The Owl Hill Learning Center has partnered with Hempfield School District to offer the Pre-K Counts program at Landisville Intermediate Center (LIC), 300 Mumma Drive, Landisville. The program provides a prekindergarten enrichment class for children throughout the school district and is open to children who turned 3 on or before Sept. 1 and meet the eligibility requirements. To schedule an eligibility screening, contact hsdpkc@gmail.com. To download the application, visit https://tinyurl.com/prekcountsapp.

The collaboration between Owl Hill and the Hempfield School District began during the 2021-22 school year at Landisville Primary Center, and Owl Hill also operates preschool programs in Manheim Township, Lampeter-Strasburg and several other school districts across Pennsylvania. The program has been extended from a half-day program to a full-day program that will be held from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. Learning materials, breakfast and lunch are provided for students at no cost; however, no busing will be available. The program also offers dental, vision and hearing screenings for students free of charge.

The Pre-K Counts program places an academic focus on literacy, mathematics and social development. "We're teaching kids to be citizens through the avenue of being students," said Julie Mathers, administrator for Pre-K Counts. Each classroom has 20 students and is staffed by a teacher and an assistant. The supplies for each class are provided by Lakeshore Learning Materials, and the program uses the Starfall Pre-K curriculum.

"My favorite aspect of the program is working with the families," said Mathers. "Several participants are learning English and (are) new to the country. This program helps them understand our school process and be a part of the learning environment."

Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts began in 2007 when a grant from the state was offered to help fund early education. The program started in Manheim Township at Reidenbaugh Elementary School and has been expanding ever since, with some school districts now having more than one Pre-K Counts classroom. Prior to 2007, the Owl Hill Learning Center offered child care services in Lititz and Lancaster city.

"The program is important because we service students that wouldn't have an opportunity to attend a pre-K class otherwise," said Mathers. "It sets them up for success going forward, with things like college entry and getting good SAT scores. It also helps school districts because these students are already screened and known by administration by the time they reach kindergarten."

For more information, visit http://www.owlhilllearningcenter.com/programs.