The journey of learning begins the day your child is born. The early years before formal schooling provides a time of tremendous growth and change and a time to develop the foundations for success in school.

New research projects have firmly established that pre-school education can produce substantial gains in childrens learning and development including achievement on test scores. The research also finds that there are fewer occurrences in retention and placements in special education programs.

The families of Edgewood School District have the opportunity for services through a variety of Early Childhood Programs including the following:

Birth Age 3 Service Opportunities:

THE HELP ME GROW program, one of Ohio's Families and Children's First Initiatives offers many services to families prenatal to age 3. HELP ME GROW is there to help families that may have concerns about their childs development, or concerns of a developmental delay or disability. This program offers a free developmental screening and the coordination of a free developmental evaluation when appropriate.

Age 3-5 Service Opportunities:

Head Start Program:

HEAD START is an income based Federally funded program for pre-school children and families. This program is housed at the Trenton Mennonite Church, 2 East Main Street, Trenton, Ohio, and is coordinated through a partnership with the Butler County Educational Service Center and Head Start Agency.

The HEAD START Program serves children, ages 3 to 5 in (3 _ hour) half-day sessions. The comprehensive services include a focus on education, nutrition, health, parent involvement and pre-school disability services.

To be eligible:            *        Child must be 3-5 year of age
                                        *        Meet specific income guidelines

For more information on this no-cost pre-school program contact:
        Trenton HEAD START
        (513) 988-6288 or (513) 887-5524

Edgewood Pre-School Disability Services:

Edgewood's Early Childhood Services include a program for pre-school children with disabilities as well as typical developing children for ages 3-5. This program is a 4-day per week program that meets for either an AM session or a PM session.

Schedule:
AM 8:40 - 11:10
PM 12:40 - 3:10

The services for children with disabilities are provided through an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) in an inclusionary model classroom with typically developing children.

The Pre-School Program offers 3 morning sessions and 3 afternoon sessions with restrictions on the number allowed in each session. The current tuition for the 2007-2008 school year is $120.00 per month, payable for 9 months.

Eligibility:
You must be a resident of Edgewood City School District

For More information regarding disabilities services contact:
        Mrs Martha Lombard, Director of Special Services
        (513) 867-7572

Edgewood Pre-Kindergarten Program:

Edgewood City Schools offer a tuition base Pre-Kindergarten Program for children 4 years of age. This program is located in the Bloomfield Elementary building, 300 N. Miami Street, Trenton, Ohio, but serves the entire school district.

This program provides the opportunity for children that are 4 years of age to participate in developmentally appropriate activities based on Ohios Pre-Kindergarten expectations.

Limited Enrollment Opportunities:

The Pre-Kindergarten Program offers 2 morning sessions and 2 afternoon sessions  serving no more than 78 students. The current tuition for 2007-08 is $150.00 per month, payable for 9 months.

Schedule:
AM Session                  8:30 - 11:10
PM Session                 12:40 - 3:10

Eligibility:
You must be a resident of Edgewood City School District.

Age Criteria:        
Children must be 4 years of age by August 1 of program entry year and planning to enter kindergarten the following year.
        Note:         Those children that will be 5 years of age by August 1st, should plan to register for kindergarten.

Program Focus:
To provide the opportunity for 4 year old children to participate in developmentally appropriate learning experiences based on Ohio's new Pre-Kindergarten Academic Content Standards and Indicators.

Program Goal:
To develop a foundation in early Reading, Writing, Language, and Mathematics.

PRE-KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION FOR NEXT YEAR:

Pre-Kindergarten Registration for the 2008-09 school year will be scheduled during the Spring of 2008. Please check back in March for the exact dates.

PLEASE CLICK ON THE LINK:
Preparing for Kindergarten Success: A Guide for Families

KINDERGARTEN PROGRAM:

The Edgewood City School District Kindergarten Program is housed at the Bloomfield Elementary Building, but serves the entire school district, for all children that meet the kindergarten age requirements of 5 years of age by August 1st of the program year and are a resident of the Edgewood City School District.

Building Readers
February 2006

For Further Information Contact: Bloomfield Elementary (513) 988-6385

Dixie G. Davis                        Steve Miller                    Denise Griffin
Early Childhood Consultant        Principal                    Assistant Principal
Extension: 4134                        Extension: 4127            Extension: 4126