The Murfreesboro City Schools Integrated Preschool is a program that offers preschoolers, with and without disabilities, challenging experiences through a language-based curriculum.
Murfreesboro City Schools currently has 11 integrated preschool classrooms located in 5 schools within city limits. These classes are special education classes for children ages 3-5. Peer models are placed at each site to serve as role models and peer helpers to children with special needs. The integrated preschool classroom is a structured teaching environment where children with special needs and peer models learn together in a classroom that is staffed with one special education teacher and two education assistants. The interdisciplinary early childhood curriculum aims to synthesize research-based approaches in four domains of learning: mathematics, science, literacy, and social-emotional development. The curriculum consists of 6 units that focus on supporting children’s development in ten comprehensive thinking processes, which are applicable across all four domains: cooperating, comparing/classifying, communication, curiosity, imagination, observing, self-regulation, reasoning/problem solving, making sense, and using tools strategically.
Murfreesboro City Schools cannot provide any special education services to peer models in the preschool program. This includes speech therapy. The peer model application process is not intended for special needs students with a current IEP or for students who have been referred for special education services. This program may not be appropriate for children who have not previously participated in any type of childcare program.
Hours are determined according to each school’s schedule. Times for lunch, snacks and naps will be a part of the child’s daily schedule. Parents are responsible for transportation to and from the program and children must be picked up at the designated time. The Extended School Program (ESP) is available for typical peers.