RESERVE — Parents will get a chance to visit childcare centers that are part of the Early Childhood Network in St. John the Baptist Parish during open houses that begin next week.

The Early Childhood Network is a statewide effort to unify childcare programs under the Louisiana Department of Education. Locally, the network is led by the St. John the Baptist Parish Public School District, which oversees curriculum, teacher observations, assessments and other resources at the participating facilities.

The goal is to provide children from infant to prekindergarten with a solid early childhood education so they enter kindergarten with the skills needed to be successful.

Patricia Triche, director of early childhood for the School District, said development during these ages means a lot.

“We want to give our kids the best education they can get,” she said. “We want to make sure the community is involved and knows what resources are available to them.”

During the open houses, parents can tour the facilities, meet the staff and learn about financial aid opportunities.

Information about the state’s Child Care Assistance Program, which helps low-income families pay for childcare, is available at louisianabelieves.com.

Parents can fill out a single application for all of the childcare centers by visiting the St. John Child Development Center in Garyville.

“Parents can visit the centers and see where they want their child to go, and individual childcare centers can tell them what they have available,” Triche said. “We want to get as many children enrolled in early childcare as possible.”

Parents of children ages infant to 4 years old are invited to a series of open houses at the  network partners: