Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Outgoing Board Members Honored


Alexander County Partnership for Children recently held their annual meeting. Outgoing board members honored were Kay Hamby from Alexander County Department of Social Services and ACPC secretary along with Deborah Ferguson from Alexander County Head Start and ACPC treasurer. ACPC is an Alexander County nonprofit organization whose mission is to ensure that Alexander County children enter school healthy and ready to succeed. Funding for ACPC is provided by Smart Start, NCPK, United Way, and private donations. The partnership serves children birth to five, their families, and child care facilities.

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

More at Four Now NCPK


During the recent North Carolina General Assembly session the Division of Child Development and Early Education was designated as the lead agency for North Carolina’s prekindergarten program (formerly known as More at Four). The program was renamed NC Prekindergarten Program (NCPK) with changes being effective July 1, 2011.

Pre-kindergarten is a research-proven strategy for school readiness. Parents can have the greatest impact on a child’s school readiness as the first and most consistent teacher in a child’s life. Children will make the most progress when parents are involved.

The NCPK continues to be a high quality prekindergarten program with high program standards, teacher education standards, and local administration and eligibility determination. In Alexander County the Alexander County Partnership will continue to administer the program now known as NCPK. Alexander County currently has 105 NCPK slots, housed in both private child care centers and Alexander Head Start.

Applications for the NCPK Program are now available. NCPK is designed to provide quality educational experiences in order to enhance kindergarten readiness for four-year-olds. The program is community-based, voluntary and designed to prepare four-year-olds in North Carolina for success in school.

For families who have submitted an application to the More at Four program that application is now being considered for eligibility in the NCPK program. A new application is not necessary.

If you child turns 4 by August 31, 2011 he or she may be eligible for the program. If you have concerns about your child’s development he or she may be eligible for the program. For more information, or to get an application, e-mail Susan Cogdill at susan@alexanderchildren.org or call 632-3799, extension 12. Applications are available at Alexander County Partnership for Children, 1565 NC Highway 90 West, Taylorsville and the website www.alexanderchildren.org.

Sandy's Day Care and Read 100


Children from Sandy’s Day Care Home who participated in READ 100 include Evie Teague whose guardian is Arlie Mast, Ava and Laina Keith, daughter of Jennifer and Ron Keith sitting with Sandy Herman, owner operator of Sandy’s Day Care Home. Not pictured Julio Sosa, grandson of Trinidad and Deborah Corales.

All God's Children FCCH and Read 100


Children from All God’s Children who participated in READ 100 include Meredith Wike, daughter of Brooke and Fred Wike; Samantha Snyder, daughter of Traci and Dennis Snyder; Leah Cronan, daughter of Liz and Scott Cronan; Caden Cox, son of Lindsay and Derek Cox; Mrs. Sheri Hamrick, owner and operator of All God’s Children Child Care Home, who is holding Layla Geiger, daughter of Tara and Robert Geiger. Not pictured: Katelyn Richards, daughter of Melissa and Dustin Richards.

100 Books are Read by Children!


Family Child Care Homes in Alexander County recently participated in “READ 100” which was designed to extend the love of reading into the child’s home. This program is designed to assist children and families as they develop a love of reading. ACPC acquired books specifically for “READ 100”. Books were divided into reading collections. FCCHs checked out the collections-one collection at a time. Spanish books were also be available.

With the collection in hand each child was given a book to take home. The parent read the book to the child and signed off the child’s reading log. The book was returned to the FCCH and thus the exchange began when another book is sent home.

“READ 100” children and their families read 100 books by June 15th. Children had approximately 20+ weeks to complete the program. Children who successfully completed the program were recognized with a certificate and also received a book. FCCHs who had three or more children completing the “READ 100” program received a book collection for their FCCH.