OUR MISSION
The Early Education Program works together with families to prepare children of all backgrounds and abilities for kindergarten and beyond
Who We Are
The Early Education Program (EEP) is Lane County's largest specialized preschool serving more that 200 children ages three to five. We serve 140 children with special needs, including autism, ADHD and other developmental delays. Ninety percent of our children are considered at-risk for school failure and two thirds of our children live in poverty. EEP, a private non-profit since 1981, now has 18 neighborhood classrooms serving families in Creswell, Junction City, Eugene and Springfield.
What We Do
All of EEP's children with special needs require individualized instruction by specially trained teachers. Our theme-based curriculum includes a combination of teacher directed, child-choice and fun classroom activities. Children with developmental disabilities receive speech, physical and occupational therapy and transportation, tailored to their specific needs. To see the needs of our children, class sizes are small (8-10 children) with at least four teachers per classroom. EEP focuses on developing communication, social-emotional, fine motor, pre-literacy and number skills so that children are ready-to-learn when they enter kindergarten.
We believe in the importance of working together with families to prepare all children, particularly those with special needs, to be successful in kindergarten and beyond.
We believe in the importance of working together with families to prepare all children, particularly those with special needs, to be successful in kindergarten and beyond.
How We Are Supported
The Early Education Program is free for children with developmental disabilities. Funding for these children is provided by the State of Oregon in cooperation with Early Childhood CARES. Local school districts contract with EEP to provide another year of preschool for some kindergarteners. State and school district funding and tuition are not sufficient to cover the expenses for this highly individualized education program. Additional funding from grants, private donations and fundraising events are necessary to achieve our mission.