How is the staff unique to this program?
We will offer a multi-disciplinary approach within this classroom experience which includes the Early Childhood Teacher and an educational aide, similar to our other classrooms.  However, in this model we also involve a Licensed Mental Health Therapist as well as a Therapist Assistant.  This mix of staff trained in both the educational needs as well as the social and emotional health of preschool age children are integrated to ensure your child’s readiness for Kindergarten in all areas of their development.

How would I know if this is a match for my child?
Children display obvious markers which indicate progression in all areas of development (social, emotional and educational).  Each stage of development has important social and emotional milestones that are optimally reached within the child’s environment, both at home and in other settings.  This environment will pay close attention to all of these markers and will include you as parents in all assessments of your child’s development over the school year.  Thus, whether you are currently worried about some aspect of your child’s emotional development or simply want a classroom which integrates all aspects of child development, this class may be a fit for your child.

How is this classroom unique from the other classrooms at Peace of Mind?
As in all of our classrooms, this classroom offers a balanced, whole-child approach that prioritizes the establishment of a responsive relationship between each child, their family and our staff.  All of our staff work to understand and respond to a child’s emotional age, and support the child in addressing social and emotional needs.  Creating a healing classroom includes making room for the emotional lives of children and providing opportunities for children to have their life experiences understood. Achieving balance in inviting emotional expression as well as the containment of overwhelming emotions is an important classroom goal, regardless of the activity in which the child is engaged.  The child/ teacher ratio of four children to one adult promotes this nurturing and safe environment.  Our curriculum is based on the work of Leslie Koplow, author of ‘How Preschools Can Heal’ and ‘Schools that Heal’.  This approach teaches children to understand patterns in their emotional and behavioral reactions to people and events, learn how to regulate their reactions in more functional and socially acceptable ways, and practice self-regulation until it is internalized.  Educational expectations will be the same as other classrooms within Peace of Mind.

Other unique aspects of this classroom include the attention that will be given to all areas of your child’s development.  The environment may appear different from other classrooms as we adapt it to the children’s needs. These environmental changes may assist your child with sensory integration, especially if your child becomes easily overwhelmed in overly stimulating environments.

What additional services will be offered?
Our multi-disciplinary approach offers a team of experts which may include: 
~ Early Childhood Consultants
~ Occupational Therapists
~ Mental Health Therapists
~ Speech and Language Experts
~ Child Psychiatrist
~ Special Education Team
This team of experts will offer your child and family an array of services based on our mutual assessment of your child’s overall development. You may choose from:
~ Child/Family Therapy
~ Parent Education Classes
~ Parent Support Groups
~ Speech Therapy
~ Occupational Therapy
~ Medication Assessment and Support
~ Educational Transition Services
~ In-home Consultation

What is the referral process?
This classroom will have a maximum of twelve children.  You may request one of these slots by contacting Nikki Robbins, Director of Peace Of Mind at 651-731-2608. Four slots will be allotted to the partnership between Human Services, Inc.,  local  Special Education Departments, and Peace of Mind.  These slots will be saved for children who have had difficulty thriving in other day care or pre-school settings and will be screened by the professional team.

What is the cost of this program?
This classroom is the same cost as others within Peace of Mind Preschool. Scholarships may be available.