Enrollment for Pilot Pre-K Now Taking Place

Enrollment in the “On My Way Pre-K” state early childhood pilot is continuing in Vanderburgh County. Enrollment for the state-funded pilot program began in December and several positions have been filled in EVSC classrooms – but seats still remain.

Classes in the EVSC Pre-K are now in session, so it is urgent that any families who would like their child to still take part in these free classes take action now, before February, to help better prepare their child for kindergarten in the fall.

EVSC’s Pre-K programs are accredited by the Paths to Quality designation.  EVSC is accepting students who will be entering kindergarten in Fall 2015 – as well as enrolling students for next fall who are 4, who will be ready for kindergarten in Fall 2016.

There is currently funding for 22 more positions in Vanderburgh County for students who are four, who will be five and ready to enter kindergarten in August 2015.  To qualify for the “On My Way Pre-K” pilot program, family income must be 127% of the federal poverty level (earning about $30,000 for a family of four). To participate in the free program, families need to apply to enroll their children through 4C of Southern Indiana, Inc., 600 SE 6^th Street, and select one of the pilot sites in which to attend.

“The EVSC has invested in early childhood for over 25 years.  We were the leaders in the state with full day kindergarten,” said Cathlin Gray, associate superintendent for Family, School, and Community Partnerships.   “We have a team of highly experienced early childhood educators and support staff.  This team is being led by our Director of Early Childhood, Terry Green.  Gray explained that EVSC offers a five-hour-a-day program during the school year, which began this week.

Openings are available at a variety of locations for students who choose EVSC through this pilot.  Classrooms exist at the  Culver Family Learning Center, Evans Elementary, Daniel Wertz Elementary, and Dexter Elementary, Green said.

“Early childhood education lays the groundwork for success later in school, by successfully preparing students to enter kindergarten on time and ready to learn.”  Green said EVSC focuses on active learning – making learning fun for students, allowing them to explore and providing them new experiences with which to build knowledge.
Currently, the EVSC has fee and non-fee based Pre-K classrooms at Culver Family Learning Center, Daniel Wertz Elementary, Dexter Elementary, Scott Elementary, Cedar Hall Community School, Evans Elementary and Bosse High School.

For additional information about the enrollment process go to www.child-care.org and click on Community Programs to learn more about “On My Way Pre-K” or call 4C at 812-423-4008.