Sarah Dye, lead teacher in the New Holland Early Learning Center (NHELC) Pre-K Counts classroom, which first started serving 3- and 4-year-olds in September 2023, makes it clear that the free government program is not different from other preschools. "We work on everything a regular preschool works on," she stated. "Kindergarten readiness is a big one."

Nearly 20 students work with Dye and her two assistants from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays as part of the Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts program that NHELC opened in partnership with IU13. "This is something we have been trying to do for a while," said executive director Wanda Bortzel. "It was one of the goals of our strategic plan." Bortzel worked with the IU13 to complete the paperwork to qualify. She pointed out that the program is open first to ELANCO-area residents who are at 300% of the poverty level.

"NHELC was invited by IU13 to participate in the PA Pre-K Counts grant as a community partner based on the center's high-quality rating," said IU13 representative Jennifer Houser.

"We teach colors, numbers, shapes, and letters," said Dye. "We do a lot of social-emotional (learning) as well with this age," she noted, adding that the social-emotional gap between ages 3, 4, and 5 is large.

The day for the students always begins by washing their hands followed by working to write their own names. "They sign in," said Dye, who noted that children use nametags to work on creating the letters based on ability. She uses verbal cues to help older students work to form letters. "For some they don't have the skills yet to draw a circle or a line, I do hand-over-hand where they hold the pencil, and I coach them verbally as I write their names with them."

The rest of the morning is filled with learning time. "Pre-K Counts is specific on how time is scheduled," said Dye. Students must spend an hour at centers, which include science blocks, cutting, and a discovery table that encourages learning at play. "I go around the room and facilitate the learning and conversation," said Dye, who said she may focus on the letter of the week, encouraging students to make the sound and discuss words that begin with the letter. A large group lesson may focus on either the social-emotional or creative curriculum the program uses, and small group time allows opportunities for specific activities for each lesson and individual work. Small groups may also focus on the time of the year, a craft, or a letter. Students also have snack, lunch, nap, and outdoor time. "They do a lot of learning, concentrating, and focusing," said Dye. "They need that time to give their brains a break."

NHELC assistant director Jennifer Morales pointed out the importance of the social-emotional curriculum. "If they don't have that in place, they can't learn academically the way they need to," she said. "It's very important to focus on that social-emotional piece, so we have really embraced that. We take a lot of children with additional needs."

Dye said that because many of the children in the program are refugees, learning English is a priority. "One little girl came in not knowing any English, but she is now speaking to me in sentences," she said.

Bortzel has already witnessed the classmates helping each other to learn. "I saw one of the children asking another, 'Which one is my name?' One of the other children got her nametag for her so she could write it (to sign in)."

Four-year-old children in the program will go to kindergarten next year, but 3-year-olds will come back to continue to build on the skills they learned the year before.

The current class is full and has a waiting list. Readers who have questions may call NHELC at 717-354-4440.