Early Start provides preschool services to children 3 to 5 years old who have, or are suspected of having, a disability.  Services include screening, assessment, and therapies.

Staff offers developmental screenings to children whose parents are concerned about possible delays in cognition, speech, language, motor, hearing, or socialization skills.

Children whose screening indicates a possible delay in development are referred for additional evaluations.  Hickory Public Schools’ teachers and therapists conduct the evaluations.  Outcomes of these assessments determine a child’s eligibility for special education services.

Early Start serves eligible children at home, in preschool classrooms, in daycares, and through itinerant services in a variety of settings.

No fee is charged for services.