|
English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو
Become a Direct Subscriber
If you received this as a forward from your child's teacher and would like to receive our family newsletters and other updates like this directly, please use the “Subscribe to the Early Childhood Newsletter” link under "Early Childhood News and Announcements" on the FCPS Early Special Education web page to subscribe or update your preferences.
PreK Enrollment
FCPS PreK and Early Head Start program provides a high quality early learning experience for qualifying children ages 6 weeks to 4 years old. Your family may qualify for PreK or Early Head Start if you live in Fairfax County and meet certain age and family eligibility guidelines. PreK is for children who will be 3 or 4 years old by September 30. Early Head Start serves children from birth to age 2, as well as pregnant women living in the Reston, Herndon, or Springfield areas. Families may qualify based on factors such as income, homelessness or foster care, having a parent with limited education, or if a child receives special education services.
Because space is limited, placement is based on family need—not on who applies first. Priority for PreK is given to 4-year-olds and children with multiple risk factors. Applications open each January for the next school year, and families are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.
For more information on the application and enrollment process, please visit the FCPS website for PreK and Early Head Start.
Community Peers
Children who are ages 3-4 by September 30th (birthday after 9/30/2025) may be eligible to attend preschool classes at an FCPS elementary school thanks to FCPS Community Peers.
The Community Peer program provides an opportunity for preschoolers with all abilities to work and play on a regular basis. Selected community peers attend as peer models in an early childhood special education classroom to promote social, academic, and language development.
Community Peers must be fully potty trained and not currently receiving FCPS special education services. Parents are responsible for providing transportation and meals for their child while attending the school site. Days and hours vary based on location, with half-day and full-day options for FCPS staff that may be available based on program availability at select schools.
Please complete this form if you are interested in having your child attend as a community peer.
IEP: The Present Level of Performance (PLOP)
The Present Level of Academic and Functional Performance (PLOP) section of the Individualized Education Program IEP is where an IEP team member summarizes and documents your child’s current development and skills. This includes information about your child’s strengths and areas of need, and how those needs affect participation in everyday routines and early learning experiences. During the IEP meeting, the team also includes parent or family concerns, along with any developmental, behavioral, social/emotional, environmental, and/or medical factors that may impact your child’s growth and learning.
This section also reflects your child’s strengths and interests across daily activities and interactions. By documenting the information discussed at the meeting, the PLOP helps ensure there is a clear connection between your child’s current development, the goals that are written, and the supports and services provided through the IEP.
For more information, please visit Fairfax County Public Schools Special Education Handbook for Parents.
Child Development: Social Emotional (Virginia's Early Learning & Development Standards)
Social and emotional skills help children make friends, learn, and feel good about themselves at school. For children with disabilities, these skills may develop in different ways and at a different pace. Through caring, supportive relationships with adults at home and at school, children learn that they are safe, valued, and capable. They learn to express their feelings in many ways, including through words, actions, signs, pictures, or communication devices. Over time, children grow from simply showing emotions to beginning to calm themselves, understand how others feel, and work through problems. While some children learn social skills naturally by watching and playing with others, some need skills like sharing, taking turns, or understanding social cues to be clearly and directly taught.
Families play an important role in partnering with schools to support social and emotional growth. Talking about feelings at home, modeling calm behavior, practicing simple routines, and gently guiding your child through challenges can reinforce what they are learning at school. If your child benefits from direct teaching then practicing social skills through role-play, visual supports, or simple conversations about “what to do,” in different situations can be helpful. A helpful resource for families is the NAEYC website, especially the article Building Social and Emotional Skills at Home. It shares simple, everyday ways parents can support their child’s emotional growth—such as talking about feelings during story time, playing turn-taking games, and modeling calm problem-solving.
Staying connected with your child’s teachers and celebrating small steps forward builds confidence and consistency. With strong home–school partnerships and steady support, children can develop the social and emotional skills they need to succeed in school and beyond.
Resources from the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE)
The VDOE has released resources created by the Family Engagement Network (FEN), through a grant provided by the Virginia Department of Education and managed by the Center for Family Involvement at the Partnership for People with Disabilities at Virginia Commonwealth University.
Transition Across the Grade Span: From Pre-K to Post-Grad is a resource that helps families plan for their child's future, from early childhood through adulthood, by addressing skills in four key areas of transition planning.
The Keys to Academic Success: Critical Decision Points in Early Childhood Companion assists families with helping their young child with a disability or developmental delay receive the best possible preschool education.
|
