If you have a child who is already attending preschool or one that is scheduled to start later this year, the free Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program could save you thousands of dollars. The state-sponsored program aims to prepare 4-year-olds for kindergarten by helping them develop vital learning and social skills.
If your child was born between Sept. 2, 2006, and Sept. 1, 2008, you can enroll this year at one of a wide selection of public and private programs in the area. Registration started Feb. 1 for the summer and fall sessions.
There are two programs offered annually, and your child can only attend one. The school-year program begins in August and includes 540 hours of instructional time. The summer program offers 300 instructional hours and can start as early as May 1.
The application process requires all parents to have a face-to-face visit with a Family Central parent counselor to determine eligibility for the program. The main Family Central office is located at 3111 S. Dixie Hwy., in West Palm Beach. However, there are a couple of local off-site registration opportunities:
Save yourself time by filling out the VPK application before heading to one of the above locations. Visit the Family Central website to download the application. You will also need to provide proof of Florida residency and an original copy of your child’s birth certificate with your application.
Once your child is approved for the program, you will receive a voucher and a list of participating providers. There is a wide selection of public schools, private centers, and faith-based programs that meet the VPK quality standards.
Family Central has identified these VPK providers in our area (click on pink center names to visit their websites):
Boca Raton
Delray Beach
Boynton Beach
MORE ON PRESCHOOLS
Read more about other local preschool programs – and how to find the right fit for your family in the BocaParent Preschool Guide.
Can you recommend any of these programs? Share your advice in the comments.
- MERCEDES COPPIN
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If you’re staying in town for the holidays and need to find something for the kids to do, or need child care while you work, there are some great camps offered during the break, from basketball to gymnastics to drama.
Many of the programs also offer some flexibility, whether you need them for the whole break, or just a day or two.
Here are some ideas:
Boca Hoops: The recreational basketball league’s Holiday Mini Camp has two sessions for girls and boys age 7-15: Dec. 27-30 and Jan. 3-6. Both run 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Olympic Heights Community High School, 20101 Lyons Rd. Call 561-395-7372, ext. 106. City of Boca Raton: Recreational camp for kids in kindergarten through fifth grade at the Boca Raton Community Center, 150 Crawfod Blvd. Offered Dec. 23; Dec. 26-30; Jan. 2-6; and Jan. 9. $30 a day per child for residents; $43 for non-residents. Call 561-393-7888 to register.
Tennis: Junior Winter Camp for ages 3-16 is offered at two locations.
YMCA: Its Winter Break Camp at the Peter Blum Family Center, 6631 Palmetto Cir. S., runs Dec. 20-23 and Dec. 27-30. Members $140 for four days or $40 a day; for non-members, $240 for four days or $70 a day.
Rising Stars: Gymnastics Holiday Camp, 1088 S. Rogers Cir., runs Dec.23 and Dec. 26-30; Jan. 2-6 and Jan. 9. Rates for all 12 days: 1/2 day, $300; 3/4 day, $340; full day, $380. Weekly rates: 1/2 day, $130; 3/4 day, $145; full day, $165. Daily rates: 1/2 day, $27; 3/4 day, $33; full day, $38. Museum of Discovery & Science: Winter break camp for kids 6-12 at the museum, 401 SW Second St. in Fort Lauderdale, includes an IMAX movie.
Twisters: Gymnastics Winter Holiday Camp, 3100 NW Boca Raton Blvd, #308, runs Dec. 23 and Dec. 26-30. Winter-themed gymnastics fun, games, movies and arts & crafts. Daily rates: 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., $47; 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m., $67; 8:30 a.m. – 6 p.m., $77. Weekly rates: 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., $187; 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m., $267; 8:30 a.m. – 6 p.m., $297.
Showtime: Campers at this performing arts program will learn songs, scenes and choreography from Footloose. Dec. 26-Jan. 6, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Extended day 8 a.m.-6 p.m. available. Performance on Jan. 6. 561-394-2626. Showtime is at 503 SE Mizner Blvd., Suite 73, Royal Palm Place. www.showtimeboca.com.
If you have other ideas, post in the comments.
How can we take what we know about how children learn from birth to age 5 – the most important years for brain development – and make the most of it?
The Karen Slattery Educational Research Center for Child Development is immersed in that question.
It’s in the decoration of the nursery – painted a soothing light green, with toys and mirrors to stimulate, but not overstimulate. It’s in the family photos that adorn every classroom, to make students feel at home and secure. It’s in the herb garden planted by 2-year-olds as a science project, in the objects the 3-year-olds hung from the ceiling to study anti-gravity and the rocket they made from boxes.
“When you don’t put a limit on a child’s creativity, they absorb more,” says Slattery Director Lydia Bartram.
The Slattery center is a private lab school affiliated with Florida Atlantic University’s college of education, offering all-day preschool for ages 3 months-5 years. Slattery mainly serves the children of students and employees of FAU. Some outsiders can get in, but there is a long wait list.
