Preschool Program and Registration Information
Welcome to the North Mason Schools Mary E. Theler Early Learning Center. This center is home to all of the early childhood programs and services offered by the North Mason School District and those who the district is in partnership. The programs offered at the center are ECEAP, Special Education Developmental Classrooms, Educationally Related Therapy Services (Itinerate Speech and Language Pathology, Occupational Therapy or Physical Therapy Services, and Early Entrance Kindergarten (i.e. Transition Kindergarten) This center is located at 22871 WA-3, Belfair 98528 or call 360-277-2344.
Although there are different criteria needed to qualify for each of these programs (ECEAP, Developmental Preschool, Itinerate SLP and Early Entrance Kindergarten), once a student qualifies for any of these programs the staff at the center will join forces to create an inclusionary climate of planned learning activities for children of all abilities to participate in at designated times during the school day as much as possible.
Limited bus transportation to and from school is provided for the center’s classroom programs. If your child is offered bus service an adult must be present at the bus stop for the ride to school and again to meet the child at the stop on the return trip at the end of the school day.
COVID Pandemic Impacts: Impacts of the COVID Pandemic have caused changes in the way the programs at the Early Learning Center are provided. Some programs are only offered virtually, and onsite programs require students to wear a mask while participating in learning activities.
ECEAP This DCYF program is administered by Olympic Educational Service Center who partners with North Mason Schools to provide 3 hour sessions in AM and PM Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday mostly concurrent with the NMSD School Year. Due to impact of the COVID Pandemic all ECEAP services are being provided virtually at this time. Families must meet program qualification for ECEAP. For ECEAP Program information call 360-478-6889 or 360-478-6860.
CHILD FIND for Developmental Special Education Classroom Programs and Educationally Related Itinerate Speech and Language, Occupational Therapy or Physical Therapy Services: Students must qualify for these special services by demonstrating significant delays in at least one of five child developmental areas: Social-Emotional, Speech/Communication, Adaptive (life skills), Cognitive, or Motor (fine/gross). If you have questions about Child Find services call the North Mason School District Special Services Office at 360-277-2111.
If you have a child or know of a child that you suspect may experience delays in one or more of these areas, please contact the Special Services Department of North Mason Schools at 360-277-2111 to request a screening. Child Find screenings occur at the Mary E. Theler Early Learning Center on select Wednesdays during the school year.
Special Education Developmental Classroom Program: Students must qualify for classroom services to attend this special education program. Significant delays in one or more of five developmental areas are required to participate in this program. A child find evaluation process is required for all student who are considered. Once qualified a child will attend as needed in 2.5 hour a day (AM or PM) program sessions up to 4 days a week (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday). Transportation to and from the AM and PM sessions are available for families whose child attends. For information about the AM and PM Developmental Classroom Program or Child Find call the Mary E. Theler Early Learning Center 360-277-2344 or the Student Services Office at 360-277-2111.
Itinerate Speech and Language Pathology Services (SLP): Students must qualify for these services based on an evaluation by a Certified Speech and Language Pathology Therapist. Students must show moderate delay in speech/communications developmental areas. Once qualified, the student and therapist will work to meet goals specially designed to improve the speech and language needs of the child. These students are generally served in a one-on-one or small group setting with a therapist for about 30 minutes a week. Parents must provide transportation to and from these therapy sessions. For information about these services or the Child Find process call the Mary E. Theler Early Learning Center 360-277-2344 or the Student Services Office at 360-277-2111.
Early Entrance Kindergarten: Students must meet program requirements to qualify for this delayed start preschool program. This full day program is free for any student who resides within the North Mason School District who have not participated in any formal early learning program and who have a birthday which will allow them to start kindergarten in the fall. These students must also demonstrate some area of need academically or social emotionally. The registration for this program will start in the spring and the classes will start after September, as soon as possible, once sufficient students are identified for the program. For more information, please call the Mary E. Theler Early Learning Center 360-277-2344.
