ECC Announcements & Information

News Letters and Calendar

The Sheridan Early Childhood Center is funded through the following sources

• Head Start
• Colorado Preschool/Kindergarten Program
• State and Federal Special Education Funds
• In-Kind Services, Supports, and Donations
• Various Grants as Awarded

AGE OF CHILDREN
The Sheridan Early Childhood Center provides classroom services to children three to five year of age. Children must be 3 or 4 years old by October 1.

ADMISSION AND REGISTRATION Process
All parents or guardians of children wishing to register at the Sheridan Early Childhood Center should complete a Sheridan School District application form and a Preschool application. Both forms must be turned into the Early Childhood Center along with
(Link to the Preschool Application)
(Sheridan School District Release Form)
(Home Language Survey)

• an up-to-date immunization form,
• health and dental evaluation
• original birth certificate
• proof of income
• Copy of income tax form 1040
• Copy of income tax form 1040
• Pay stubs
• Written statement form employer
• Written verification of being a recipient of public assistance

Once the applications and all documents are turned in, the program will contact applicants to begin the screening process to determine eligibility. Families will be invited to come in and meet with the enrollment team.  This meeting includes an interview between the parent or guardian with the family and/or health coordinator and a play session for the child with other children and our education team.  This process will help the enrollment team to determine if the child and family qualify for Head Start or Colorado Preschool/Kindergarten Program.  Children will be enrolled in the program based on a rating system that determines the number of risk factors for the child and family. Our selection criteria are determined by guidelines and regulations set by Head Start and the Colorado Department of Education.

Eligibility for Head Start
Priority List
Residents of the Sheridan School District

1. Low-Income – Below the Poverty Guidelines provided by Head Start annually
   a. Income verification is verified by two staff members.  Families are required to show proof of income with their application for enrollment.
2. Over-Income – Above the Poverty Guidelines provided by Head Start annually
   a. Children with diagnosed disabilities or qualifying for Special Education
   b. Older siblings participated in Head Start and are part of the Sheridan School District at the upper grades (continuity of care for family)

Out of District Resident (not residing in the Sheridan School District area)

1. Low-Income – Below the Poverty Guidelines provided by Head Start annually
   

Eligibility for the Full Day / Full Year Program is all of the above mentioned criteria plus the following criteria:

1. Both parents/guardians are working full time or going to school full time
2. A single parent / guardian is working full time or going to school full time
3. The family is in extreme crisis
4. A single parent/guardian is struggling to find work or go back to school because of the lack of child care to do a proper job search

Eligibility for Colorado Preschool / Kindergarten Program
The child must reside in a home in the Sheridan School District.  Children must be 3 years old by October 1 and have at least 3 risk factors or be 4 years old by October 1 and have at least 1 risk factor.  The risk factors are determined by the Colorado Department of Education.  The following is a list of the risk factors:

• Qualifies for Free or Reduced Lunch
• Child/family’s primary language is not English
• Family is Homeless
• A parent is incarcerated
• The parent/guardian did not graduate from High School
• Child abuse or neglect in the family
• Domestic violence in the family
• Medical issues (health concerns) for the child
• Behavioral Concerns (poor social/emotional skills) for the child
• Premature
• Alcohol or drug abuse in the family
• Teen parents

Eligibility for Colorado Special Education / Part B services

• Family resides in a home in the Sheridan School District
• The child qualifies for Special Education Services as determined by the “Child Find” process

Selection for Head Start and Colorado Preschool / Kindergarten Project

• Selection criteria have been determined by the needs of the community
• Criteria is determined by the following sources
• Income Verification - two staff members (director and administrative assistant) verify income and then the Director signs off on verifying the income
• Application Documentation
• Interviews with the parent/guardian
• Pre-screening (30 minute play session) for the child

September 2007 News Letter

2007-2008 Calendar