Child Find Early Learning Screenings

Early Learning Child Find seeks to identify and assist families with young children ages three to five years who are not currently enrolled in school and may need special education services. Free Child Find screenings are held throughout the school year and take approximately one and a half hours to complete. During this time, a free vision, hearing, speech/language, social/emotional, self-help, motor skills, and learning concepts screening will be conducted with the child, with additional input from parents. Parents are encouraged to bring with them any developmental and/or medical documentation concerning their child that they would like the screening team to consider.

Appointments 

An appointment is required for a free Early Learning Child Find screening. If your child is already in school, please contact your school principal to discuss your concerns.

Please complete the Child Find Intake form to request an Early Learning Child Find screening. Upon providing your contact information, a staff member from Hand-in-Hand Early Learning Center will be in touch with you via phone or email to discuss options. If you have any questions before then, you are welcome to call our main office at 360-279-5928.

Child Find Intake Form

Children Under 3

If your child is under the age of three, you can inquire to see if they qualify to receive special program assistance through STEPS. Parents can call 360.679.1039 or email steps@takingstepstogether.org for more information.

In preparation for entry into kindergarten, our district offers programs that help families with young children get a boost in promoting learning skills and assessing development. Programs are free with advance registration.

Kindergarten Ready 

This program is offered free during the school year to families who live in Oak Harbor and may need assistance in helping their child become ready for kindergarten. Consecutive class sessions are conducted by early learning specialists who provide instruction in learning development, plus games and activities for babies and toddlers. Parents also receive free learning toys to encourage fun and growth. Get more information on the Ready for Kindergarten website, or contact Juliet Colter at 360.279.5941. 

Additional information for incoming Kindergarten families can be found on our Kinder Families Guide page.

Oak Harbor Public Schools is now accepting applications for the 2024-2025 school year for the Transition to Kindergarten (TK) program

Transition to Kindergarten (TK) is a legislatively established and authorized program for children who are at least 4-years-old by August 31 and have been identified through a screening process to be in need of additional preparation to be successful kindergarten students in the following school year.

Parents/guardians who believe their child would meet eligibility for the Oak Harbor Public Schools Transition to Kindergarten program should apply by August 23, 2024. The application closes for round one consideration on Friday, June 14, 2024. It will reopen on August 1, 2024 for round two consideration. All students who meet qualifications will be screened during the first week of September.

Please note, preferential placement will be given to students not currently enrolled in another preschool or early learning program. With the completion of this application, you are granting permission to share necessary information with you regarding the placement of your child in our new program.

Complete an Application

After you submit the application, you should get a notice on your screen that your response has been recorded. Please allow time for staff to review and contact you about next steps.