Free pre-kindergarten program open for enrollment in Monroe County
BY PRU SOWERS
KONK LIFE STAFF WRITER
School may have started but it’s not too late to enroll kids age four in a free pre-kindergarten program offered in Monroe County.
The goal of the Early Learning Coalition of Miami-Dade/Monroe organization is to enroll 100 percent of the approximately 700 children age four currently living in Monroe County. The free program provides learning programs three hours a day for the entire school year. Kids age five may also be eligible for the program if their parents haven’t enrolled them in kindergarten.
Jackye Russell, senior vice president of communications at the Early Learning Coalition, said parents can enroll their kids anytime during the school year at one of the 24 licensed schools from Mile Marker 0 to 105.5. The children should be four years old before Sept. 1, 2018.
Over 500 children have already signed up for the program this year in Monroe County. Begun in 2005 and funded by the state, the program teaches words, numbers and socialization.
“It’s designed to prepare kids to be ready to learn when they start kindergarten,” Russell said. “It’s heavy on academics but it’s also heavy on play. Kids that age need to play.”
Heather Carruthers, Monroe County Commissioner, is a board member on the Early Learning Coalition and enrolled her daughter, Clare, in the program when she was four years old. Now age six, Clare reads to her mothers because of the “leg up” she received in the pre-kindergarten program.
““Monroe can ‘jump start’ and lead the state in early learning and kindergarten readiness,” said Carruthers. “We know that pre-kindergarten gives children the skills and confidence they need. Since it’s free, there is no reason not to do it.”
The voluntary pre-kindergarten program was approved by Florida legislators in 2002 and the first classes started in the Fall of 2005. Each class is led by a teacher trained in child development for this age group.
For more information or to enroll your child, call 305-296-5557. The Early Learning Coalition has offices in Key Largo, Marathon and Key West. Parents can also visit one of the 24 schools. Some schools fill up quickly so parents should act quickly to secure their preferred school, Russell said.
So far this year, 501 certificates of enrollment have been issued. Russell estimated there are approximately 700 children living in Monroe County who are eligible for enrollment.
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