Hi Ladies,
Is there such a thing as a public school pre-k program? I hope that makes sense. I am looking at some church pre-k programs and we are tight on money like most of us are. My husband seems to think that public schools provide pre-k programs for free. I happen to disagree. Could someone please tell me if he is right or wrong? Thanks in advance!!!
My Best
M.
pre-k programs in the school district's are usually reserved for children with special needs of some type. Some districts do offer programs based on income but not many. You would need to contact your school district's early education center or central office to find out.
There are a few school districts that have a "pre-k" program that include children who do not have special needs. They are however not full-time usually only about 6 hrs a week or so. Call the school district or look on their websites it should have info.
There is for three year olds an early childhood program. You have to take her in for testing and if she needs any help on anything they will take her in. It is free and they bus the children there four times a week for half a day. That's here in Blue Springs but yes I think all school districts have it you just need to call them and find out all the details.
There is a free program if your child qualifies because of slow development or some other issue but that won't help you if your daughter is on track with where she should be. There is also a preschool program for ages 3-5 set up as part of the early childhood development class for high school students in a lot of areas. I know they do it in Independence and Raytown. In Raytown, it is 3 days a week for a couple of hours a day. It starts in October but you generally need to register in August. The program then runs until December so it is about 8 weeks I think. It is not free but very inexpensive. I think it is $60-70 for the semister. It is not a daycare program but a true pre-school so that the kids can get used to a classroom setting. I have known lots of people who have taken their kids to it and they love it.
Keep in mind too that even if your school district does offer it for kids w/o special needs, these programs fill up VERY quickly and enrollment sometimes starts before the end of the previous school year.
The testing is with the Parent's as Teachers program and yes it is based on the needs of the child, but this doesn't always mean that something has to be wrong with your child. My very bright son thought it was silly to be playing catch with a lady he didn't know so he didn't try to catch the ball! So of course in their testing he tested low in gross motor skills (he was taking gymnastics at the time and was very good at these skills), they will also take children who need better coping skills with other children or in a school setting. This is all based on how many children they can handle and whether there is a child that needs the space more than your child.
These are not full time care, so you M. need someone to be able to take them and pick them up.
some school districts do provide Pre-K programs for free the year before they start Kindergarten. You need to call your school district and ask them. I know Harrisonville, Belton, and Ray-Pec have Pre-K in their school districts. It is usually 2-3 days a week for 3 or 4 hours.
The Pre-K in our district are for all kids one year before they start Kindergarten, not just the kids with special needs or low income. The kids with special needs get to start at age 3 and go 5 days a week and some go all day depending on their needs.
