The Children’s Council of Watauga County is currently collaborating with Watauga County Schools and Appalachian State University to provide 5 high-quality, pre-kindergarten classrooms this year. Together we value the importance of early childhood education and promote developmentally appropriate practices. An abundant amount of research shows by investing in high-quality pre-kindergarten education children, schools and communities reap multiple benefits.
Our pre-kindergarten classrooms are funded through North Carolina’s Pre-Kindergarten Program. Each of the classrooms has 18 children with a lead and assistant teacher. Our classrooms are located at Valle Crucis, Green Valley, Cove Creek, Hardin Park and Parkway Elementary Schools.
The Children’s Council is presently the NC Pre-Kindergarten contractor for Watauga County. As the contractor, The Children’s Council oversees the application process, placement of children, and monitors the classrooms and program. The NC Pre-K Program is designed to provide high-quality educational experiences to enhance school readiness for eligible four-year-old children. The NC Pre-K Program Requirements are built on the National Education Goals Panel’s premise that to be successful academically in school, children need to be prepared in all five of the developmental domains that are critical to children’s overall well-being and success in reading and math as they enter school.
Currently all classrooms are at full capacity however applications may still be submitted. New applicants will be put on a waiting list. Children on the waiting list could be selected if a child drops out of the program or if new slots become available. Applications for the NC Pre-K program for the 2015-16 school year will be available April 1, 2015 at The Children’s Council and on our website. To be eligible: A child must be four-years old on or before August 31st of the program year. A child that meets the age requirement is eligible for NC Pre-K if the child is from a family whose gross income is at or below 75% of the State Median Income (SMI). Children of certain military families are also eligible without regard to income. In addition, up to 20% of age eligible children enrolled may have family incomes in excess of 75% SMI if they have documented risk factors in specific categories including developmental disability, Limited English Proficiency, educational need, or chronic health condition. Although a child may meet one or more eligibility factors, placement is not guaranteed in an NC Pre-K classroom. Typically a waiting list exists due to insufficient funding to serve all eligible children.
Application assistance will be provided at the following locations from 9 am until 10 am:
- April 8 – Valle Crucis Elementary School
- April 15 – Hardin Park Elementary School
- April 22 – Parkway Elementary School
- April 25 – Margaret Gragg Education Center
- April 29 – Cove Creek Elementary School
- May 6 – Green Valley Elementary School
Application assistance will also be available at The Children’s Council of Watauga County’s office located at 225 Birch Street, Boone NC 28607. For questions and more information, please contact Hunter Varipapa, the NC Pre-Kindergarten Coordinator at (828) 262-5424.
Aplicaciones de Pre-Kinder están disponibles en español. Si esta interesada en llenar una aplicación y necesita asistencia, llame para hacer una cita con Hellem en el Children’s Council 828-262-5424. Puede recoger las aplicaciones en nuestra oficina, Boone Pediatrics, o en el Watauga Gragg Education Center. Todas aplicaciones deben ser enviadas a nuestra oficina 225 Birch St. Boone NC 28607.
