EEP offers quality preschool programs in a variety of Lane County settings. We encourage children with and without special needs to attend. Classrooms are located in Santa Clara, Bethel and Westmoreland areas, and in Springfield, Creswell, Veneta and Junction City. Each classroom has between 10 - 14 children, teacher-child ratios of better than one to five and specially trained, dedicated and nurturing teachers. EEP's curriculum, with its unique focus on language, motor, and social skills, allows all of the children to learn new concepts, play together and feel good about themselves. Classroom activities offer a combination of teacher direction, child choice, and fun. Children with special needs may receive speech, physical and occupational therapy based on their needs, and transportation to the classroom.

The Early Education Program (EEP) was born in 1981 when a private nonprofit corporation called ADI (short for the Association for Direct Instruction) won a contract with Lane County to provide classrooms for preschoolers with special needs. ADI, originally organized to hold workshops and publish educational materials, decided to add another component, a preschool, and that was the beginning of EEP. We were a part of ADI until June, 1991. At that time, the staff at EEP and the Board of ADI decided that it was time we did it on our own. In July, 1991 we became EEP, Inc.with our very own Board of Directors and contract. We are a private, nonprofit, tax-exempt organization.

EEP's program for children with developmental delays is free. Funds for these children come primarily form the State and are funneled through a coordinating agency, EC Cares. Additional money comes from the tuition we charge families with typically developing children. Fundraising is still required to make ends meet. EEP has grown and changed over the years. In 1981, we had approximately 30 children and 6 staff involved in the program. This year we expect over 250 children with and without delays and have 50+ staff on the payroll.