Increased funds allow for 2 new pre-k programs

Kelcy Dolan
Posted 7/10/14

The state’s Pre-Kindergarten Program is expanding services to two new sites, Child Inc. at 160 Draper Ave, Warwick and the Comprehensive Community Action Program (CCAP) in Cranston at 848 Atwood …

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Increased funds allow for 2 new pre-k programs

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The state’s Pre-Kindergarten Program is expanding services to two new sites, Child Inc. at 160 Draper Ave, Warwick and the Comprehensive Community Action Program (CCAP) in Cranston at 848 Atwood St., it was announced last week.

In an effort to better the quality of education children receive before kindergarten, the state increased the early education budget by $1 million, boosting it to $2.95 million for the 2015 fiscal year.

Deborah A. Gist, commissioner of elementary and secondary education, said, “The quality of education that children receive from ages 3 to 5 is a huge factor in how well those children perform in elementary school and beyond.”

The Rhode Island Pre-Kindergarten Program started six years ago to give children a jump-start on their education.

“I’m very pleased that we have developed our Rhode Island Pre-kindergarten Program over the past six years and that, once again, we will be able to expand the program this fall to serve even more Rhode Island families,” Gist said.

All together, with 18 children at each of the 17 sites, the program will service 306 students, choosing students by lottery.

Lynda Dickinson from Child Inc. said that studies from across the country show children enrolled in a pre-k program are not only more prepared for kindergarten, but also do better in their early elementary years.

“We have a comprehensive curriculum that works to improve a child’s social, emotional, physical, and cognition skills. They will be continually assessed and the program will grow more individualized so that the children can make gains in every facet and be 100 percent ready for kindergarten,” she said.

The program runs similar to the public school system, six hours a day, for 180 days from September to June providing lunch and breakfast. The program is free to parents selected through the lottery. However, if additional care is needed before or after the regular class hours, Child Inc. offers those services for varying prices.

Besides Child Inc., the other sites in Warwick include Imagine Preschool at the CCRI Warwick Campus and the Westbay Community Action Children’s Center at 22 Astral St.

Robert Bushell, director of elementary education for Warwick, said that pre-k programs are becoming more necessary as the kindergarten curriculum continues to expand. He said that, looking to the future, after the establishment of full-day kindergarten throughout the city, the next initiative would be to open full-day pre-k courses in all the public schools.

Bushell said, “We are competing globally. There is a higher expectation for kids across the board. If we want to be successful globally, our students need an earlier running start to education.”

Parents are working longer hours or more jobs in the wake of the recession and may not have the opportunity to prepare their children for kindergarten. Pre-k programs, beyond academically preparing students for school, also help children with social skills needed in a classroom.

Bushell said, “Pre-k helps kids become accustomed to a classroom setting, how to act in a learning community rather than an individual setting. It is not as much of an adjustment for them going into kindergarten. These programs are so valuable to their education.”

Children must be 4 years old by Sept. 1 to participate in the program and reside in the community of one of the 17 sites. Children for the program are chosen by a lottery. Applications are being accepted until Aug. 6. Completed applications should be returned to the program of choice. Upon enrollment, a copy of the child’s birth certificate, proof of residency and family income verification will be required.

For more information, as well as for an application, visit www.ride.gov.

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