptive
Attendance:Daily attendance by students is very important for academic and social growth. Student attendance is as follows:
Students attend Pre-K Monday through Friday during the school year.
Students attend either a morning session or an afternoon session.
There are five Early Learning sites in the district. Students are assigned a site depending on residency.
Bus transportation is offered to all children in the program.
What does your child need to start?- Copy of birth certificate
- Updated immunization records
- Physical Exam
- Completed registration packet
- Backpack and an extra set of clothes
Student Learning Goals:- Learn how to play and work with others.
- Acquire and use language for communicating thoughts and feelings.
- Learn to feel confident and good about themselves.
- Develop skills and knowledge needed for learning.
- Love school and learning.
Instructional Strategies:The Early Learning Program practices the The Creative Curriculum. The Creative Curriculum is an environmentally based, active learning curriculum in which children learn important skills and content and develop social competence. It shows teachers how to work with children at different developmental levels, how to adapt the environment to make it increasingly challenging, and how to involve parents in taking an active role in the program. The Creative Curriculum is also aligned with the Illinois Early Learning State Standards. Not only is every aspect of The Creative Curriculum based on sound developmental theory and evidence-based research, but numerous research studies have been conducted to validate its effectiveness.
The learning environment is the structure of the classroom that sets the context for teaching and learning. It establishes a classroom structure that includes the daily routine and schedule, choice times, a small- and large-group time. It also creates a classroom community that promotes positive relationships and where children make friends and learn social problem-solving skills.
A developmental approach is used to meet each child's individual needs. Many of the classroom learning activities include:
- Language Experiences
- Hands-on Science
- Basic Mathematic Activities
- Dramatic Play
- Music Activities
- Cooking Experiences
- Creative Art Activities
- Indoor/Outdoor Cooperative Play
- Field Trips
To learn more about The Creative Curriculum go to
http://www.teachingstrategies.com/page/preschool.cfm 
