Northwest Special Education District
Preschool Program
for Children with unique needs
Our Philosophy
The preschool program of the Northwest Special Education District offers services to three, four, and five year-old children within the Northwest Special Education Cooperative who have been identified as having developmental delays in the areas of speech and language, cognitive skills, gross motor, fine motor, perception and/or adaptive behavior. The program also serves preschool children with visual and hearing impairments as well as physical and health related problems which may interfere with their educational progress.

The Northwest Special Education District's preschool program cooperates with the home,community agencies, and other programs that serve preschool children in order to provide the best possible services for the child.

Because early identification and intervention can often alleviate or prevent more serious learning delays in the future, early identification is considered a primary goal of the program.
Why do we offer preschool services?
The early years of a child's life are marked by rapid growth. It is now known that much of the basic learning in a child's life occurs in the preschool years. Children develop at different rates and some preschool children are slower than others in developing the ability to express themselves, in listening and understanding others, in their motor coordination, and in their social development. The school districts in Illinois must offer programs for preschool children who have any type of developmental delay or unique need.
Who is eligible for service?
Any 3, 4, or 5 year old who resides in the Northwest Special Education District and who has developmental delays in speech and language, learning, social adjustment, emotional adjustment or who has problems with vision, hearing, or motor development.
What are the steps in obtaining services?
  1. Contact your local school district or the NW Special Education Office
  2. The local district will screen and evaluate each child individually.
  3. A staff conference will be held with the parents to discuss test results and determine if the child should be enrolled.
  4. Enrollment begins as soon as possible provided the parents agree.
Must I participate?
No, of course not. This is an opportunity to discover early if your child may need help, but no parent is required to participate. It is often difficult for a parent to tell if a child is simply developing at a slower rate than many others or if there is really reason for concern.
Is this a nursery school program?
No, it is an individual education program designed to meet the needs of each child. Objectives and goals are developed by the teacher and parents for each child and close contact with the home is maintained.
What special services are included in the preschool program?
  • An individual educational program
  • Adaptive physical education consultation
  • Auditory impairment consultation
  • Occupational therapy consultation
  • Physical therapy consultation
  • Psychological services
  • Social work services
  • Speech and language therapy
  • Visual impairment consultation
Home Office Information
Northwest Special Education District
1205 S. Chicago Ave.
Freeport, IL 61032
Telephone: (815) 232-5911
Serving the following school districts
Dakota
East Dubuque
Freeport
Galena
Lena
Mt. Carroll
Orangeville
Pearl City
River Ridge
Savanna
Scales Mound
Stockton
Warren