Survey for Voluntary 4 Year Old Preschool
by John Brazell
February 26, 2010
Surveys for the four year old voluntary preschool grant are available. The surveys have or will be sent home will all kindergarten and 1st grade students in both districts. They will also be provided for all parents who have students with any of the day care providers in the area. We want all parents of young children to complete the survey as well and anyone else who is interested in programs for young children.
If you want to fill out a survey and have not received one you may access the survey by selecting the link below or by contacting either Anita or C & M Elementary.
History
The Anita and C & M school districts are jointly applying for the Four Year Old Preschool Grant. The grant provides first year start up funds for a preschool program. After the first year the funding formula becomes part of the regular state aid process for schools.
If awarded the preschool grant will provide free preschool to all 4 year old children in both districts. We are working with all day cares in the area. The preschool program is to provide a minimum of 10 hours per week of high quality preschool for the students. Parents will continue to have the option of having their child attend the day care of their choice when the students are not in the preschool program. We are also working with Head Start to provide additional support services as needed.
The purpose of Iowa's Statewide Voluntary Preschool Program for Four-Year-Old Children is to provide an opportunity for all young children in the State of Iowa to enter school ready to learn by expanding voluntary access to quality preschool curricula for all four-year-old children. The allocation of funds for the Statewide Voluntary Preschool Program is intended to improve access to quality early childhood education and provide a predictable, equitable and sustainable funding method to increase the number of children participating in quality programs. Therefore, the four-year-old preschool funds should increase the number of children participating in quality programs. The statewide program was established May 10, 2007 when Governor Chet Culver signed HF 877.
