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Does the program make accommodations for children who
are allergic to certain foods or need to follow special
diets?
Yes. Parents are required to complete a Request for
Special Dietary Needs Accommodations form and/or Fluid
Milk Substitution Request form. Please request forms
from your child's teacher. Completed forms should be
returned to the teacher, and reviewed by nutrition
staff, then appropriate substitutions and accommodations
are made, as needed.
What if my child or family member has a nutrition
concern such as: underweight, overweight, picky-eating
or more?
BHK staff provide research based nutrition support and
strategies that are specific to each child's
developmental stage and family need. Teachers and
Health/Nutrition Staff will monitor health and nutrition
assessments and provide ongoing feedback to parents. At
any time, parents are encouraged to discuss nutrition
concerns with their child's teacher. BHK Nutrition
Coordinator and Contracted Dietician are able to provide
additional nutrition support when requested.
Does my child have to be toilet-trained to attend
preschool?
No. Children do not need to be toilet-trained to attend
preschool at BHK. The age in which a child is trained
varies for all children and as such, BHK staff are
willing to assist parents in the process.
Children learn by example and it is amazing how children
can get excited about using the toilet when they see
other children interested in using the bathroom.
Sometimes, having your child see what his/her new
friends are doing is a more relaxing way for him/her to
gain this important skill.
Try sending your child dressed in pants with elastic
waists that are easy to pull up and down. Make sure to
pack two changes of clothes and a waterproof bag.
How many hours does my child spend in class each week?
Most BHK preschool classrooms operate 7 hours a day
(8:30 am- 3:30 pm), 4 days a week (Monday through
Thursday).
Infant-toddler classrooms operate 7.5 hours a day,
typically 8:30 am- 4:00 pm.
How can I tell when my child is well enough to go to
school and when they should just stay at home?
Never send a child to school who has a fever, is
nauseated or vomiting. Children with mouth sores with
drooling, unexplained rashes with fever or behavior
changes, or communicable diseases should see a
physician. Children that don't seem to be acting
'themselves', lose their appetite, are clingy or
lethargic, or complain of pain, should stay at home.
Before sending your child to school ask yourself, "Can
my child still participate comfortably in all
activities, including outdoor play?"
Please notify the BHK classroom if your child is out due
to illness.
How do I know if my child would qualify for free
infant-toddler care or preschool?
BHK operates a federally funded Early Head Start program
for children under the age of three and Head Start for
children 3-5 years old. If your family meets the
eligibility guidelines below, your child can attend at
no cost.
Eligibility Criteria:
Family Size & Income
Head Start may provide services to families: (1) with a
family income at or below the Federal poverty
guidelines; (2) who are receiving certain forms of
public assistance; (3) who are applying on behalf of a
foster child; (4) who are currently homeless.
The current 2022 poverty guidelines for Head Start are:
1 person- $13,590
2 persons- $18,310
3 persons-
$23,030
4 persons- $27,750
5 persons- $32,470
6
persons- $37,190
7 persons- $41,910
8 persons-
$46,630
For families with more than 8 persons, add $4,720 for
each additional person.
Automatic Eligibility
If any of the following circumstances apply, you may be
automatically income eligible for Head Start programs.
• If your family is currently receiving TANF benefits
• If your family
is currently receiving Supplemental Security Income
•
If you are providing a child with foster care
•
If your family is currently homeless (living in shelter,
motel, car, or living with another family due to
economic hardship)
•
If your child is cared for by family (kinship care or
guardianship)
Special Circumstances
If you would like to be considered for Head Start even
though you may not otherwise qualify, please call us and
describe the special challenges and circumstances of
your family.
2022 Income Eligibility Guidelines for state-funded
preschool for four-year-olds - Great Start Readiness
Program (GSRP) are:
1 person- $33,975
2 persons- $45,775
3 persons-
$57,575
4 persons- $69,375
5 persons- $81,175
6
persons- $92,975
7 persons- $104,775
8 persons-
$116,575
For families with more than 8 persons, add $11,800 for
each additional person.
Families with household
incomes less than the annual amounts listed above
qualify as income eligible for GSRP and may participate
at no cost.
How do I know if my child is developing normally?
Every child is different, and so is every parent's
experience. Children reach developmental milestones at
different ages. A developmental screening can determine
whether your child is within the typical range. Contact
your child's physician for a screening/evaluation.
Children enrolled in BHK programs receive ongoing
developmental assessments, with the results shared with
parents.
To find milestones organized by period of development
and to learn new ways of supporting your child's growth
and development visit:
www.healthychildren.org
www.zerotothree.org
www.cdc.gov/ncbdd/actearly/milestones
My child's dad and I have shared custody in which our
child lives with her dad and then me for 2 weeks. Can
she attend BHK?
Yes. BHK staff works closely with families in providing
a consistent routine for children. Both parents and
staff can provide each other with unique insight and
different perspectives about your child, offering a more
complete understanding of her abilities, strengths, and
challenges. A home-school connection and ongoing
communication is strongly encouraged.
In addition, BHK provides family support services to
assist with unique family dynamics and circumstances.
Can my preschool student attend the Great Explorations
(GE) program?
The Great Explorations programs are intended to meet the
needs of school-age children. Students must be attending
Kindergarten in order to attend the GE school year and
summer program.
Do I need to income-qualify for the Great Explorations
program?
No. Great Explorations programming is open to all
students enrolled in the host school. The 21st CCLC
grant funded sites, however, are required to give
priority to those that meet a variety of risk factors,
such as low-income households. In select cases, cost of
attendance may vary based on student lunch status.
Is there a waiting list for Great Explorations sites?
Great Explorations program enrollment varies by time of
year and site. Registrations are accepted on a continual
basis. Families are encouraged to submit paperwork
before the school year or summer session begins.
Occasionally sites reach their capacity. Site
coordinators communicate with families when a waiting
list has begun and when spots become available.
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