Lewis-Clark Early Childhood Program

Program  Descriptions
 (To enroll your child or for income guidelines)

A federal grant program directed by the Administration for Children, Youth, and Families (Department of Health and Human Services). Initiated as a summer pilot project in 1965, it now serves 3 and 4 year-old children through a nationwide preschool network.

A complementary extension of the original Head Start effort that concentrates on expectant parents and families with newborn to 3 year-old children with related parent support and learning activities.

Pre-school for low-income and at-risk children in Washington State. The target ECEAP population is 3 and 4 year-old children and their families whose family incomes are at or below 110 percent of the federal poverty level.

In our area of services, LCECP offers the following options:

Center-Based Model – In this option the children attend at least four days per week for a minimum of 3½ hours per day. During this time, the teaching staff seeks to provide an environment of exploration, discovery and experimentation while utilizing the Creative Curriculum.

Combination Model – In this option the children attend class 2-3 days per week for 3 ½ hours per day.

Home-Based Model – This option utilizes bimonthly socialization with one home visit per week. The Home Visitor assists the parents in the use of the home as the child’s primary learning environment. Parents and the home visitor work together to provide learning opportunities, thus enhancing the child’s growth and development.

Full Day/Full Year – In this option children attend 5 days a week and at least 6 hours a day.  A family must be eligible for Washington and Idaho state childcare subsidy in order to participate in this program.  During this time, the teaching staff seeks to provide an environment of exploration and experimentation while utilizing the Creative Curriculum.

The group socialization activities that take place in each of these options, give children an opportunity to learn social skills while participating in age appropriate activities with other children. Parents, an integral part of the team, actively participate in these activities.

The importance of social skills are also recognized and addressed. 2^nd Step, an anti-violence curriculum for the Head Start program, is employed to teach problem solving, empathy and about the child’s own feelings.

Parents are recognized as the primary educator of their child. Parents work with the staff in planning curriculum during a minimum of 2 conferences and 3 home visits as well as during volunteer time in the classroom.