by Helina Bailey
As the school years winds down and we approach summer, it’s time to start thinking ahead. If you have a child who will turn four by August 15, they could qualify for a Pre-K program in Union County. Although income eligible students are prioritized, anyone is welcome to apply.
Currently, there are five Pre-K sites in Union County, serving over one hundred four-year-olds in the program this year.
The program is well funded, so all students receive free breakfast, lunch and a snack. In addition to meals, all school supplies will be provided by the program to eliminate out-of-pocket expense for parents.
Transportation is also provided for students in the program.
Furthermore, all students who are eligible may receive the same services offered to the K-12 students, which includes speech therapy, occupational therapy and counseling.
Why should you send your child to Pre-K? There are many benefits to Pre-K, with research showing long term effects. According to their website, this program offers “research-based curriculum and practices [led by] certified teachers.
All Pre-K teachers are highly qualified, licensed teachers with endorsements in Early Childhood Education and/or Special Education.”
Another reason to send your child to Pre-K is to help prepare for school. Pre-K provides a “smooth transition to kindergarten.” Students who attend Union County Pre-K “will get to know his/her kindergarten teacher, special area teachers, and integrate into school routines before kindergarten even starts!” They are also more likely to have “higher scores than (their) peers who do not attend a Pre-K program.”
When I reached out to Erica Berry, a Pre-K teacher at Sharps Chapel Elementary for some more information on the program, she explained to me that, “All of our teachers are highly qualified and certified in CPR, First Aid, and AED. Each classroom also has an assistant. We work on fostering positive climates in our classrooms to support our students’ social and emotional wellbeing, and directly benefit academic achievement.
“Kindergarten teachers agree that students who attend a Pre-K program have easier transitions into kindergarten and are well prepared to learn the curriculum content.”
As a parent of a local kindergarten student who attended Pre-K at his school, I can attest to this. I was worried that my little one would not transition into full days of school without his nap time, but he took to it immediately and was excited for his first day.
He already knew the school, where his new classroom was, and who his teachers were. On that first day of school as I tried to get pictures and hold in my tears, he jumped out of the car with his big brother and walked in like he owned the place. Pre-K was great for my family.
For more information on the Pre-K program visit the website at sites.google.com/view/ucpsprek/home. To register your child, click on online registration. For assistance in registering, call your nearest elementary school.
Each of the five elementary schools in the Union County Public School System have a Pre-K program.