3 - 5 years old
CDC offers multiple Preschool programs for 3-, 4- and 5-year-olds.
These full-day, school-year programs are intended to give your children an early educational boost that will help them to make a successful transition to kindergarten and to do better in school.
Our Preschool programs utilize research-based curriculum, The Creative Curriculum®, to focus on reading and math skills, social and school readiness skills, following directions and getting along with fellow students and teachers. We also emphasize the development of interest in learning and involving the family in the child's education. All programs include a nutritious breakfast, lunch and snack.
Pre-K Counts and Head Start enrollments are based on income eligibility. Click the links below to read more about each specific program and its qualifications.
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Head Start is the federal government’s preschool program for 3-, 4- and 5-year-old children from low-income households. Head Start at CDC is a full-day, school-year program that is intended to prepare children for a successful transition to kindergarten and elementary school.
In addition to early childhood education, Head Start offers a number of other services that support the children’s health, development and family well-being. CDC offers Head Start classes in Franklin and Oil City (Venango County), Meadville (Crawford County), Erie, Girard and Millcreek (Erie County).
A family’s income must be at or below the federal poverty level – currently $31,200 for a family of four – for children to enroll in Head Start. The program is free to income-eligible households.
You also automatically qualify for Head Start if:
- you receive Food Stamps
- you receive TANF or SSI
- you are fostering a child
- you do not rent/own your own home
To enroll your child or learn more about Head Start, apply online or call (814) 480-9505.
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CDC's Head Start Supplemental Assistance Program (HSSAP) is identical to Head Start but are funded by the state instead of the federal government. The HSSAP program allows CDC to expand our services so that more children and families can access Head Start services.
Like Head Start, HSSAP:
- is a free program for 3-, 4-, and 5-year-old children from low-income households (the current income limit for a family of 4 is $31,200)
- is a full day, school year program intended to prepare children for a successful transition to kindergarten and elementary school
- offers many services that support children's health, development and family well-being
To enroll your child or learn more about this program, please apply here!
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Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts is a state-funded pre-kindergarten learning program that we offer. This full-day, school-year program for 3-, 4- and 5-year-olds is intended to provide an early educational boost that will help them to make a successful transition to kindergarten and beyond and to do better in school.
Pre-K Counts focuses on reading and math skills, social and school readiness skills, following directions and getting along with fellow students and teachers. Additionally, there is an emphasis on developing an interest in learning and involving the family in the child’s education.
Grant funding covers all costs of Pre-K Counts making this program free to income-eligible households. A family’s income must be at or below $93,600 for a family of four to enroll in Pre-K Counts. The program is primarily for low-income households, though families with a higher income may also enroll their children.
To enroll your child or learn more about Pre-K Counts, please apply here!
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CDC offers a Preschool program for 3-, 4- and 5-year-olds that is identical to Pre-K Counts but has no income eligibility guidelines.
This full-day, school-year program is intended to give them an early educational boost that will help them to make a successful transition to kindergarten and beyond and to do better in school.
Like Pre-K Counts, our Preschool program focuses on reading and math skills, social and school readiness skills, following directions and getting along with fellow students and teachers. Additionally, there is an emphasis on developing an interest in learning and involving the family in the child’s education.
To enroll your child or learn more about Tuition-Based Preschool, apply here!
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The Early Learning Resource Center (ELRC) operates Pennsylvania's child care subsidy program statewide, including in Venango, Crawford and Erie Counties. The ELRC helps income-eligible families to find and pay for child care or early childhood education (including before- and after-school care and summertime care) so the parents can work or attend school.
Many families are not aware that they and their child care provider are eligible for ELRC funding. If your family meets the income and work or school requirements of the program, and your child care provider qualifies, the ELRC may be able to help you.
To learn more about the ELRC and its financial assistance program, please call
(814) 518-5226 or toll-free (855) 294-9015
631 12th Street, Franklin, PA 16323(814) 337-8055 or toll-free (800) 682-6118
996 South Main Street, Meadville, PA 16335(814) 836-5898 or toll-free (800) 860-2281
3823 West 12th Street, Erie, PA 16505The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) funds the ELRC child care subsidy program.
