Cranston child outreach program???

dimples112

Did anyone have their child do this? Is it mandatory to have done for them to enter kindergarten? I remember when she was about 3 years old we got a letter about this program but it said it was optional. When we took dd for her kindergarten registration they asked if she had done this outreach program and I said no and they said I needed to make an appointment and they set it up for me. I had thought this was optional and we didn't have to take her. She's in preschool and is doing well.  What exactly is this program?

asf619

I don't know about Cranston, but in my town, since my DD did not attend the town's preschool, she had to attend a screening at the school where they could evaluate certain skills. It was basically a supervised play period, and she had a blast. They also contacted her preschool for feedback about other areas. But, I remember even when I was little, I had to go to a kindergarten screening before being enrolled in K. Maybe the appointment for your DD is similar, and not actually this program? *shrug*

AmyRI

For most kids, it's just a screening program to make sure they are developing on time. If they aren't, then there are options for treatment before they enter kindergarten. The goal is to get kids help so they don't enter K behind, and the sooner you correct issues the better they do in school later on. It is a state wide program, not just Cranston.

If you've heard of Early Intervention, it's the same thing but for a different age group. EI handles under 3, Child Outreach handles 3-5 yo.

From what I know, it is optional, but it won't hurt to have her evaluated if it's easier than fighting the school about it.

More info here: http://ride.ri.gov/OSCAS/earlychild/Child_Outreach.aspx

kmm13

We had it done in April at the school where DS will go for K; really not a big deal, it took less than a half hour.  DS enjoyed it and was smiling the whole time.