Early Learning

The Early Intervention Program offers playgroups and assessments for children turning three years of age who may display developmental delays or may be at risk for learning problems.

Our Early Intervention Program encourages parents to be active participants during the assessment process. A nurse, social worker, psychologist, and speech pathologist work closely with families to ensure a positive and comfortable transition into early childhood services.

Free developmental screenings (click here for upcoming dates) for children age birth to 33 months are offered to families who live in District 15, and are held at the John G. Conyers Learning Academy, 2800 Central Road in Rolling Meadows.

TIME: 9:30-11:50 a.m. (by appointment only)

To make an appointment or for more information, contact Genna Guttman, guttmang@ccsd15.net at 847-963-3434.

Early Childhood Developmental Enrichment Center

The Early Childhood Developmental Enrichment Center (ECDEC) program is for 3- and 4-year-old students identified as being at risk. Children who qualify for the ECDEC program exhibit delays of six months or less. The program is funded through a state grant. The grant provides funding for staff salaries and equipment; District 15 provides classroom space. ECDEC and District 15 staff screen preschool students. Screenings take place at CLA. Parents can call (847) 963-3450 to set up an appointment for screening for their child.

Preschool for All

D15 offers families with children between the ages of 3 to 5 years old who are not eligible for Kindergarten an opportunity to participate in age-appropriate activities, to make friends, and to learn academic skills. 

The first step is to complete both the ASQ-3 and the ASQ-SE Developmental Screening Tool

To screen your birth to 2-year old child for FIND:  

• Visit our ASQ Screening website at: ASQ-3 English  |  ASQ-3 Español

To screen your 3-5 year-old child for ECDEC Preschool:

• Visit our ASQ Screening website at: ASQ-SE English   |   ASQ-SE Español

If you have any questions or prefer to complete paper copies of the screening paperwork, please contact Noemi Nova at (847) 963-3450 or nnova@ecdec.org.

If you are interested in learning more about ECDEC and FIND, please check out our ECDEC website.

District 15 was approved for an Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) Early Childhood - Preschool for All Expansion (PFAE) grant in 2024, and opened its first classroom at Virginia Lake Elementary School on February 1, 2024. This classroom will meet the needs of 20 three- and four-year olds with at-risk status as demonstrated by factors such as homelessness, involvement in the child welfare system, developmental delays and disabilities, no previous early learning experiences, and families below the 50% and 100% federal poverty level.

The Early Childhood Special Education Program serves children three to five years of age with special education needs. These children have identified developmental delays or disabilities in one or more of the following areas: speech and language, social-emotional, motor, or intellectual. Children are referred to the program by their parents, pediatricians, or outside agencies who request screening and assessment. A case study evaluation is completed, and an individualized educational plan is developed with the parents. Services for children with disabilities are mandated at age three and are initiated as soon as possible following the assessment process. The program provides appropriate early education by attending to the needs of individual children in a secure, accepting environment.

Because parents are the most significant factor in a child's educational success, it is essential that parents and school specialists work together as a team to plan for the child's educational program. Each member of the team approaches the child's unique needs with special expertise which is integrated into the goals and objectives established for each child.

The Individualized Educational Plan (IEP) is regularly updated, and each child's program is continuously monitored for necessary revisions. In most classrooms, children are included with typically developing peers. Support services are integrated within the classrooms. The child's learning is seen as a dynamic process where the child is an active explorer and initiator. The classroom provides opportunities for interaction and group activities tailored to the individual needs of each child and designed to enhance overall development.