Who We Are - Whittier Early Childhood Center
We are nurturing the development of early learning through play and social interaction, preparing our preschoolers for kindergarten success.
Mission + Vision
It is the mission of Sidney City Schools to inspire, empower, and prepare our students for their best future.
Our vision is to meet the needs of all students in a safe, respectful, and responsible learning community.
Our School
Sidney City Schools is proud to offer preschool to children ages 3-5, serving both students with disabilities and their typically developing peers.
Early childhood education lays the groundwork for the development of a lifelong learner.
As educators, it is our goal to support the whole child by providing learning opportunities in all areas of development including social-emotional skills and academic foundations. Children develop an excitement for learning through a play-based, multi-sensory approach and meaningful interactions with others.
We strive to provide a fun, safe, and exciting culture that encourages students to take risks, problem-solve, and move toward independence.
Our program provides learning experiences that incorporate student interests and address individual needs.
We Believe
We believe that children learn best:
- In a safe and nurturing environment
- When they are valued as unique, capable and independent individuals whose abilities are celebrated
- Through a team approach focused on the whole child, which includes parents and staff actively working together
- In a language and literacy-rich environment
- When activities are developmentally appropriate and individualized
- Learn best through the process of an activity rather than focusing on the product
- Learn best through play by investigation and exploration
- Learn best from each other and benefit from being with peers of varying abilities as they learn to function within a group
- Learn best when they are empowered to work cooperatively, problem-solve, and take responsibility for their choices
Principal's Message
Our intent is to build a strong foundation for future learning and
empower children to reach their highest potential.
Welcome to Whittier Early Childhood Center where our mission is “to nurture the development of early learning through play and social interaction, preparing our preschoolers for kindergarten success.”
Our staff understands the importance of its role in guiding and teaching our youngest students at the beginning of their life-long journey of learning. We look forward to developing academic, social, emotional, and motor skills to prepare your children for the educational opportunities of kindergarten and beyond.
I believe a partnership with our families is key to our students’ success. I look forward to meeting and talking to parents and grandparents on how we can best support the learning needs of our students, your children.
If you have questions or comments about our preschool please feel free to contact me or just stop by my office. I am looking forward to meeting and getting to know our Whittier families and friends.
In Jacket Pride,
Beth Abbott
Preschool Director
School Life
Community
Enrollment at Whittier Early Childhood Center
Families who are NEW to Whittier Early Childhood Center begin the registration process by completing the pre-registration form at https://bit.ly/WECC25-26
- Once you have completed the pre-registration form online, you will receive an email to complete the remaining online enrollment forms.
- When online enrollment forms are complete, WECC will call to schedule a screening time for your child. All preschool students must be screened—this is simply a series of developmental tests to determine if you child might require additional services.
- Additionally, the preschool enrollment process requires the following pieces of information for permanent records to be brought to your child's screening appointment:
- Parent/Guardian Photo ID
- Child’s Birth Certificate
- Proof of Residency - mortgage, lease/rental agreement, phone/water/utility bill, pay stub
- Immunization Record - shots must be up to date in accordance with the state guidelines
- Proof of Custody (as applicable)
- Medical Statement (signed by a doctor) - download here
- Dental Statement (signed by a dentist or doctor if a dentist isn't available) - download here
- Proof of Income for each Working Adult in the Household (W2, tax return, or 4 consecutive pay stubs, JFS statements)
Preschool Registration Fee
All typically developing children who take part in the preschool program will be asked to pay a registration fee of $25, due at the time of registration.
All enrolling preschoolers must go through screening before they can begin at school.
Once the online pre-registration process has been submitted for the student, a call will be made by school personnel to set up the screening appointment.
At the screening, the student will meet with all of our in-house therapists and a teacher to be tested to ensure he/she is on track developmentally in all areas including academic, speech and physical. If there are any deficiencies, the student may be recommended for further evaluation.
State assessments occur in the fall and spring each year. The Early Learning Assessment (ELA) looks at all areas of child development through play-based assessments. Each assessment given meets the child right where they are so no accommodations or modifications are needed for your child. Results of the assessment are shared on the quarterly report cards.
Contact
Whittier Early Childhood Center
425 Belmont Street
Sidney, OH 45365
937-497-2275
Elizabeth (Beth) Abbott
Preschool Director
Renee Davis
Administrative Assistant