|
 It's
for the kids… Bal Swan Children's Center is a preschool that provides
a welcoming environment for children with special needs and typical children
from Metro Denver's northern suburbs and other Front Range communities. We
celebrate the uniqueness of every child by focusing on their strengths and
building upon their successes. The Center provides
early intervention therapies and education services for children with
disabilities from infancy to 8 years old. Approximately 40 percent of
our student population has a wide variety of disabilities and 60 percent
are typical preschoolers.
Bal Swan Children's
Center is currently celebrating our forty-third year of service to children.
We have enrolled over 6,300 children since the school was established
in 1963. The Center was the first of its type in Colorado and twice chosen
by the Colorado Department of Education for pilot projects to study educational
programs for children with special needs. The Center set the benchmark by which
all other fully inclusive preschools are measured throughout the state.
Our success-based approach continues to emphasize hands-on learning that nurtures each child's self-confidence and self-esteem. When a child accomplishes something, the entire school celebrates. Bal Swan children participate in daily activities that develop fine and gross motor skills. Children ages birth to 8 years old are encouraged to explore and learn more about the world around them. Our curriculum stresses pre-academic basics and incorporates arts/crafts, music, field trips, and swimming in our warm water therapy pool.
We have an early intervention program for children with special needs age birth to three called Parent Infant Program (PIP). Once a child is diagnosed with a disability and approved for services, he/she is eligible for assistance. PIP has a direct positive effect on families of disabled children by providing occupational, physical, and speech therapies, parenting skills, and counseling support. Staff members meet with clients, their parents and family members in their home or at a satellite site in Commerce City. Bal Swan employees work with parents and caregivers to show them the most effective ways to help their challenged child realize their fullest potential.
Those receiving in-home services come to the Center for PIP group activities each Friday, which includes using our warm water therapy pool. Challenged infants and toddlers are referred from both North Metro Community Services
in Adams County and the Developmental Disabilities Center in Boulder County.
Program addresses the needs of both typical and disabled children and
serves 65-75 children each year, depending on need. |
Two-year-old children who are enrolled at the school meet two-days per week. The classroom
is blended in a 50/50 mix of challenged toddlers with typical toddlers.
Class size is small (6-7 students) and focuses on facilitating overall
developmental skills through routine play and interaction with peers.
A unique feature of the Parent-Infant Program is the teaching staff. The
team is comprised of an early childhood education
specialist, a speech therapist and an occupational therapist. All toddlers
benefit from the specialized staff and individualized attention due to
small class size.