Low-income preschool accepting applications

By Oliver Lazenby

The Opportunity Council’s state-funded preschool program for low-income families moved back to Blaine last school year after two years in Custer and is accepting applications.

The program is held at Blaine Primary School from 8:15 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. The community assistance-focused nonprofit’s Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP) serves children three to five years old from low-income families.

From 2014 to 2017, the Opportunity Council held the program at Custer Elementary School and provided transportation for Blaine families.

The program’s income qualifications are based on federal poverty guidelines, but enrollment specialist Juan Madrigal said the program is flexible with enrollment.

“What we are trying to do is qualify families, not disqualify them,” he said.

Curriculum is tailored to individual children, but overall program goals include learning how to be social with other children and learning to have a routine.

The program currently has a waiting list, but the Opportunity Council accepts applications for the program year-round. Applications are online at: bit.ly/2H1cmGZ. To enroll over the phone, call the Opportunity Council at 360/734-5121.

The Blaine school district has a list of local preschools on its website at: blainesd.org/o/blaine-primary-school/page/developmental-preschool-program.