Helping Every Child Get Off to a Strong Start

For families in District #7, a child’s first school experience often begins with a simple but meaningful step: a preschool developmental screening.

Designed for children ages 3 to 5, these screenings offer families a chance to better understand their child’s growth while connecting them with early learning opportunities.

At the heart of the process is a welcoming, thoughtful approach led by Early Childhood Coordinator Jessica Tatum and her team.

“We really want the developmental screening to feel like a supportive experience for families,” Tatum shared. “It’s a chance to celebrate where children are, while also identifying any areas where we can provide additional support.”

From the moment families arrive, the process is designed to be organized, engaging, and child friendly.

After checking in, children rotate through three interactive stations:

• Motor Skills – assessing both fine and gross motor development 
• Concepts – exploring general knowledge and early learning skills 
• Speech & Language – evaluating communication and understanding 

The district uses DIAL-4 (Developmental Indicators for the Assessment of Learning), a research-based screening tool that compares each child’s development with others their same age.

Once the screening is complete, families sit down with staff to review results and receive a take-home summary of their child’s development.

The experience doesn’t end with results.

Staff take time to talk with families about next steps, whether that means enrolling in a preschool program or simply continuing to support development at home.

For some children, the screening may highlight areas where additional support could be beneficial. In those cases, District #7’s team, including psychologists, speech pathologists, and occupational therapists, works closely with families to discuss possible next steps.

Tatum explained. “Our goal is to partner with families and make sure every child has access to the experiences they need to grow,” Tatum explained. 

The screenings are open to all families in the district, regardless of whether their child is currently enrolled in a program.

“We prioritize families who may have concerns or who aren’t currently in a program,” Tatum said. “Ultimately, we just want every child to be somewhere they’re learning, growing, and building those early experiences.”

For many families, the screening is more than an assessment of the child's skills, it’s a reassuring and encouraging introduction to the school community.

Parents consistently highlight the warmth and care shown by staff:

• “Everything was well organized and efficient.”
• “The educators were so engaging and informative.”
• “The kindness and warmth of the staff stood out—especially when my child was feeling shy.”
• “This was by far the best screening—very one-on-one.”
• “Watching my child be proud of himself.”
• “Wonderful experience!”

That feedback reflects exactly what the district hopes to provide: a supportive, personalized experience where both children and families feel confident and cared for.

At its core, the preschool developmental screening is about setting children up for success academically, socially, and emotionally.

By identifying strengths, addressing needs early, and connecting families to resources, District #7 ensures that every child has the opportunity to thrive from the very beginning.

2026-27 Request Preschool Screening