The Early Childhood Education (ECE) programs believe in the benefit of providing a strong start for all children and families. A supportive staff works closely with families to meet the needs of individual children. Bethel provides services for children in the district from birth through three years old who may have a developmental delay by contracting with local special needs centers. The district provides preschool within the district for children three to five who may have a developmental delay or who are from an economically disadvantaged family. For a description of a developmental delay, click here

Birth to Three/Special Education

The Bethel School District contracts with Pierce County Human Services for families with children age birth through 3 years old. Services are provided through home visits and parent/child playgroups.

Early Head Start

Serves low income families and their children, ages birth to three. The program also provides services to pregnant women. Services to children and families include: child development, health and nutrition services, and information and referral to community services. For information about the Bethel Early Head Start program, call 253-683-8251.

Special Education self contained preschool programs

These programs are available to all students who have a disability within the district and qualify for special education services. Services, such as speech therapy, physcial therapy and occupational therapy are provided in class according to Individualized Education Programs (IEPs).

Special Education Blended Early Childhood Education Assistance Program (ECEAP)

These programs are available to an equal number of typically developing and developmentally disabled students. A certificated special education teacher develops the Individualized Education Program (IEP) and provides specialized services to the children with special needs. Individual Learning Plans are developed by the teacher for the ECEAP children. Therapy services are provided in the class according to IEPs.

Community programs: ECEAP and Head Start

These programs serve a limited number of disabled children in each class (about 10 percent of the class size) along with the children who qualify due to low income. A special education consultant helps the ECEAP or Head Start teacher design a specialized program, as needed and provides support in the classrooms. Therapy services are provided in the class according to IEPs.

Head Start

Head Start provides preschool programs with Individualized Learning Plans (ILPs), meals, parent education and family support to families who meet income eligibility criteria. There are two part-day Head Start programs located behind Elk Plain School of Choice. For more information about Head Start see: www.headstartinfo.org/ www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/hsb/about/index.htm

ECEAP (Early Childhood Education Assistance Program)

A state program modeled after Head Start and provides similar services. Classrooms are located at Thompson Elementary, Shining Mountain Elementary, and Pioneer Valley Elementary. For more information visit www.psesd.org/

Pierce County linkages

Bethel Early Childhood continues to be a member of the the Pierce County Linkages effort which brings together school districts, child care providers, parents, and other community members to create connections between those working with young children before they enter school and the K-12 educational system. We invite you to connect with the district's group and network with other district communities. For information visit the city of Tacoma website.

Early Childhood Links

Early Childhood Long-Range Goals Early Childhood Vision Statement

For more information:

Special Education Birth to Three, contact Geneal Palmer at 253-683-5851
Special Education Preschool, contact Reba Bruner-Croft at 253-683-5854
ECEAP or Head Start, contact Tonia Tucker at 253-683-6929
Linkages and Community Child Care, contact Mary Fischer at 253-683-7932
Benjamin McCracken, Assistant Director of Support Services, 253-683-6919
Sally Keeley, Director of Support Services, 253-683-6923