Through the Family, Infant and Toddler Project of Vermont, children from birth to age three who are eligible for Special Education receive services through the Addison County Parent/Child Center, which is the Supervisory Union’s host agency for the project. Referrals for these services typically come from physicians, parents, or outside agencies.

Child Development Information Day is offered by the Early Childhood staff to screen all three and four year old children residing within the five towns of the Supervisory Union. Through parent interviews and play-based assessment, information is obtained which may be useful in planning for the child’s educational needs, including possible referrals for additional support for further evaluation.

The Supervisory Union provides pre-kindergarten services to three through five-year-olds at the Addison Northwest Early Childhood Program. This program includes children eligible for Title I services, those eligible for Essential Early Education (special education), and typically developing children. It is a center-based program housed in a facility adjoining the Vergennes Union Elementary School and serves children from the five towns, which make up the supervisory union. Children are identified through the screening process, transition from the Family, Infant and Toddler Project of Vermont, or referrals from physicians, parents, or other agencies.

Essential Early Education (EEE) is a special education program that provides individualized learning opportunities to children ages three to five. A plan is developed for each child eligible for EEE services to address her/his individual needs. Eligibility criteria are established by state and federal regulations.

The Early Childhood Program focuses primarily on assisting children to develop communication, social/emotional, motor, and cognitive skills. Strong parental involvement is a major component of the program, and their participation in conferences and workshops is highly valued.

The Early Childhood staff provides regular summer playgroup opportunities for community pre-school aged children, and they assist staff from the Parent/Child Center in hosting playgroups throughout the school year. Outreach is also provided by staff to area registered daycare providers, with regular visits, materials, and information given to the providers who choose to participate.