LANCASTER- New options have opened up for Lancaster parents looking to give their children a good educational foundation. Lancaster School District’s Early Childhood Education (ECE) program’s preschool is now accepting applications and is open to many families that do not qualify to attend Head Start.
In an effort to encourage childhood literacy, every family that applies to the Lancaster program will receive a free children’s book.
“One of the main differences is that we are not a federally funded Head Start program,” explains Stephanie Lester, the director of ECE at Lancaster School District. “We have highly qualified teachers that offer language and literacy, math, and science curriculum in a discovery based learning atmosphere.”
Because of the funding differences, Lancaster’s ECE is open to many more families. For example, to qualify for Head Start a family of four needs to have an income less than $1962.50 a month. That same family of four could make up to $3908 a month and still qualify for Lancaster’s ECE program, though the family would be responsible for a modest daily attendance fee.
The preschool program is open to children who will be four on or before September 1st. It is offered in both an 8 to 11 a.m. morning session and a 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. afternoon session at campuses around Lancaster, and is open to families living in the 93534, 93535, and 93536 zip codes.
Dr. Michele Bowers, Superintendant of Lancaster School District is proud of the program. “Our Early Childhood Education program gives more of our district families affordable preschool options,” said Bowers. “But not by sacrificing any measure of quality. The focus on Science, Technology, and Math is the same focus that many of our elementary and middle school programs carry, helping us raise the leaders of tomorrow.”
More information on how to apply, the program’s eligibility requirements and program fees can be found on Lancaster School District’s website at www.lancsd.org or by calling 661-726-4356 ext 1.
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SoccerMom says
My daughter is a product of the Head Start program in the early 90’s. She is a UC Berkeley graduate now and living in Seattle working and pursuing her Master’s Degree.
To all you young families, anything to instill a good education foundation to your children is important for their future success. Take every opportunity available to you as parents.