4K Inclusion Program

About the Program

The Meyer Center for Special Children is excited to launch a NEW 4K Inclusion Classroom for the 2026–27 school year! The 4K Inclusion Program is a tuition-based early childhood option offered by the Meyer Center for Special Children. The program operates under the Center’s established DSS childcare license and adheres to all state health and safety regulations. During its inaugural year, the program is funded entirely through private tuition.

This nurturing, high-quality early learning experience is designed for typically developing 4-year-olds and is uniquely integrated with our 4K and 5K students with disabilities — creating a rich, inclusive classroom where all children learn and grow together.

Through this shared learning model, all students develop foundational cognitive, social-emotional, and academic skills essential for school readiness.

Space is limited to 12 typically developing students.
Siblings of current Meyer Center families receive priority enrollment. We encourage families to apply early: 4K Inclusion Program Enrollment Application – Fill out form

ENROLLMENT

How to Apply

  1. Complete registration form: 4K Inclusion Program Enrollment Application – Fill out form.

  2. Submit the required documents through the secure link that is emailed to you after submission.

    • Birth certificate

    • One proof of South Carolina residency

    • South Carolina Certificate of Immunization (school-ready certificate preferred)

Enrollment

The 4K Inclusion classroom serves a minimum of 10 students, maximum of 12.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and accepted as space allows. If the number of qualified applicants exceeds available seats, enrollment priority will be given in the following order:

  1. Meyer Center staff families (up to 20% of total enrollment)

  2. Siblings of currently enrolled Meyer Center students

  3. General public applicants

Eligibility Requirements

  • Must be a resident of South Carolina

  • Must be four (4) years of age by September 1 of the applying school year

  • Designed for typically developing children who do not require special education services at the time of enrollment

Tuition & Commitment

  • A non-refundable enrollment deposit of $50 is required to secure placement

  • Annual tuition is $7920 per year and can be paid in one of the following ways:

    • $220 per week for 36 weeks (regardless of partial days) while school is in session (see academic calendar), or

    • $792 monthly for 10 months (August – May)

  • Families commit to regular attendance for the full academic year

  • A 30-day written notice is required for withdrawal. Tuition remains due during the notice period.

Schedule

  • Parent Orientation: July

  • Open House & Meet the Teacher: Week of August 3

  • First Day of School: Monday, August 10

  • Program follows the Meyer Center school calendar (180 instructional days over 10 months)

  • Students attend Monday–Friday

  • Daily hours: 7:30am – 2:00pm (6.5 hours/day)

Program Information

Program Highlights

  • Tuition-based program (no financial assistance available during the first year)

  • School day schedule from 7:30am – 2:00pm

  • Limited enrollment — minimum of 10 students, maximum of 12.

  • 1:10 adult-to-student ratio.

  • When more than 11 students are enrolled in the 4K inclusion classroom, the class will be staffed with (1) lead teacher and (1) teaching assistant

  • Evidence-based curriculum aligned with South Carolina Early Learning Standards

  • Strong emphasis on building foundational school readiness skills

  • Integrated academic and social learning blocks where typically developing students and students with disabilities learn together.

The Benefits of an Inclusion Model

  • At the Meyer Center, inclusion means creating an environment where children with and without disabilities learn, grow, and thrive together.

    We believe the “work” of a child is play. Children are naturally curious and motivated to learn, and play provides the foundation for cognitive, language, and social development. This unique model allows all children to build awareness, independence, empathy, cooperation, emotional regulation, and school readiness through:

    • Shared play experiences

    • Peer modeling

    • Structured collaboration

    • Meaningful participation for every child

    • Enrichment and play-based learning

    Inclusion is not simply physical proximity—it is intentional engagement and meaningful growth for every learner.