Special education is defined as specially designed instruction, to meet the unique needs of children with  delays and/or disabilities.

Special education and related services for pre-school age students is referred to as early childhood special education (ECSE).

The Ferguson-Florissant Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) program provides services to children 3-5 years old, who qualify for special education services in the following areas:

Communication development (speech and language)

Cognitive development

Physical development

Social or emotional development

Adaptive development

The program goals, curriculum and materials are developmentally appropriate and geared to the differing ability levels of each child.  

Ferguson-Florissant early childhood special education professionals and related services personnel provide specialized educational services to children with disabilities in a variety of settings such as early childhood, preschool, child care, Head Start and other early childhood settings to meet the developmental learning needs of these children.

Early Childhood Special Education settings are located in the district's PreK-2 buildings with half-day (morning or afternoon) classes, Monday through Thursday. 

Parents of children who are three to five years old or approaching age three who suspect their child may have a developmental delay or disabling condition that may affect them educationally, can contact Ferguson Florissant Early Childhood Special Education program at (314)824-2073 to request a referral for evaluation to determine eligibility for special education services.

ECSE services are supported by federal funding under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) as well as state general revenue funds. ​ There is no cost to parents for special education services identified in a child's Individualized Education Program (IEP).

For more information about Early Childhood Special Education please contact our office at (314)824-2073

 or email Kelsey Busby at kbusby@fergflor.org