Pittsburgh Public Schools Early Childhood Program Brings Quality to Preschool Education

Educational Program Serviceschild and prepare special courses of instruction or
All Pittsburgh Schools Early Childhood Programstreatment for those children who require special
cover five days a week, for at least six hours aattention.
day. The goal of the program is to ensure thatChildren in the Pittsburgh Schools Early Childhood
preschool children develop the skills that they willProgram receive two meals every day. A
need for attending kindergarten, including selfnutritionist helps prepare the meals as well as help
confidence, physical abilities, increased academicparents design meal programs that suit the needs
awareness, and social interaction.of their preschool students. Special services are
This free program is open to children betweenalso provided for students with disabilities involving
three and five years old. Pittsburgh School Headdiagnosis, therapy, consultation, referral, and follow
Start Programs accept children between threeup treatment. A minimum of 10% of the children
and five, while the Pre - Kindergarten acceptsparticipating in the Pittsburgh Schools Early
children who are three and four years old. ChildrenChildhood Program must be children with
must be at least three years old by Septemberdisabilities. Staff and parental counseling is provided
1st of the current school year.to ensure that these children can participate in the
Health Program Servicesprogram.
Children participating in the Pittsburgh Schools EarlyChildcare Partnerships
Childhood Program have access to a variety ofMany working parents can take advantage of
health services to evaluate their health needs andsubsidies for childcare for children that are eligible
identify problems early on. All students enteringfor the Head Start program. Pittsburgh Schools
the program must provide complete medicalhave developed partnership agreements with a
records, including immunizations. Follow up care onnumber of child care and early learning agencies
the health condition of the child is provided.throughout the city. These programs provide
The Pittsburgh Schools Early Childhood Programlearning opportunities for children that are similar
recognizes the need for mental and psychologicalto the school based programs in the Pittsburgh
assistance to preschool children in order toPublic Schools Early Childhood Program. These
develop the emotional and social skills necessarychildcare providers have been screened by
for attending school and being successful in school.Pittsburgh Public Schools and been provided with
Parent and mental health professionals workcurriculum, materials, and training to match the
together to recognize the special needs of eachschool based programs.