Re: Public Pre-school

From: Loretta Cak
Email: lorettastamps@yahoo.com
Date: February 16, 2006

Comments

Cathy,

Again, I will draw from what I know about the GA Pre-K program.

Centers must apply to Bright From the Start to have a classroom. There is a criteria that must be met in order for a classroom to be awarded. Mostly, it is a space or local needs issue. If a center has enough classroom space and there is a need for more Pre-K slots in the area, then a classroom is awarded.

Classrooms CANNOT be housed in churches. It goes back to the separation of church and state. In fact, if an evaluator walks into a center and there is a bulletin board with any religious persuasion up (even if it is in another classroom and the Pre-K kids never see it), the funding for that classroom is at risk.

Classrooms in public schools are also applied for. Each school, must again, have the space for a classroom. This is tricky, since the local school systems tend to be crowded. They could add on, but they don't get funding for that. So, usually it is leftover space.

When a new classroom is awarded, that classroom received $8,000 to set itself up. While it isn't enough to do absolutely everything that is necessary, it is a great start. And, since most start-up classrooms were already existing 4 year old classrooms, that $8,000 can be used to buy really high quality toys/equipment.

Each year, classrooms are required to spend AT LEAST $1,200 on supplies.

Loretta :)