The Bucks County Intermediate Unit (Bucks IU) opened a new Early Learning Center (ELC) on the campus of the Lower Bucks Hospital in Bristol Aug. 28.
The ELC proudly serves children and families in the Bucks IU’s federally-funded Head Start program and in the Bucks IU’s state-funded Preschool Early Intervention program. Both programs are available at no-cost to students and families who qualify.
Head Start promotes school readiness by enhancing a child’s cognitive, social, and emotional development in a positive learning environment. Bucks IU Head Start services include a focus on early learning, health and nutrition, and family well-being (family inclusion and participation is critical to the development of children since families are a child’s first teacher). The new center has five large classrooms – all freshly painted, with new ceiling tiles, and fully outfitted to accommodate up to 90 Head Start students. The center also features a new, state-of-the-art playground with handicap-accessible equipment promoting inclusiveness.
A sixth classroom in the new Bucks IU ELC is designated for preschool-aged children with disabilities or developmental delays receiving Preschool Early Intervention (PEI) services. Services include socialization and language enrichment programs in addition to occupational, physical, and speech therapies. The earlier these services are provided, the greater the opportunity a child has for maximum growth and developmental gains prior to beginning elementary school.
For over 50 years, the Bucks IU has served students, families, schools, and school districts throughout Bucks County. For more than 40 of those years, the Bucks IU has provided Preschool Early Intervention (PEI) services. Currently, the Bucks IU provides PEI services to approximately 3,300 students annually. With a strong foundation in education and educational services, the Bucks IU continues to serve as a preschool provider for the Federally-funded Head Start and Early Head Start programs and for the State-funded Pre-K Counts program.
Bucks IU Early Childhood Programs (ECP) support 21 Head Start classrooms (387 children), 10 PreK Counts classes directly through the Bucks IU (162 children), and 11 additional PreK Counts classes through a partnership with the Neshaminy School District (150 children). Staff exclusively assigned to ECP exceeds 230 and proudly averages over seven years of employment per person!
The Bucks IU can assist interested parties in determining which program’s eligibility may best align with their needs.
For information, visit www.BucksIU.org.
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