If you have a four-year-old child, you may benefit from free pre-kindergarten programs in St. Augustine. Florida children are offered a voluntary pre-kindergarten education program if the child was born before September first of every year. The benefits of the pre-k program are overwhelming, and it is easy to enroll if you find a school or area that provides these services.
Classes
There are two main pre-kindergarten program classes available, including through the school year and over the summer. The school year option provides 540 hours of instruction with a single instructor and 11 students, or an instructor and an assistant with 20 students. Instructors need to have a child care professional credential in Florida.
The summer version offers 300 hours of instruction with one teacher and 12 students. In order for the instructor to be allowed to teach the summer version, he or she must have a bachelor’s degree.
Another option is available for those children with disabilities, though it is not taught at a traditional facility. This is called the Specialized Instructional Services option and has an educational plan that has been developed by local districts to fit the needs of children with disabilities.
Hours
In most cases, the hours will be similar for regular school children in the area. However, the child will attend Tuesdays and Thursdays or Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays of each week instead of five days per week.
Required
Most people believe that in St. Augustine, pre-kindergarten programs are required. While it is required of the schools and day care facilities to offer these options, the parents are under no obligation to send their child to one of these programs. However, there are many benefits of doing so.
Benefits
Young children need to be prepared to go into kindergarten or else they will likely have trouble adjusting. Because of this, the program has been set up in Florida. Many parents would like to send their four-year-olds to preschool but are unable to do so because of financial situations. This is another benefit, because the program is free for the school year.
While most people believe that these Pre-Kindergarten Programs Are Beneficial, you are not required to have your child participate. While this may not seem like a benefit, it can be for those that would otherwise feel forced to send their children to the pre-k program.