Essay
Early childhood programs modified
Kindergarten is the start of a child's learning program. Once a child reaches age five, they can go to kindergarten. Prekindergarten is the school year in which four-year-old children are preparing for kindergarten. Prekindergarten is important because it helps get kids ready to interact with their peers educationally and physically. Childservices.org states that it will teach them, “how to follow a daily schedule, how to perform self-help tasks such as tying on shoes, handwashing and other things that children will need to be able to do in kindergarten.”
For a family to receive an early learning scholarship they must meet one of many requirements. Being under the age of twenty-one with a high school diploma qualifies for a scholarship. According to the Minnesota Department of Education, “Early Learning Scholarships can help you pay for high-quality child care and early education to support your child's educational journey.” Then once they receive the scholarship they have to keep receiving it until they are eligible for kindergarten. They aren’t eligible for more than one scholarship in a
twelve-month period.
Children regardless of their family's income have access to early learning opportunities and programs. It’s important to fund prekindergarten programs because most of society benefits from publicly funded programs. State Education Standard says that “Children from low-income families face many social and economic disadvantages, and high-quality preschool can help to alleviate some of them.”
Schools have to apply for approval to run a free prekindergarten program for eligible children. The approval process happens every four years. They need to apply by January 30th of the year they’d like to start. They need details about the program, how many hours a week it will run, how many kids will be able to join the program, and applications that are ranked based on how many kids are eligible for free or reduced-price meals
Hernandez, Kristen. “Why is Pre-K Important?” Child Care Services Association. 13 January 2022. Web. 26 October 2024.
“Early Learning Scholarships” Minnesota Department of Education. Web. 26 October 2024.
Blau, David. “An Economic Perspective on Preschool for All” State Education Standard. May 2024. Web. 26 October 2024.