The Bucks County Intermediate Unit (Bucks IU) has been awarded a 2018–2019 state grant of $680,000 to provide free preschool to 80 children from income-eligible families in Bucks county. Pennsylvania Pre‑K Counts provides high-quality pre-kindergarten services to three and four-year old children at no cost to their families. Children living in families earning up to 300 percent of federal poverty guidelines (e.g. a family of four earning up to $75,300 annually) are eligible to apply. Pre-Applications, to supply initial family information, can be completed by clicking here or by visiting www.BucksIU.org and selecting the information provided there.
Quality pre-kindergarten addresses all areas of child development including, but not limited to, social emotional, language and literacy, mathematical thinking and expression, and physical development. This strong early start in pre-kindergarten means they have a better chance of being ready for kindergarten, doing well in school, going on to college or career training, and getting a good job.
Pre‑K Count classes meet for six hours a day on a calendar that mirrors that of the school districts in which the school resides. The 80 students who will be serviced through the Bucks IU’s grant will attend classes at one of the following locations:
- Diebler Elementary School in the Pennridge School District
- West Rockhill Elementary School in the Pennridge School District
- Neshaminy Warwick Presbyterian Church at the border of the Central Bucks and Centennial School Districts
- Snyder-Girotti Elementary School in the Bristol Borough School District
Additionally, the Bucks IU, partners with the Neshaminy School District, will also be providing the teachers and support staff for all the Pre‑K Counts students that are enrolled through the Neshaminy School District’s Pre‑K Counts grant. These 120 students will attend classes in the Bucks IU Lower Southampton Early Learning Center in Lower Southampton, Joseph Ferderbar Elementary School in Lower Southampton, and the Albert Schweitzer Elementary School in Middletown.
In total, the Bucks IU will oversee the educational needs of 200 Bucks County preschoolers through the 2018–2019 Pre‑K Counts program. Pre-Applications, to supply initial family information, can be completed by clicking here or by visiting www.BucksIU.org and selecting the information provided there. For questions or assistance in applying, please contact Joan Pfender, Bucks IU Family Engagement Specialist, at 215–348-2940 Extension 8911 or email her at HS-JPfender@BucksIU.org.