Early childhood program up for discussion

The West Aurora School District will hold a forum to discuss the future of its early childhood education program next week.

Michelle Shabaker, the new director of early childhood at Todd Early Childhood Education Center, wants to solicit information on changes, additions or cancellations of programs, district spokesman Mike Chapin said.

"We're basically looking at what we're doing, if we could do better and what better means," he said.

The meeting will be from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Todd, 100 Oak Ave. in Aurora.

The district now runs a preschool program for 380 students who have been identified as special education or at-risk students at Todd.

It also runs the Parents, Infants and Toddlers program, which advises new parents on child care.

The need for that program is far beyond the 80 families it now has in the program, and is especially needed for young, first-time parents, Chapin said.

Participants will also get a tour of the Todd building.