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Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: [August 28, 2007]

ARDSLEY DAY CARE RECEIVES PENNSYLVANIA PRE-K COUNTS GRANTS SERVING 3 AND 4 YEAR OLDS IN 2007-2008

[ARDSLEY] On Friday, August 10, Governor Rendell announced the grantees for the $75 million of grants for Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts, a high quality pre-kindergarten program targeted to children at risk of school failure.

“My education strategy has been to target resources to programs that have been proven to increase student achievement, and early childhood education is a crucial part of that strategy,” Governor Rendell said of the money that will help more than 140 entities. “Providing children with a solid educational foundation in their earliest years will help them reach their full potential in high school, college and beyond.”

Five early learning programs in Montgomery County have received funding to enroll 3 and 4 year olds in high quality pre-kindergarten.

“We are so excited to be able to open our doors to more children who can really benefit from a quality early education experience. We know there are many children in our community who are not receiving quality pre-kindergarten now, and this Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts grant will make it possible for us to provide 20 of these children with quality pre-kindergarten. Having worked in early education for 24 years, I’ve seen the difference quality early education can make to a child’s performance and outlook on life. With our Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts grant, we can afford to give these children a high quality experience. More information about our Center can be found on our website, www.DayCareCentersInc.com.”

Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts is designed for children who are at risk of school failure, either because of income (300% of the federal poverty level, or a family of four earning $61,950), language (English is not your first language), cultural or special needs issues. If your child falls into one of these categories, you may be eligible to apply. Ardsley Day Care Center has spots still available for 3 and 4 year olds. The 2007-2008 school year starts September 4, 2007. We will accept applications for this program until the allotted spaces are filled or until November 2, 2007. For information on how to enroll, contact Connie Morak at 215-572-0862 x202.

“Our mission is to provide Pennsylvania’s children with an education that prepares them for life,” Education Secretary Gerald L. Zahorchak said. “Making investments in early childhood education is one of the wisest and most rewarding ways we can accomplish this goal.”

Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts requires its grantees to provide a qualified teacher and teacher’s aide, small class sizes, a curriculum that is aligned with the Pennsylvania Early Learning standards, regular assessment of the children’s progress and reporting of the program’s performance. These quality expectations will ensure that the children enrolled have a high quality early learning experience.

For a complete list of Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts grantees, visit the Pennsylvania Early Learning Keys to Quality website at www.pakeys.org or the Pennsylvania Department of Education website at www.pde.state.pa.us and click on “Pre K-12,” “Early Childhood,” and “Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts.”

Subsidized Care

Montgomery County Child Care Information Services
www.montcopa.org/ccis
800-281-1116

CCIS of Bucks County
215- 348-1283

Montgomery County Office of Children and Youth
www.montcopa.org

Montgomery County Parent and Infant Directory
www.montcopa.org/hhsapps/pihdir.htm

Early Intervention

MARC – ARC of Montgomery County
610-265-4700

Montgomery County Intermediate Unit (Ages 3 – 5)
610-539-8550

Health Insurance Programs

Keystone Mercy Health Plan
1-800-521-6860

Caring Foundation
CHIP – Children’s Health Insurance Program
1-800-986-5437

Adult Basic Insurance
1-800-462-2742