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City of Seattle
Gregory J. Nickels, Mayor
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NEWS ADVISORY
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| SUBJECT: Mayor launches Seattle Step Ahead preschool program
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
10/20/2005 11:30:00 AM |
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Alex Fryer (206) 684-8358
David Takami (206) 684-0253
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Mayor launches Seattle Step Ahead preschool program
Effort will help 280 4-year olds in southwest and southeast Seattle
SEATTLE - Mayor Greg Nickels launched a free preschool program today for 4-year-olds
from low- to moderate-income families in southeast and southwest Seattle.
Seattle Step Ahead is the first major new program of the Early Learning Network,
the City of Seattle’s comprehensive approach to helping children get
ready to succeed in kindergarten and beyond.
The program is paid for by the Families and Education Levy, which Seattle
voters overwhelmingly passed last fall. The levy funds after-school programs,
school-based health centers, support for students at risk of dropping out of
school, family involvement initiatives and preschools.
“We must make sure all Seattle preschool children enter kindergarten
ready to learn,” Nickels said as he unveiled the program’s new
name and logo. “Seattle Step Ahead Preschools will make a difference
in the lives of hundreds of families and help us close the achievement gap
in our schools.”
Seattle Public Schools Superintendent Raj Manhas and dozens of other educators
attended and participated in this morning’s program at Tiny Tots’ Step
Ahead Preschool at Wing Luke Elementary, and children from the Jose Marti Step
Ahead Preschool performed.
“Scientific research confirms what parents have known forever: that
the earliest years of a child’s life are critical to developing the skills
and the love for learning that lead to academic success,” said Patricia
McInturff, director of the Seattle Human Services Department. “We hope
every family living in southeast or southwest Seattle who doesn’t already
have their 4-year old enrolled in preschool will consider applying for this
program.”
Space is still available in the six Step Ahead preschools that have already
opened. Three more schools will open in January. In all, free early childhood
education will be provided to 280 4-year olds from low-income families in southwest
and southeast Seattle this school year. Eventually, 700 4-year-olds will benefit
annually from the program.
To be eligible for the new preschool program, families must live in Seattle
and their child must have turned 4 by August 31, 2005. The program serves low-income
families that earn too much money to be eligible for the federally-funded Head
Start and the state-funded ECEAP programs. For instance, a family of four earning
up to $21,285 annually is eligible for Head Start or ECEAP, while a family
of four earning $21,286 to $58,056 is eligible for the new program.
The new preschool program is one of the largest investments of the seven-year
Families and Education Levy. The City of Seattle and the Seattle Public Schools
will work together to assess the children’s progress and report program
outcomes to the community. Other programs in the Seattle Early Learning Network
offer family home visits, early childhood teacher training and compensation,
and help for families in selecting and enrolling their children in kindergarten.
Overall, the new levy will invest $116.8 million over seven years in Seattle
children by supporting programs for early learning, family involvement in schools,
after-school activities, student health, and helping youth at risk of dropping
out of school. About $26 million of that total will support early learning
programs for children living in southeast and southwest Seattle.
For more information about Step Ahead - locations, eligibility and applications
- call 206-386-1050.
Visit the mayor’s web site at www.seattle.gov/mayor. Get the mayor’s
inside view on initiatives to promote transportation, public safety, economic
opportunity and healthy communities by signing up for The Nickels Newsletter
at www.seattle.gov/mayor/newsletter_signup.htm
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Office of the Mayor
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