Family Advocacy & Child Educational Services (FACES)

The Early Learning Program (ELP), located in the Statewide Programs building in New Castle County, provides on-site classes for deaf, hard of hearing, and deaf-blind children ages 18 months to 5 years. The program is a bimodal and bilingual environment, offering developmentally appropriate classrooms that emphasize hands-on learning across all areas of development.

All classrooms are developmentally appropriate and utilize hands-on learning experiences in all developmental areas. The Creative Curriculum and Teaching Strategies-Gold are the primary tools for curriculum delivery and assessment. In addition, language development is assessed through both visual and spoken language assessments, as appropriate for the child, to tailor the program to meet the individual needs of each child.

The ELP team is committed to fostering positive educational experiences for children and their families. The program prioritizes achieving strong child and family outcomes, working toward a brighter future for the children, families, and communities it serves. Collaboration with families is essential to ensure smooth transitions from the ELP to kindergarten and beyond.

Families are responsible to:

Ensure that your child attends school on time, every day because attendance is a key to language acquisition
Communicate clearly with your child using American Sign Language (ASL) and/or Spoken English as appropriate for your child
Provide an enriched and supportive Home Language Plan to meet your child’s needs
Read with your child daily to encourage a love of reading and to build vocabulary
Play with your child daily to encourage growth in the early childhood domains: physical, cognitive, language, and social-emotional development
Attend and actively participate in your child’s annual Individualized Educational Program (IEP) meeting
Participate in family meetings, orientation and other workshops, events and activities at ELP
Ensure that the program has access to up-to-date Emergency Contact Information
Ensure that your child is up to date on all required medical and dental needs

How the ELP Empowers Your Child and Family

The ELP at New Castle County (NCCo) will do the following for you and your child:

Provide an excellent individualized educational program for all students
Work with you to set goals that support your child’s education at home
Help identify your child’s strengths and skills and work with you to reach your own family’s goals
Offer multiple opportunities for you to participate and volunteer at ELP

ELP Classes

The ELP on-site classes at NCC is split into two types of classes: Toddlers and Preschool.

Toddlers
Preschool

Toddlers

The Toddler Program runs from 8:30am to 12:00pm on M-Th and is designed for ages 18 months to 3 years.

Our Toddler Language Program offers a unique bimodal and bilingual environment where both ASL and Spoken English are integrated into the same classroom. Students are exposed to both languages throughout their day, with activities and instruction designed to support communication in both ASL and Spoken English.

This combined approach allows toddlers to develop their language skills in a natural, immersive setting, laying the foundation for strong communication abilities in both languages.

Preschool

Preschool runs from 8:30am to 3:15pm on M-Th and 8:30 to 12:00pm on Fridays and is designed for ages 3 to 5 years.

Preschool ASL

Our Preschool ASL class offers a dynamic, bilingual learning environment where American Sign Language (ASL) is the primary mode of communication. Led by skilled staff who serve as ASL role models, students are immersed in a rich, visual language experience from day one.

In addition to ASL instruction, students also engage in pre-literacy activities using printed English, ensuring a strong foundation in both languages. For children who benefit from spoken English support, a speech-language pathologist is available to assist with speech and language development on an individual basis.

Preschool Spoken English

In our Preschool Spoken English class, students are guided by experienced staff members whose primary mode of communication is spoken English. These instructors serve as role models, providing consistent exposure to clear, effective spoken language.

Alongside spoken English instruction, students participate in pre-literacy activities with printed English, laying the groundwork for strong reading and writing skills. For students who may need additional support, a speech-language pathologist is available to assist with individualized spoken English development.

Combination

Students in our Preschool program have the option to participate in both the ASL and Spoken English classrooms. The amount of time each student spends in each classroom is personalized and determined by the educational team based on individual needs and progress.

This flexible approach ensures that every child receives the right balance of ASL and spoken English instruction, supporting their unique language development journey.

Location

For more information regarding the Early Learning Program, visit Statewide Outreach Services or contact:

Trisha Danah
Email: trisha.danah@christina.k12.de.us
Videophone: (302) 266-2592