LEAP Preschool

The Lawndale Early Advantage Program (LEAP) is designed for students with special education needs from ages 3-5. 

We believe that children learn by actively participating in age-appropriate activities that foster the development of language, communication, social, pre-academic, and motor skills.  Young children who develop these skills have better chances of succeeding later on at school, and carry the skills with them as they grow older.

LEAP’s curriculum is guided by The Creative and The Carolina Curriculums and is aligned with the Preschool Learning Foundations developed by the California Department of Education. 

We understand that all students learn in different ways. Creating an educational program that is suited for each and every student through differentiation is one of our main objectives. Through differentiation our teachers make observations and adapt instruction and/or activities to meet individual student needs.  

All students’ individualized education programs (IEP) are continuously monitored and updated to meet their needs. We require IEP meetings at least once a year to update student goals, objectives, and services. In addition, we provide parent-teacher conferences and written progress reports at least two times per year.

Our classes include students with all abilities levels.  We ensure student success through collaboration and team work between a variety of professionals and between our students.  

Predictable routines promote student participation.

BREAKFAST: Students improve eating and self-help skills, practice communication, taste different foods, and work on table manners. 

GREETING TIME:  Students greet each other, sing songs, recite nursery rhymes, and are engaged in group activities.  Name recognition and counting skills are practiced.  

WORK TIME:  Students work throughout the classroom using toys, blocks, sand, and water. They are introduced to art, music, writing and have access to the library. This is a time for children to practice sharing and taking turns, among other social skills.

SMALL GROUP TIME:  Children work on an activity to practice goals that are written in their IEP’s.  A variety of activities are presented to promote language, math and fine motor skills.

SOCIALIZATION/SELF-HELP: Children learn to interact with other classmates and adults.  They may play in the classroom and/or take part in music, art, games, and cooking activities. Potty training is addressed and is part of the school day.

LARGE GROUP TIME:  Children come together with the adults for playing games, singing songs, doing finger plays, learning dances, playing musical instruments, exercises or retelling parts of a story.  We use flannel stories, books and puppets to encourage language.  Children learn to participate in fun activities as members of a group.

STORY TIME: Children engage in reading readiness, listening, speaking and writing activities that focus on book concepts and awareness of sounds that different letters make.

OUTSIDE TIME:  Playgrounds provide children with opportunities for movement, exploration, improved locomotion, balance and creative play.  Water and sand play allow additional opportunities to explore the environment.

COMPUTERS: Children use computers and developmentally appropriate early childhood software.  

LANGUAGE: LEAP is a language based program.  Students are encouraged to use language to express wants, needs, and social preferences.  

To be eligible for LEAP, an assessment and evaluation must determine that a student has a disability that:

Not all students with a disability meet the eligibility requirements mentioned above—there are disabilities that do not impact learning in ways that qualify a student for special education.