Red Clay School District Community Peer 2024-2025 Application

The Red Clay Early Years Program (EYP) is committed to meeting the needs of preschool aged children with and without disabilities.  Children with identified disabilities/IEPs receive free special education services (FAPE) through our program.  We have 3 preschool locations for the 2024-25 school year. 

EYP @Early Learning Center
1621 Telegraph Road
Wilmington, DE 19804

EYP @ Richardson Park Elementary
16 Idella Avenue
Wilmington, DE 19804 

EYP @ Warner Elementary
801 W. 18th Street
Wilmington, DE  19802

 

EYP Choice for Community Peers

·        The families of children with IEPs do not need to apply for program admission, unless their IEP is for Speech Language Impairment only. Those students are considered Community Peers.

·        Children without identified disabilities/IEPs are Community Peers and must apply for admission. 

·        For a child to be considered for admission as a Community Peer, the child must not be eligible for special education services.  If at any time during the admissions process a child has been found eligible for special education services, please contact one of our EYP offices @ 302-434-6087 or 302-651-2607. 

·        The number of Community Peer openings may change at any time based on capacity. 

·        To be eligible for your child to attend Red Clay Early Years Program you must be a resident or an employee of Red Clay School District

·        Monthly tuition is required for Community Peers. 

2024-25 School Year Monthly Tuition Rates

Full Day BK (4-year olds)  $350/month

Half Day EC (3-year olds) AM Session $175/month

Half Day EC (3-year olds) PM Session $150/month

  • The Red Clay School District will advertise the EYP Open Application Period in a variety of ways, such as on the EYP website, at district schools and at community events.
  • All interested families will complete the Community Peer Application during the Open Application Period.  Families will complete an online Community Peer Application. Families without internet access may visit the Choice office for a paper application @ 2914 Duncan Rd. Wilmington, DE 19808 – phone – (302) 552-3789.
  • Community Peers that attended as three- year olds may be accepted for their four year old year, but are required to reapply.
  • During the Open Application Period, all applicants must be at least three years of age on or before August 31st to apply for the following school year.  Red Clay School District will attempt to fill all half-day slots with children who are at least three-years of age on or before August 31st.  Once the school year begins, if half-day slots are available, Red Clay School District may enroll children whose third birthdays are on September 1st or after.
  • Parents/Guardians must agree that the information submitted via the Community Peer Application is true and/or correct.  Providing information that is not true and/or correct may result in a Community Peer Application being withdrawn from the Applicant Pool.
  • Please note that all Community Peers transportation to and from the program must be provided by the family.  Excessive late pick-ups may result in termination of the Community Peer Contract.
  • Families will be notified of their child’s invitation to attend EYP or waitlist status by May 31, 2024.  Completed registration is required by June 30, 2024 to confirm acceptance of enrollment.  Registrations not received by June 30, 2023 will result in withdraw of the invitation to attend.

Community Peer Lottery Process

If oversubscribed at the end of the Open Application Period, EYP will hold a lottery in May, applying the preferences described below.  Children whose applications are received after the Open Application Period will be placed on the waitlist.  If not oversubscribed, EYP will conditionally admit all students who apply during the Open Application Period, and will add students, based on the preferences below. The waitlist does not carry over year to year. 

Community Peer Invitation and Registration Process

  • The families of invited children must register their child by June 30, 2024 at an EYP Office located at the Early Learning Center, Richardson Park Elementary or Warner Elementary.
  • At any time, Red Clay School District may choose to invite/enroll children who are district residents and have been evaluated for special education eligibility, but do not qualify for services. (pending available space)
  • Parents/guardians of Community Peers must complete an updated Developmental Screening prior to enrollment, at least one time every 6 months, or as requested by EYP staff.  Families who do not complete an updated Developmental Screening as requested, may be withdrawn from EYP or excused from programming until screening is completed.
  • If the complete Application Process is not received by June 30 2024 (including proof of residence, shot records, current immunization schedule, birth certificate and all other information based on Red Clay School District’s Application Process), the child will be withdrawn from the pool of applicants.
  • Transportation must be provided by the family.  Excessive late pick-ups may remove your child from the program. 
  • Tuition is due on the 5th of each month.  Failure to pay will result in an automatic withdraw of your child from the program.

Preferences will be applied to fill EYP Community Peer slots in the order listed below:

1.     Enrolled children who are eligible to return (not yet kindergarten age).

2.     Children who attended the EYP program as a student with an identified disability, but have been dismissed from special education services, and are Red Clay School District residents.

3.     Siblings of children who are Red Clay School District residents, who are currently attending the Early Years Program, and will be in attendance in EYP for the next school year.  This preference may be applied to the siblings of newly accepted students before, during, and after the lottery period.  The Sibling Preference is intended to keep families together.  A sibling is defined as a biological/adoptive sibling, a step-sibling, or a foster child residing within the same household.  Step siblings living in different households are not considered for a sibling preference.  If a student is enrolled from the lottery based upon the sibling preference, and the student currently attending EYP withdraws to go to another school, the sibling accepted during the lottery will be deemed to have lost acceptance status.  Same age sibling will be treated as one single applicant unit, rather than as multiple applicants.  When that one applicant unit is drawn in the lottery, the same age siblings will be numerically ordered on the waiting list or conditionally accepted dependent upon where in the lottery that applicant unit was drawn.  NOTE: Siblings of current students must submit an application during the Open Application Period to receive the sibling preference. 

4.     Children who have a Speech Language Impairment (SLI) and are Red Clay School District residents.  This preference may be applied before, during, and after the lottery period.

5.     Children whose parents/guardians are Red Clay School District Employees.

6.     Children who reside in Red Clay School District.

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Early Childhood Education Schools

  1. Red Clay Early Years Program
  2. Richardson Park Elementary
  3. Warner Elementary

Pre-Kindergarten Schools

  1. Red Clay Early Years Program
  2. Richardson Park Elementary
  3. Warner Elementary


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