| How to Sign Up |
Download an application HERE ( ) |
| The application can be mailed, dropped off or faxed to 515-266-3056. You will be contacted within a week of receiving your application to let you know its status. |
| Contact |
| Jennifer Kise and Kelly Sievers |
| 6540 NE 12th Ave. Pleasant Hill, IA 50327 |
| Phone: 515-266-6795 |
In addition to the preschool scholarship, children receive monthly home visits from the school readiness liaisons, Kelly Sievers or Jennifer Kise, who provides child-centered activities related to school readiness (based on the district’s standards and benchmarks for kindergarten and developmentally appropriate activities) and essential research based school readiness skills. Parents receive a Family Follow-Up Activities sheet with ideas for things to do with the child throughout the month, to reinforce the new skills provided. Some families are visited more frequently due to high needs or specific requests.
Research indicates that the more books found in the home, the greater the likelihood the child will succeed in school. Through the Reading Rocks component of the Ram All*Star program, each child enrolled also receives a new book each month. The books are from a variety of genres and reflect cultural diversity. Through Reading Rocks, children earn points toward additional books by completing reading related activities. Thanks to community donations, over 1,080 books were distributed last year.
Each family also receives the Monthly Star newsletter, which includes information on the Reading Rocks book of the month, areas of development to be worked on during the next home visit, activities the parent could do regarding the next visit’s content area, ages and stages (developmental) information, and local events.
The Ram All*Star program is funded by the Early Childhood Empowerment Grant. Preschool scholarships have been offered to eligible families since 1999. Interested in donating children’s books, making a donation for brand new books or being a part of the Ram All*Star program?
| Ram All*Star Approved Preschools | ||
This list is provided by Central Place Family Resource Center as a part of the Southeast Polk Preschool Scholarship Program. This list contains only those centers that are currently approved to receive scholarship children. We do understand that these centers may not meet each family’s needs. Therefore, additional centers may be added on a case by case basis. This list of preschools/child care centers are referrals only. No endorsement of any program is intended. Call each program for specifics on ages served, hours of operation, fees and vacancies. Parents are encouraged to tour preschool and child care facilities to ensure the program meets the needs of your child and family. |
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| Part Day Preschool Programs | ||
| Adventure-Life Preschool | 1700 8th St. SW Altoona, IA 50009 |
957-8981 |
| Children of Christ Preschool | 600 1st Ave. N Altoona, IA 50009 |
967-3349 |
| Church of the Cross Preschool | 1975 8th St. SW Altoona, IA 50009 |
967-0138 |
| Discovery Time Preschool | 210 3rd St. NW PO Box 487 Mitchellville, IA 50169 |
967-4286 |
| Grandview Park Baptist Preschool | 1701 E. 33rd St. Des Moines, IA 50317 |
265-7579 |
| Kid’s Connection Preschool | 602 5th Ave. SW Altoona, IA 50009 |
967-1455 |
| Rising Sun Learning Center | 6390 NE Rising Sun Dr. Pleasant Hill, IA 50327 |
265-9080 |
| Southeast Polk Integrated Preschool at Clay Elementary |
3200 1st Ave. South Altoona, IA 50009 |
967-4198 |
| Southeast Polk Integrated Preschool at Willowbrook Elementary |
300 17th Ave. SW Altoona, IA 50009 |
967-7512 |
| Wee Adventures | 11680 SE 64th Ave. Runnells, IA 50237 |
966-9342 |
| Full Day Preschool Programs | ||
| Altoona Kidsworld I | 105 3rd St. SE Altoona, IA 50009 |
967-1009 |
| Altoona Kidsworld II | 630 8th St. SE Altoona, IA 50009 |
967-1029 |
| Shining Stars | 1250 NE 56th St. Pleasant Hill, IA 50327 |
564-0507 |
| Shining Stars II | 5400 Jennifer Dr. Pleasant Hill, IA 50327 |
266-2264 |
| *Please note you must be approved for a full time voucher to qualify for the above full time preschools. | ||
| Head Start Programs | ||
| Des Moines Head Start | Call to find the Head Start nearest you | 271-1854 or 1-800 44Drake @ ext. 1854 |
| Mitchellville Head Start | Mitchellville Elementary | 271-1854 or 1-800 44Drake @ ext. 1854 |
