Preschool Student Eligibility

The primary goal of the Canal Winchester Local Schools Preschool program is to identify preschool students with disabilities and provide them with the special education services they need. These services can be offered through various models and locations across our community.

Our program caters to preschool-age children with identified need for intervention, such as speech/language delays, fine/gross motor issues, and general developmental delays. These determinations are made after a thorough evaluation conducted by the school district. Students who qualify for these services can begin receiving them from the age of 3, as required by state and federal regulations. The best part is that there is no cost to parents for these special needs services.

If you have concerns about your child’s development, please complete registration, and you will be contacted about next steps. Click here to complete pre-registration.

We also have a Preschool Peer Model program, where children who are at least 4 years old, toilet-trained, and exhibit age-appropriate behavior and development can participate. To be eligible, the child must participate in a Play-based Observation. If considering your child for our Peer Model Program, families should consider if their child is able to:

• Use the bathroom independently
• Wash and dry hands
• Manage belongings / hang up a coat
• Eat independently with utensils
• Wait patiently for attention
• Answer yes, no, who, what, and where questions
• Follow simple directions
• Play independently for at least five minutes
• Use basic classroom supplies (paper, pencil, scissors, crayons)
• Attend to a short story
• Drink from a cup
• Wait for a turn
• Initiate interactions with peers
• Share with peers

Our Peer Model Program has a tuition fee of $100 per month for nine months during the school year, and parents are responsible for providing transportation for their peer model children. There are times when we are full and not accepting Peer Models. If you would like to check on the status of openings before registering, you can call Indian Trail Elementary at (614) 833-2154.

We are committed to creating a supportive environment for all our preschool students, and we are excited to work together with parents and children to ensure every child's growth and success.