Mission Statement - The Noblesville Schools' Early Childhood programs are supportive, nurturing environments. We provide a highly structured, language-based curriculum that allows children to learn through exploration and discovery. Our staff collaborates with families and the community to assist children in developing age-appropriate skills, fostering independence, and preparing them for the kindergarten experience.

EC Program Information
Noblesville Public Schools offers a continuum of services for Early Childhood students, ages three to five, with special needs. Each student is evaluated for needed services by our Early Childhood Assessment Team (ECAT) and each parent is informed of the results of the evaluation, their child’s needs, available programming and an Individualized Educational Plan (IEP) is developed for each student who meets state requirements to participate in an Early Childhood Program.

Classroom opportunities are varied from full time (four, half day sessions) in a developmental classroom to a community preschool placement (Head Start) with teacher resource support. Depending on a child’s needs a variety of therapy services are also available based on the need to prepare the student for the kindergarten experience. These include, but are not limited to Speech, Occupational Therapy (OT), and Physical Therapy (PT). Other children that are evaluated and require only speech services are offered these services in isolation as well.

Itinerant Services
A variety of services and support staff are available based on identified, student’s needs. Noblesville Schools through its cooperative arrangement with Hamilton-Boone-Madison Special Services provides licensed Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists (OT), Behavioral Therapists, School Psychologists, Speech/Language Pathologists as well as teachers of the Hearing and Visually Impaired. In addition, consultation is available with other educational specialists. Noblesville Schools also provides school nursing and counseling services.

Transition to Kindergarten
The goal of the Early Childhood program is to prepare children for the kindergarten experience. The EC teachers collaborate with kindergarten teachers to facilitate a smooth transition. Pre-planning, inclusionary opportunities during the pre-kindergarten year, and coordination of instructional supports result in smooth transitions. A kindergarten teacher is invited to transition conferences to plan for each individual student.

Curriculum
The curriculum of the Noblesville Early Childhood program is based on Indiana Standards. The standards include mathematics and English/language arts. Our classrooms are language-based with instruction also in the areas of physical skills, personal care skills, and social-emotional skills. Students are assessed on a daily, weekly, monthly, and annual basis. All parents receive the state mandated Indiana Standards Tool for Alternative Reporting (ISTAR) assessment report completed by their child’s teacher annually.


Frequently Asked Questions
How will my child be transported to school?
The early childhood buses have a driver and an assistant. The children ride in safety restraint systems that have a five-point harness. Prior to the start of school, transportation will contact you with a time for pick-up and drop-off. Transportation arrangements are also established at the planning conference prior to the child beginning programming.

Why four days per week?
The students attend 4 days per week in a language-based classroom to facilitate the acquisition of age-appropriate receptive and expressive language. The four-day direct instruction allows opportunities for home visits, trainings, and conferences. The home visits help students generalize skills across the home and school environments.

Who do I contact for more information?
For more information please contact Vicki Shafer, Early Childhood Coordinator at 770-2080 or for an evaluation contact Kathryn Klein, Early Childhood Assessment Team at 773-5321.