55% of three- and four-year-olds in Flagstaff are not currently attending any preschool
Why
How
Elevate PreK is launching pilot classrooms that will help fill the gap for children needing high-quality early learning.
The pilot classrooms are designed to prioritize families with a four-year-old (by September 1st) within the 101-250% of the federal poverty level who are currently not accessing any preschool services, as well as underrepresented or underserved populations.
Elevate PreK Pilot Classroom Components
Elevate PreK Pilot classrooms are enrolling for the following location:
Elevate PreK @Kinsey Elementary- school begins August 2021
Pilot classes are designed to close the gap in early childhood services.
You may qualify for enrollment in an Elevate PreK Pilot classroom or another high quality early learning program!
To apply for the pilot classrooms:
Complete the Elevate PreK Resource Finder on the Family Access page. The Elevate Family Partner will contact you to provide information about what early learning services you may qualify for. Pilot classrooms prioritize families based on the following criteria:
· Tier 1: Preference will be given to families that fall within 101-250% Federal Poverty Level (FPL) and are not currently accessing preschool or child care services within a center licensed by DHS. Particular attention will be paid to other barriers such as lack of documentation for enrolling in other existing programs, transportation or meals services, or family circumstances that deem necessary for support. Four spaces will be saved for children with special needs that have a lack of services through July 15th.
· Tier 2: Families in any income bracket that are not accessing preschool or child care services.
· Tier 3: Families that are within the FPL but are currently accessing preschool or child care services. Families will need to provide a statement as to why they are looking to access the pilot classroom.
· Tier 4: Families that do not fall within the FPL that are currently accessing preschool or child care services who wish to access the pilot classroom will be added to a waitlist.
Families on this list will be provided entry on a first-come, first-serve basis and will be notified by July 15th if they have a seat available for the school year.
Only 26% of preschool programs in Flagstaff are considered high-quality programs.
Research shows that high-quality early learning experiences are what make the difference for children long-term. Flagstaff has several measures of what denotes a high-quality early learning program:
Head Start
Head Start programs are required to meet the national Head Start Program Performance standards that strengthen and improve the quality of the programs. The program utilizes a comprehensive approach in meeting the needs of enrolled children and provides them the opportunity to begin their school experience on equal footing with their more socially advantaged peers.
Quality First
Quality First is Arizona’s Quality Rating and Improvement System that programs can voluntarily participate in to improve the quality of care they provide. To measure progress in quality improvement, each program participating in Quality First is assessed and given a Quality First Star Rating, ranging from 1 to 5 stars. Star Ratings are based on what research shows are the key components of quality early care and education.
Accreditation
Accreditation is a voluntary process that schools choose to go through to demonstrate meeting performance standards aligned with well-known quality practices. The most common accreditations in Flagstaff are through The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and the National Accreditation Commission (NAC).
You can learn more about what to look for in a high quality child care setting, and how to check if your current setting is quality. Meet with our Elevate Family Partner to receive more information, or complete our Resource Finder. Visit our Families page to learn more.
