About
Access to high-quality preschool
We, the American Falls Preschool Collaborative, want to ensure the best opportunities are available to your preschool children, right here in our community. Goals for the American Falls Preschool Initiative are:
1) Provide high-quality preschool options for students in American Falls
2) Increase the number of available preschool seats at existing partner preschools
3) Provide scholarships to help preschool be an available option for all families
We are working through a Preschool the Idaho Way grant provided by Idaho Association for the Education of Young Children.
"As the focus on early childhood education (ECE) grows, with its quality and availability being precursors to a child’s trajectory in life, Idaho Association for the Education of Young Children is committed to expanding access to high-quality, ECE opportunities throughout Idaho. With the Preschool the Idaho Way project, we are able to invest in communities to develop, enhance or expand quality ECE programs utilizing the community collaborative model."
A high-quality early childhood education program provides a safe environment to support a childʼs intellectual, social and emotional development, while meeting the needs of the parent by providing affordable and accessible programs.
Preschool the Idaho Way: Goals
Goal #1
To increase access to quality, early learning opportunities for 4 and 5 year olds throughout Idaho, by building partnerships within local communities, providing technical assistance to support early learning collaborative, and offering grants for the development, enhancement or expansion of quality programs.
Goal #2
Create awareness through community outreach, actively participate in advocacy opportunities, as well as support Ready Idaho,Idaho’s Early Learning Foundation, working to create connected early childhood systems to prepare all Idaho children for a successful start in school and life.
Why Does It Matter?
“Professionally, we’ve heard from dozens of families who forgo quality care, or forgo their career, to stay home due to the high cost of care,” – Keri Stark, Director of Community Impact, United Way of North Idaho
“What we’re seeing is when providers or teachers in preschool have training in literacy, and now math skills, that those kids are able to meet kindergarten readiness skills.” – Ludee Vermaas, Get Ready to Learn Kuna!, Kuna School District
“The benefit for us in creating the opportunity to have kindergarteners ready for school. Around the country, kids are coming into school much better prepared than around here.” – Julie Mead, Director of Special Services, Caldwell School District