BELLFLOWER – Eager parents are showing keen interest in Bellflower Unified’s expanded, family-focused preschool program, with dozens lining up around the District’s Early Childhood Education office just to get the registration packets needed to enroll their children for the 2017-18 school year.

Bellflower Unified’s highly popular preschool program provides children who turn 3 or 4 by Sept. 1 with age-appropriate activities to develop social, emotional, physical and cognitive abilities while focusing on kindergarten readiness.

The District can enroll 312 students for California State Preschool, dual-immersion and fee-based services. The preschool program runs in three-hour sessons, five days per week. Families can choose between morning and afternoon sessions.

The District changed from the federal Head Start Program to the state preschool program starting in the 2016-17 school year, allowing the addition of afternoon sessions at each of the six campuses that host programs, expanded enrollment capacity and customized curriculum that aligns with TK/K-12 instruction.

Under the new program, the District was also able to double the maximum family income for cost-free services to about $53,000 for a family of four. Fee-based services are $325 a month.

Completed registration forms, along with required financial, residence and health documents, will be accepted for state preschool, including state preschool dual immersion, up to Tuesday, May 30. Applications for fee-based preschool, including the fee-based dual-immersion spaces, are due by Friday, May 26.

“It’s exciting to see how many parents value the opportunities provided by Bellflower Unified’s preschool program,” Superintendent Dr. Brian Jacobs said. “Our early childhood learning programs provide a strong foundation for a lifetime of educational pursuits.”

For more information, call Early Childhood Education Program Director Cristina Blevins at 562-461-2227.

PHOTOS

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: Ivan (right) and Cynthia Avilan (center) with their son, Devon, pick up a registration packet for Bellflower Unified’s highly popular preschool program on May 1, the first day they became available. They are hoping to enroll Devon in dual-immersion preschool.

BUSD_Preschool_2: Bellflower Unified parents line up around the District’s Early Childhood Education office to receive preschool registration packets to enroll their children for the 2017-18 school year. Packets are due May 26 or after May 30, depending on the program.