PA Pre-K Counts Begins Enrollment for Fall 2010

Parents of eligible three- and four-year-olds are encouraged to register now

HARRISBURG, Pa., April 6 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Families interested in enrolling their children in Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts in the fall can start to apply now by contacting any center that currently provides the program, Education Secretary Gerald L. Zahorchak announced today.

"Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts provides quality early education that helps children succeed throughout their academic careers," Zahorchak said. "To ensure your child has a spot in this beneficial program, families should contact local Pre-K Counts grantees today."

Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts is a state-funded initiative that enables school districts, Head Start providers, child care centers and nursery schools to deliver high-quality pre-kindergarten to more children, with an emphasis on those who are at the greatest risk of academic failure.

Eligible children include those living in families earning up to 300 percent of the federal poverty level (such as a family of four earning $66,150), English language learners and children with special needs. Children are eligible for enrollment in the program from age three until entering kindergarten.

Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts classrooms offer high-quality certified teachers, small class sizes, curriculum aligned with the Pennsylvania Early Learning standards, regular assessment progress and performance reports. These high expectations ensure that the children receive a high-quality early learning experience.

"The children served through Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts demonstrate an immediate impact in their development, as well as longer term impacts on their academic progress, career success and overall contribution to society," Zahorchak said. "The quality program design, accountability and implementation have resulted in excellent results for children who participate in Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts programs."

Nearly every child who participated in Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts in 2008-2010 showed age-appropriate or emerging age-appropriate skills after attending the programs. School districts have also reported that children who participated in Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts entered kindergarten with age-appropriate skills, were more prepared for kindergarten than their peers and were meeting development expectations through kindergarten.  

"This progress translates into fewer children requiring expensive special education services throughout their school career, and an immediate savings to our school districts," noted Zahorchak.

In 2009-10, Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts provided high-quality pre-kindergarten to nearly 12,000 three- and four-year-olds across the state.

Parents should contact Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts grantees directly for enrollment information on how to apply. For a complete list of current Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts grantees, visit www.education.state.pa.us  and enter Pre-K Counts in the search box.

Media contact: Leah Harris, 717-783-9802

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Education