Still, the work going on there will benefit so many other children, as it helps conduct research on how children learn and trains future teachers, as well as nurses and others who aspire to work with children.
Slattery, the only school of its kinds in Palm Beach County, takes a project approach to teaching that is hands-on and play based. Teachers are given flexibility to create projects and lessons that take into account the children’s natural interests. Slattery’s approach enhances problem solving, critical thinking and team-building.
Its curriculum takes best practices from several different philosophies. Teachers make a lot of their own materials and visual aids for the classroom. You won’t see many worksheets.
“Play is the cornerstone of how children learn about the world and develop as human beings,” said Bartram, who also teaches child development at FAU.
The school posts photos in the classrooms of kids doing their work – painting, writing, etc. When they see the photos later, Bartram says, they remember not only doing the work, but the lesson they learned. This builds their memory skills early on and makes for a stronger memory later.
Krisa Kolbe, whose 5-year-old daughter “graduated” from Slattery in the spring said, “We were very happy with the learning environment in Karen Slattery. The warmth and caring shown by the director, teachers, staff and parents made it a joy to bring her every day. We feel confident that her relationships, as well as what she learned in Karen Slattery – both academically and socially, will continue to guide her as she grows.”
Slattery teachers have bachelor’s or master’s degrees and go through frequent training to stay up on the latest research. Studies are also conducted at Slattery about how children learn.
One idea gaining ground: Kids need to play outside more.
As a society that is constantly plugged in and afraid to let our children roam unsupervised, we are losing our connection to nature. This alarms educators, as body movement – running, playing – are integral to a young child’s brain development. And we don’t know yet how much technology is affecting brain development.
Slattery already incorporates the outdoors into its lessons – kids use natural, found materials in art projects; the 2-year-olds lay down under trees and took photos of the canopy; and through gardening. But the center hopes to develop its outdoor play areas deeper into “nature education.”
OTHER DETAILS
The center boasts a 5,000-book library and offers music class, as well as Spanish – and in the summer, swim lessons.
The school goes year-round, 7:30 a.m.-5:15 p.m.
Tuition ranges from $544 a month for full-day voluntary prekindergarten to $1,024 a month for an infant or toddler.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR When looking for a preschool for your child, Bartram suggests parents consider these criteria:
Apply to Slattery online. Read more on its website.
Find loads more information on local preschools in BocaParent’s Preschool Guide.
- CHARLENE PACENTI
The winter holiday break is coming up soon. If you’re looking for places to drop off the kids (public schools are out Dec. 20-Jan. 3), here are some ideas.
NEW! Boca Hoops is offering a four-day basketball camp at Olympic Heights High School, 20101 Lyons Rd., Dec. 27-30, 9 to 3:30 p.m. $140 includes lunch, snacks, drinks, games, prizes and awards. For boys and girls age 7 to 15. Call 561-395-7372, ext. 106.
Saint Andrew’s School, 3900 Jog Rd., hosts three winter break camps:
Glacier Ice and Snow Arena, 4601 N. Federal Hwy. in Pompano Beach is offering a figure skating camp. 7:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 20-24 and Dec. 27-31. $195 a week or $50 a day.
The city of Boca Raton’s GAP program is for kids in kindergarten through fifth grade. Residents can start registering Dec. 6 (Dec. 13 for non-residents). It runs 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Boca Raton Community Center, 150 Crawford Blvd. $30 a day for residents; $43 for non-residents. Call 561-393-7888.
The YMCA offers camp for kids in kindergarten through fifth grade Dec. 20-23 and 27-30. It runs 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. at its facility at 6631 Palmetto Circle South. $240 for 4 days or $70 a day. Call 561-395-9622 or register online.
FAU is offering soccer camps Dec. 20-23 and 27-30 for kids 5-14 at the campus, 777 Glades Rd. For girls, it’s 9 a.m. to noon. $100 a session. Register online. For boys, it’s offering Soccer and Soccer Plus, half-day ($100) or full-day ($190) sessions Dec.20-23 and 27-30. Register online.
Rising Stars Gymnastics offers daily camp Dec. 20-23 and 27-30, as well as Jan. 3. You can choose from half-day, three-quarter day or full-day programs. To go all nine days, you’ll pay $200 for half-day (8:30 a.m.-noon), $230 for 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m., $270 for full day (8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.) Daily rates are $25 for half-day, $30 for 3 p.m. pickup, $35 for full day. Lunch and snack included. Early dropoff and late pickup available for extra fee. More information on the Rising Stars website.
The Museum of Discovery & Science in Fort Lauderdale offers two five-day camps for kids age 6 to 12. The week of Dec. 20-24, they’ll learn about kitchen chemistry. The next week, Dec. 27-31, the theme is fireworks and other things that go bang. Both camps include an IMAX adventure. Camps run 9 a.m. to 5 p.m with before- and after-care available. $225 a week. To register, call 954-713-0930. The museum is at 401 SW Second St. in Fort Lauderdale.
