100 Spots Open In Indy for New State Preschool Program

In a pre-kindergarten class at Early Learning Indiana’s Ruth A. Lilly Center on Central Avenue, a group of four-year-olds crawl around on a carpet and maneuver wooden blocks into imaginary beds. Taking turns, cooperating and building things are some of the skills children learn at this and other facilities with certified education curriculums.

Monday Dec. 15 is the the deadline for low-income families to apply for vouchers to attend these type of all-day classes for free as part of the state’s new $10 million On My Way Pre-K -- a pre-kindergarten pilot program passed by state lawmakers this year.

By this fall, the state expects to have 2,000 children enrolled in Marion County and four other counties taking part in the pilot program. But for now, only around 100 spots are available in Marion County for January’s limited roll out of On My Way Pre-K.

Marsha Hearn Lindsey, vice president of Early Learning Indiana, says children who attend these high-quality preschools will learn the skills needed to succeed in Kindergarten and beyond.

“I think just being ready to socialize with other children is very important and that is what this pre-K year gives you. It gives you the skills to work with other children to learn how to take care of yourself and to follow a schedule, and to sit still for a moment," Lindsey said. "Along with learning your name and numbers and your colors -- which are that are oh so important -- but the social/emotional skills of being in a group of children and being with a caring provider go a long way to prepare children for success in school and in life.”

But right now there just aren’t enough slots available for all 2,000 children expected to enroll this fall. Facilities who take part in the program must meet certain criteria, including a ranking of 3 or 4 on the state’s voluntary Paths To Quality rating system.

Marni Lemons, spokeswoman for the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration, says more day cares, schools, churches and other facilities will need to increase their standards and offer more educational programming for the pilot program to meet its goal or chose to become registered with the program.

“In order to have an adequate number of slots available for the On My Way Pre-K program we have known for sometime that we were going to need to expand the slots available," Lemons said. "So far though the work that has been happening around the state in the five counties has been very successful and we feel very positive there will be adequate slots available for those children.”

Pre-K funding and programming is at the forefront of local, state and national conversations. This week President Obama announced $750 million of early education grants for three states. Earlier this month Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard won approval for his $40 million early childhood education program aimed at low-income families.

Lindsey, the vice president of Early Learning Indiana, hopes that free preschool will become part of Indiana’s educational fabric.

“I would like to see us as a city, as a state to really value this as part of our educational system," Lindsay said.

Families who want to apply for “On My Wake Pre-K” by Monday must meet certain requirements, such as qualifying for low-income assistance and have a child who will turn 5 by August 1. A lottery will be held Wednesday if there are more applicants than open slots.

Appliactions and more information is available at www.onmywayprek.org.