The transition from preschool to kindergarten can be a challenging time for both young students and their parents. Students need to adapt to a new environment as they enter school, and their parents face the task of staying on top of a new schedule. Three years ago, the Owl Hill Learning Academy partnered with Lampeter Elementary School, 1600 Book Road, Lancaster, to offer Pre-K Counts, a program designed to assist those preparing for kindergarten and beyond.

Pre-K Counts is a free, full-day enrichment program for 3- and 4-year-olds who reside in the Lampeter-Strasburg School District. The program uses a state-approved academic curriculum that primarily focuses on literacy, mathematics and social development. Pre-K Counts also seeks to bridge the gap between day care and kindergarten by teaching children how to behave in a more structured setting and how to follow class rules. In addition to preparing children for public school, the program helps parents to become accustomed to a new schedule and checking for emails from teachers.

"Our mission is to offer high-quality prekindergarten programming to students and to teach them how to be safe and responsible in all areas of their lives," said Julie Mathers, administrator for Pre-K Counts.

According to Faith Thomas, Pre-K Counts educational director at Lampeter Elementary School, the program has been positively received by students' families and school staff members alike. "Kindergarten teachers have come to me saying they see the direct benefit of the program in their students who have gone through it," Thomas said. "Pre-K Counts is very accepted in this district, and everyone looks at it as an early childhood team. Many guidance counselors and social workers offer their assistance even though the kids aren't in upper elementary school yet."

This year, Pre-K Counts expanded its program at Lampeter Elementary School to hold two classrooms, and Thomas worked throughout the summer to ensure the classes were prepared for incoming students. Each Pre-K Counts classroom is outfitted to support 20 students, and the program has a rolling admission process. Families that are interested in registering for the program will be required to take an eligibility screening as part of the admission process. For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/lsprekcounts.

Owl Hill Learning Academy previously operated as part of Owl Hill Learning Center. Although both are based in Lititz, Owl Hill Learning Center focuses on offering child care at its main facility, while Owl Hill Learning Academy operates programs in the Hempfield, Lampeter-Strasburg, Warwick and Conestoga Valley school districts.