Preschool Information

The FHSD preschool program is designed to meet the diverse needs of all students by creating an engaging community of learners ages 3 to 5 years old.

All school districts are required by federal law to provide special education and related services for preschool-age students that are identified with a disability. The Forest Hills Preschool Program integrates preschool students that are typically developing (peer models) with children that have identified needs and require an Individualized Education Program (IEP).  

PEER MODEL INFORMATION FOR THE 2021-22 SCHOOL YEAR

The Forest Hills Preschool Program uses an online application and lottery system for Peer Model acceptance into the Preschool Program. The application is currently closed for the 2021-2022 school year. Please complete a Peer Model Application to be added to the waitlist for the 2021-22 School Year.

Details of a Peer Model Program:

• Peer Models have the opportunity to interact with children with a variety of needs.  Our experiences indicate that the children learn compassion, empathy, and the ability to accept/celebrate differences and similarities among all their peers in the classroom.  
• Children with special needs learn through observation, practice, and modeling the behavior of their peers.  Peer Models provide an example of age-appropriate skills in social, behavior, play, speech, language, and motor skills. 
• Your child must meet the Peer Model Criteria (listed below) to be accepted as a peer model. If your child’s application does not meet the criteria below, you will be notified by the Preschool Case Coordinator and will be encouraged to apply to a community preschool program/daycare. If you have concerns regarding your child’s development after reading the Peer Model Criteria, please contact the Forest Hills Preschool Administrative Assistant, Patty Dold, at 231-3600 ext: 2950. Forest Hills School District is committed to responding to your concerns. 

Peer Model Admissions Criteria:                                                       

• The child will be 3 years old by August 1st of the enrolling year. 

• The child is completely potty trained, meaning he/she wears underwear and does not have daytime accidents. 

• The child is able to follow rules, routines, and can attend to activities for approximately 5 minutes.  

• The child's speech is clear and understandable by unfamiliar adults.  

• The child is able to play with a variety of toys appropriately and can play beside and/or with other children while sharing the same bin of toys. 

• The family does not have any concerns with the child’s speech/language, social-emotional development, motor development, cognitive, or adaptive behavior.

Additional Information:

• The Forest Hills Preschool Programs are located at Sherwood Elementary School and Summit Elementary School.
• Preschool classes meet Monday through Thursday. 
  • AM Session:  9:15 AM to 12:00 PM
  • PM Session:  1:00 PM to 3:45 PM
• Peer Model Tuition wil be $1,900.00 for the 2021-22 school year.  Upon acceptance into the Preschool program, a $100 non-refundable deposit for processing the registration papers and to hold the student’s spot is required. This will be applied to tuition.  The remaining tuition will be paid in four quarterly payments, $450 due August 15, 2021, $450 due October 15, 2021, $450 due December 15, 2021, $450 due February 15, 2022.   Payment must be made through our district payment system, EZPay.
• All preschool teachers hold a minimum of a bachelor’s degree and are licensed to provide services for both regular education and special education students.
• The Forest Hills Preschool Program curriculum is aligned to the state of Ohio Early Learning and Developmental Standards.
• The Forest Hills Preschool Staff is knowledgeable about Forest Hills School District kindergarten expectations and kindergarten readiness skills.  All learning opportunities are designed to help prepare children to enter kindergarten ready to learn.

If you are interested in having your child attend the Forest Hills Preschool Program as a peer model and your child meets all the Peer Model Criteria (listed above), please complete a Peer Model Application.

Please contact Melissa Buckalew, Coordinator of Teaching and Learning, melissabuckalew@foresthills.edu, or Jody Brandon, Preschool Case Coordinator, jodybrandon@foresthills.edu, at 231-3600 with any additional questions. 

Age Requirement for Children with Special Needs:                                                                                              

Students with identified special needs must be 3 years old before they can begin to receive Special Education and Related Services. The Forest Hills School District provides a continuum of services based on your child's needs. Services may include individual or group intervention supports (e.g., speech, occupational therapy, physical therapy) or participation in our center-based preschool program. These services will be determined at your child's Individualized Education Plan (IEP) meeting. For questions, please contact Forest Hills Preschool Administrative Assistant, Patty Dold, at 231-3600 ext: 2950.

Pay tuition and fees:

Click here to pay tuition and fees for preschool.

The Forest Hills School District preschool program is recognized for excellence 

Sherwood Elementary School and Summit Elementary School have received the 5-Star Step Up To Quality Award from the Ohio Department of Education and Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. Step Up To Quality is a rating and improvement system. The system recognizes and promotes learning and development programs that meet quality program standards that exceed preschool licensing and school age child care licensing health and safety regulations. Step Up To Quality program standards are based on national research identifying standards which lead to improved outcomes for children.

PRESCHOOL GUIDE AND ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

2020-2021 Preschool guide and staff information

Pandemic Procedures and Guidelines

Family information form

Family income statement

Medical and dental form

Developmental resources for 3-year-olds

Developmental resources for 4-year-olds

Developmental resources for 5-year-olds 

Ohio's Early Learning Assessment 

Ohio's kindergarten readiness skills 

Master Pre-School Calendar

Summit Pre-School Supply List

Sherwood Pre-School Supply List

HEALTHCHEK

Healthchek is Ohio's Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment Program. It is a service package for babies, kids and young adults younger than age 21 who are enrolled on Ohio Medicaid. The purpose of Healthchek is to discover and treat health problems early. If a potential health problem is found, further diagnosis and treatment are covered by Medicaid. Healthchek covers ten check-ups in the first two years of life and annual check-ups thereafter and offers a comprehensive physical examination. You can read more information here.  

HEAD START

The Hamilton County Educational Service Center operates a Head Start program at Mercer Elementary for children ages 3- to 5-years- old.  The half-day classes taught by qualified early childhood teachers are intended to help children enter kindergarten ready to learn. The morning session operates from 8 a.m-11:30 a.m. and the afternoon session operates from 12:10 p.m.-3:45 p.m.  Nutritious meals and snacks are provided as a component of this comprehensive program.

The program is free to families who meet certain income guidelines.  For more information and to enroll, call HCESC at 513-674- 4329 or visit http://hcescheadstart.org/.