Wor-Wic Community College will offer two prekindergarten classes for 3- and 4-year-olds this fall thanks to a grant from the Maryland State Department of Education (MDSE).
The grant of $520,000 will fund prekindergarten at Wor-Wic’s child development center for up to 40 students who meet income guidelines in Wicomico County, or who speak a language other than English at home or have an individualized educational plan (IEP) or individualized family service plan (IFSP). The grant is a result of the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, which aims to broaden prekindergarten in the state for all of Maryland’s 3- and 4-year-old children.
“We had a very successful start last year with our first prekindergarten class, and now we are expanding to a second classroom to meet our community’s needs,” said Sandra L. March, child development center director. “We are excited to be able to help families in this way. Developmentally appropriate early childhood education and care are not only good for children but for parents as well. The partnerships and collaborations in the community have been phenomenal to make sure children in these classes have a positive and productive educational experience.”
The prekindergarten program provides students with a full school day of instruction, along with breakfast and an afternoon snack. Transportation is not provided.
The Wor-Wic child development center is accredited by the MDSE and holds a level five quality rating, the highest possible, from Maryland EXCELS, the state’s rating system for licensed child care and early education.
“We take pride in our center, and consider ourselves in a class of our own,” March said. “Our campus-based, high-quality program serves not only students but the community as a whole.”
For information about the prekindergarten program, call 410-334-2962. Application is through the Wicomico County Schools website; visit www.wcboe.org and click on “Enrollment and Registration.”
