May 3, 2022 Pre-K Counts and Head Start Enrollment The Allegheny Intermediate Unit is enrolling for Pre-K Counts and Head Start programs, which provide high-quality pre-kindergarten education for children who are three to five years old and not eligible for kindergarten. About Pre-K Counts The Allegheny Intermediate Unit Pre-K Counts Program provides high quality pre-kindergarten classroom education for children. Eligibility Preference given to children eligible for kindergarten the following school year Households that meet income guidelines (up to 300% of the federal poverty level) Call 412-394-5863 for more information, classroom locations, or to enroll. Head Start The Head Start program provides eligible preschool children with high quality, comprehensive, in-home or classroom programming designed to support school readiness skills. The program offers services that include health and wellness, education, social services, and family engagement. Eligibility Households currently receiving TANF cash, SSI, are homeless, or a foster parent for children ages 3-5 Households that meet income guidelines (up to 100% of the federal poverty level) Call 412-394-4594 for more information and classroom locations or complete the online pre-application form. Find Other Pre-K Counts and Head Start Programs Families can find Head Start program in their community through the Head Start Provider Locator and Pre-K Counts programs on the COMPASS website. For assistance from the ELRC Region 5, call 412.350.3577 or email elrc5@alleghenycounty.us.
March 6, 2018 Kindergarten Transition The transition to kindergarten marks a critical point in the lives of children and families. Students who are ready for kindergarten and attend the first day of school are more likely to read on grade-level by third grade, regularly attend school, make friends, and are less likely to drop out of high school. Early and on-time registration allows schools and districts to plan for classroom materials, resources, and staff as they prepare to welcome a new group of students. It also enables families to establish relationships with teachers and administrators that are so important for easing the stress and anxiety of children (and their families) as they begin elementary school. Register for Kindergarten Kindergarten Registration Information for the 2023-24 School Year: Allegheny County Kindergarten Registration Information for the 2023-24 School Year: Westmoreland, Fayette, Armstrong, Greene, and Butler counties Top 10 Kindergarten Readiness Skills Hi5! collaborated with a group of pre-k and kindergarten teachers to develop a list of academic, social, emotional, and physical skills for children entering kindergarten based on the PA Early Learning Standards. A list of more than 30 skills was sent to educators in school districts, child care programs, and Head Start programs throughout the region—including Allegheny, Butler, Fayette, Greene, and Westmoreland counties. View the checklist (Spanish version PDF). About Hi5! Partnership Hi5! Kindergarten transition efforts are led in partnership with the Allegheny Intermediate Unit 3 (AIU3), Trying Together, and United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania (who generously fund the project). We have a leadership team that consists of community and state partners, principals, Head Start administrators, and early learning program directors. The Hi5! Partnership focuses on engaging all 43 public school districts in Allegheny County and supports each district to: develop and implement their own kindergarten transition plans; build awareness with families that when “your child reaches five years of age, it’s time to register” them for kindergarten; network and share best practices between pre-k teachers, kindergarten teachers, early childhood program directors, and school administrators; and gather community resources throughout the county. These efforts align with the Every Student Succeeds Act, the new federal law passed in 2015 which required states to have a plan that includes thinking about the transition to kindergarten and how districts connect with early learning programs. For more information about the project, transition teams, and activities, please email hi5@tryingtogether.org, or view the Hi5! overview (PDF) and Kindergarten Transition Whitepaper (PDF). Newsletter If you would like to receive the Hi5! Kindergarten Transition newsletter, visit our sign up page! Previous Issues 2020 December July 2019 December October June March 2018 December September June February
