The
Office of Early Childhood Education strives to provide a comprehensive,
community based approach to school readiness in Beaufort County through
quality early childhood education, family literacy, and parent
education. Through collaborative partnerships with a number of community
family support agencies and child care providers, the district focuses
to improve the lives of preschool age children so that they can take
full advantage of educational opportunities. Early childhood programs
and initiatives to improve the effectiveness of parents as the primary
teachers of their children promote and encourage language, intellectual
growth, and physical social-emotional skills.
Our Mission
To
provide leadership and services to parents, teachers, schools, and
community in the development and implementation of quality early
childhood and family literacy programs that enable preschool children to
enter school ready to succeed.
Child Find
The
Beaufort County School District offers comprehensive developmental
screenings for children ages 2 ½ - 5 years old. During each school
year, parents are encouraged to take their child to neighborhood
elementary schools where they can receive a speech, vision, hearing, and
developmental screening. The parents of children needing early
intervention programs and pre-kindergarten placement are offered
programs and assistance.
Pre-kindergarten programs are
available in all Beaufort County Elementary schools and Early Childhood
Centers. Students are selected based on a set of criteria, which
includes the DIAL 4, a standardized test. Registration and assessment
occur in the Spring.
Ashley Hutchison, Coordinator of Early Childhood Education
(843) 521-2439
(843) 322-3099 fax
Ashley.Hutchison@beaufort.k12.sc.us
Mary Beth Christensen, Office Manager
(843) 521-2399
(843)322-3099 fax
MaryBeth.Christensen@beaufort.k12.sc.us