Carlisle Sentinel: Campaign aims to get every child in preschool
“As the “Pre-K for PA” campaign continues, the advocates plan to release reports and surveys that convey the state’s pre-kindergarten needs and propose solutions for meeting them. The campaign will suggest various financing models, for instance, and releasing a report at the end of February detailing availability gaps in preschool programs statewide.
Kevin Thomas, executive director of the Kiwanis International Pennsylvania District, noted his group has the most difficulty getting young children into preschool in Pennsylvania’s rural areas.
Pennsylvania already offers subsidized preschool for some children who come from low-income households or have special needs, with the state’s Pre-K Counts program serving 11,380 children in 62 counties in 2011-12. Less than 50,000 children enrolled in publicly funded pre-kindergarten in 2011-12, representing about 16.5 percent of Pennsylvania’s 3- and 4-year-olds, state data shows.”
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Delaware County Moms: PreK for PA initiative
“Did you send your child to PreK?
Are you planning on sending your child to PreK?
Is there space in the PreK for your child?
Why do you care to send you child to PreK?
Many parents have an innate understanding of the value of a quality learning experience for their inherently curious 3 or 4 year old.
The 3-4 yr old child can ask more questions in a day than a giraffe has spots. Yes, I know how many spots a giraffe has. Well, at least this one giraffe at the zoo that a 3 yr old I know stared at and counted in the hot summer sun.
Instead of rushing through to see all the animals this child’s learning was centered around this animal. We discussed colors, numbers, habitats, friends (according to this 3yr old giraffes and zebras are natural friends because they both wear “designs” everyday. But she wasn’t so sure about the peacock and the giraffe. She would have to explain that one.)
This is what 3 and 4 year olds do. They inquire, they look, they wonder, they learn. So long as they are in an environment that encourages their natural learning – which is what high quality pre-k programs do.
Pre K for PA is a new statewide initiative launched today to with the vision of every 3-4 yr old in Pennsylvania having access to quality pre-k programs.”
Somerset Daily American: Coalition calls for more pre-K funding
“Children in lead teacher Tessa Scherer’s Head Start class at Eagle View Elementary School in Somerset were learning
about balls on Thursday.
They were painting small balls they had made, mixing chocolate for candy balls,playing with a toy wrecking ball, floating balloons in water and building with magnetic balls.”
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CBS Philly: Area Leaders Urge Universal Pre-Kindergarten For Pennsylvania Kids
“Area business and civic leaders gathered today to endorse a new initiative to promote pre-school education for every child in Pennsylvania.
The statewide program is dubbed “Pre-K for PA: All Children Ready To Succeed.”
Jill Michal, president and CEO of the United Way of Greater Philadelphia and New Jersey, says high-quality pre-school programs are now available for less than 20 percent of three- and four-year-olds in Pennsylvania.”
Read the full story here.
Lancaster Online: New coalition will push for pre-K in PA governor’s race
“The 2014 race for governor is prompting a new coalition of advocates to push for high-quality pre-kindergarten for all Pennsylvania children.
Pre-kindergarten funding in Pennsylvania currently helps fewer than 20 percent of 3- and 4-year-olds, according to the Pennsylvania Head Start Association.
“We’re going to be pushing the candidates to make really big commitments to pre-K,” said Blair Hyatt, PHSA’s executive director.”
Read the full story here.
