Sighted Peer Program

A head start on inclusion.

The Sighted Peer Program is a vital part of our early childhood special education classroom instruction. The Sighted Peer Program provides typically developing children an opportunity to interact with same-age peers who are receiving specialized instruction in a developmentally appropriate classroom. This “inclusion” program provides a stimulating and challenging environment that offers all children a wide range of learning opportunities.

Research-based practices tell us that typically developing peers are positive role models for students with disabilities. Inclusive preschool environments promote belonging, friendships, understanding, and acceptance of others that are different. Sighted Peer students learn confidence, empathy, and school readiness skills while supporting the educational needs of their peers by being a leader and a friend. This model provides a wide range of learning opportunities that are both stimulating and challenging for both groups of children.

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“CCVI is a safe learning environment where each child is loved for their unique self. All students can learn and are given the tools to do so in an enriching and loving environment. The teachers, teaching assistants, and therapists are the best and made CCVI the perfect preschool for Harper and Lily.”

— Harper and Lily's Mother

Program Benefits

INCLUSION

CCVI’s Early Learning Academy Preschool gives kids:

Small class sizes with teaching assistants
Exposure to the differences in all of us

Curriculum

Programming at CCVI provides children with:

Expanded Core Curriculum learning
Experiential learning and field trips

Diversity

Attendance at CCVI means:

Differences are celebrated
Staff value diversity, equity, inclusion, & accessibility

attendance and pricing

Attendance of the Sighted Peer Program varies based on the age of the child, the recommendations of the Program Director, and the classroom needs. Typically, 2-year-olds begin with two half days to build rapport and learn the school day routine. This is considered the minimum attendance of the program.

As a child gets older, CCVI provides programming up to five full days for kindergarten-aged students. Selection for the Sighted Peer Program is entirely dependent on the behavioral modeling needs of specific classrooms. When a sighted student is paired with a classroom of visually impaired students, they immediately become a contributor to the environment due to predesigned scheduling based on the discretion of CCVI.

Summer only availability is also available for our Extended School Year.

Tuition varies based on the amount of programming a child receives. It is recommended that any interested families fill out the interest form to schedule a meeting with the Program Director.

Rates

schedule, holidays, and hours

Tuesday - Friday 8:15 a.m. to 3:15 p.m.
Monday 8:15 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

There is no before or after care available in the Sighted Peer Program. Pick-up and drop-off must be arranged during the school day based on the recommended programming and attendance.

CCVI observes the following holidays and breaks:

Labor Day
Thanksgiving Break
Winter Break
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
President’s Day
Spring Break
Memorial Day
Independence Day
Juneteenth

Eligibility Screening

Students who apply for this placement will be screened for eligibility before being invited to participate as a Sighted Peer. Upon invitation to participate as a Sighted Peer at CCVI, all enrollment procedures must be completed.

A 3-week trial enrollment period will take place before placement as a Sighted Peer Model becomes permanent.

Eligibility criteria includes, but is not limited to:

Age two to kindergarten, enrollment is open throughout the year for children to age into the program
Separates easily from parents
Able to follow rules and routines
Can independently attend to a preferred/self-directed activity for at least 5 to 10 minutes
Able to play beside and/or with other children while sharing the same bin of toys
Talks to other children while playing
Speech is clear and understandable by unfamiliar adults
Can understand and answer simple questions
Is well-coordinated and able to walk, run, jump, and climb
Consistent attendance

PEER MODEL PROGRAM QUALIFICATIONS

Sighted Peers are children, age 2 to kindergarten, without special needs who demonstrate average to above average skills in the areas of play, social, behavior, speech, language, and motor. Additionally, all peer models must be independent with toileting.

All Sighted Peer applicants must participate in a developmental screening as part of the consideration process. The screening instrument used is the Developmental Indicators for Academic Success, 4th edition or the DIAL IV. This screening tool provides information about the child’s development in Vision, Hearing, Language, Motor, Concepts, Self Help and Social Skills. This screening can be scheduled when the Director of Student Services contacts you regarding your interest form submission. If your child has participated in this same developmental screening opportunity through your local Parents As Teachers program within the last 6 months, you may also share the screening summary with CCVI to review. The screening summary must contain information related to all areas of development as listed above.

For additional information regarding developmental milestones for young children, please see the following link: CDC Milestones for ages 2 months to 5 years of age.

If you have concerns regarding your child's development, please contact your local school district. Should you need assistance with this process, please contact Sarah Birk, Director of Student Services at CCVI.