Special Education

Early Childhood Preschool Programs

Child Find:

The Renton School District offers free assessments of children’s skills if initial screening information suggests that a delay may be present. Parents are invited and encouraged to observe these assessments sessions.

A variety of services are then available for preschool children with a significant delay identified by the assessment. These include:

  • preschool classroom programs
  • therapy programs (e.g., speech therapy, physical or occupational therapy)

  • consultation services for parents, preschool teachers, and daycare providers

Can your preschool child do these things?

All children develop at different rates. However, a young child may need some extra support if he or she is having trouble developing certain skills.

At 3 years of age, can your child:

  • Talk in 3 word sentences?
  • Be understood by family and familiar people?
  • Answer simple questions?
  • Engage in a two-step sequence of pretend play
  • Run without falling?
  • Copy a circle while drawing?

  • Play with peers without being asked to leave?

At 4 years of age, can your child:

  • Talk in 4 word sentences?
  • Be understood by most people?
  • Talk about things that have already happened?
  • Engage in a three or four step sequence of pretend play?
  • Ride a trike or big wheel? 
  • Use the toilet appropriately? 

  • Change from one activity to another without frequent emotional struggles? 

At 5 years of age, can your child:

  • Use complete sentences with 5 or more words?
  • Pronounce most words correctly (except those with S, R, and TH)?
  • Talk about things that will occur in the future?
  • Engage in fairly elaborate pretend play? 
  • Copy a square? 

  • Share and take turns?

If I have concerns about my child's skills, whom do I contact about a possible assessment?

Please call the district’s child find coordinator, Lisa Muller at 425-204-2210

Preschoolers transferring from another school district

If your child has already been made eligible for school district services in another district, contact the special education office, 425-204-2285.