Learn your free and universal preschool options
Published 12:11 am Saturday, July 22, 2017
RESERVE — St. John parents and guardians are invited to turn out next week for an informative breakdown of the many potential free and universal preschool options available to young and growing families.
Louisiana is in a multi-year effort to unify its early childhood system and improve kindergarten readiness, which includes unifying preschool, Head Start and childcare programs into a statewide early childhood network.
The St. John the Baptist Parish Public School District is the lead agency coordinating efforts between childcare and the public school system in order to provide a high quality preschool education for local families.
The St. John the Baptist Parish Community Network will host an enrollment day for all childcare centers for the 2017-18 school year from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 29 in the Media Center behind the St. John School Board Office, 118 W. 10th St. in Reserve.
Childcare centers that operate under Louisiana Department of Education and St. Parish Community Network guidance are Children of God, Garden of Eden, Kids of Distinction, Little Leaders, Terence Day Care and Wells Wallace.
The school sites with preschool classes are Fifth Ward Elementary, Lake Pontchartrain Elementary, Emily C. Watkins Elementary, St. John Child Development Center and West St. John Elementary.
There are several ways that families can be eligible for tuition-free programs in St. John childcare centers, as well as at the public school sites.
The following charts depict eligibility in various programs offered in our parish, and the income limits for specific programs. Universal classes have no limit on income.
Universal applications for all programs can be found online at stjohn.k12.la.us or at any school site.
In order to determine eligibility for any program, fill out an application and turn it in at the St. John Child Development Center, School Board Office or any school site.
Head Start, LA4, NSECD and PreK Expansion eligibility allows students to go to school tuition free.
Head Start and PreK Expansion are programs providing comprehensive services to allow for optimum growth and development of children.
Universal classrooms have no income limitations.
Schools participating in this unified system have high academic and development standards, as well as teacher preparation expectations. There are still slots available in all programs.
If you need further information, please call the St. John Child Development Center at 985-535-3917.