Special Education Services Play and social skills form a foundation for learning and helping children develop new abilities. At Kindering, a Special Educator will assess your child’s development and help to create a plan that will focus on what is important to your family. Some areas that the Special Educator and family may choose to concentrate on include: Awareness, attention, engagement Imitation Play, such as pretend play, putting together puzzles, looking at picture books Solving problems and persistence Early communication Flexibility and managing frustration Regulation/self-calming Strengthening relationships with others Sharing/trading toys Turn taking/back-and-forth interactions Special Educators use parent-coaching strategies that help identify opportunities to work on their child’s goals during daily routines. Through every day play experiences, Special Educators work with you to help create a foundation for future learning. Special Education services may occur: At home At childcare or community preschool Kindering’s Stepping Stones Preschool Program or Family Co-Op play group In the community (e.g. park, mall, play space, etc.) For more information regarding Early Support Education Services or to schedule a developmental evaluation, please call Kindering’s intake line at (425) 653-4300.

Please check our other campuses for open positions. Please check our other campuses for open positions. Comments from Staff Members "I really appreciate the flexibility of my job, both with regard to my work schedule and my preferences for job duties/areas of focus (which have changed through the years). It is very evident that Kindering management respects and values its employees." "I am impressed by how innovative Kindering is, and that money and time are devoted to trying new ways of delivering services, or learning new techniques, etc. Also, the passion and dedication (and friendliness) of the staff members makes working here satisfying and enjoyable." "Working at Kindering is better than I expected it could be. I feel so lucky that my first job is better than I could have possibly imagined!" “I found my passion again and can truly say that I love what I do. I feel valued and supported by management and co-workers, not just as an employee at Kindering but as a person, first and foremost.” “When I took a job as a Speech Therapist at Kindering, I never imagined that in less than a year I would say ‘I absolutely love my job at Kindering’… I was getting burnt out at my previous job, slowly losing my passion as a therapist… It didn’t take long after beginning my career at Kindering to realize that I am working for an amazing company.”

Keeping the Holidays Sensory-Sensitive Kindering therapists address sensory processing issues and a number of developmental challenges every day. The following material was written by Teresa Fair-Field, Kindering Occupational Therapist (OT), about dealing with sensory processing disorder (SPD) during the holiday season for children who celebrate Christmas as well as many other holidays. Also, be sure to read her original poem about SPD and the holidays – Taming the Grinch in your House – by scrolling down or clicking here. Be sensory-sensitive If your child is accustomed to strong smells such as cooking, candles, perfumes, and incense as part of your daily routine then you may not need to make any adjustments. However, many families have holiday rituals and activities that are unique to this time of year that may be overwhelming for the sensitive child who may not be used to them or find them as pleasant. Depending on your family, you may choose to switch to unscented products, or to ask visiting guests to limit perfumes and fragrances. Alternatively, it may be easier for your child to have a gradual immersion to holiday sights and smells. Rather than putting up decorations and fragrances all at once, consider making gradual changes to the child’s environment, and include them in the process. Children who are sensitive respond better when they are actively participating in a sensory experience. Sensory ‘surprises’ are almost never well received. Don’t expect a performance Often we expect our child to do something or show off a new skill for others, and we are always excited to brag about our child’s accomplishments, having worked so hard on them through the year! Most children resist ‘performing,’ even if it is a skill they know well. If [...]