Parents with children ages 3 and 4 in Alexandria, mark your calendar: registration at the city’s ALX Preschool is scheduled to kick off on Monday, Feb. 17.
ALX Preschool is a program run by the Department of Community and Human Services, Alexandria City Public Schools, Center-based and Family Child Care homes to offer pre-school access — which can be famously cost-prohibitive in Alexandria — to families in need.
The program is available to families with income below 200% of the federal poverty guideline percentage or between 201-350% if they meet certain criteria. The full eligibility chart is available online.
According to a release:
To be eligible, the child must be 3 years old by September 30, reside in the City of Alexandria, and the family must meet the income eligibility guidelines. Eligibility is determined through the online application, which is available in English, Amharic, Dari, Spanish and Arabic. Apply for ALX Preschool online and expect to be contacted by a registrar within 10 business days to continue the application process. Registrars walk parents through the enrollment process to alleviate registration challenges for families and childcare providers.
The program matches children with one of 16 public and private providers in Alexandria of offer a referral. Providers offer:
- Sites with varying hours to meet the needs of families.
- Evidence-based curriculums that emphasize language development, social skills, problem-solving skills and physical development.
- Early literacy, math, science, social studies, art, music and physical activities.
- Diverse cultural experiences.
- Breakfast, lunch and snacks.
- Health and wellness services for children and families.
Photo via Erika Fletcher/Unsplash
