Program for Educating Exceptional Preschoolers (PEEP)

Newport News Public Schools has for many years offered a comprehensive program for young children ages 2-5 who qualify for special education services under IDEA. This program is housed on several elementary school campuses and offers 1/2 day and full day classes for students with a variety of disabilities. What is IDEA?

Children must be determined eligible for special education services to attend the PEEP program.

• Eligibility and screening process
• Health requirements

Certified special education teachers who specialize in Early Childhood education/development teach small classes of students with disabilities in developmentally appropriate settings, utilizing best practices from current research to individualize the curriculum for each student. Several of the PEEP classrooms offer opportunities for students with disabilities to spend quality time with their non-disabled peers in other preschool programs housed on the same campus. Still other PEEP programs are integrated into existing community preschool programs, not housed in public school facilities.

Young children learn social, self-help, communication, pre-academic, and motor skills, in accordance with the student’s IEP. Before the student leaves the PEEP Program, the IEP committee is charged with planning for effective transition into the academic world of kindergarten or first grade. Decisions must be made as to the type and level of programming appropriate for each student. What is an IEP?

Call 591-4963 x.1117 to learn more about the PEEP program or visit the PEEP web site.