Why the Wild Plum Center?
Native to Colorado, the wild plum tree represents growth, nourishment, and stability – core elements WPC offers to the families it serves.
What do you mean by comprehensive preschool and developmental services?
WPC works to address any and all aspects of need within a child’s life, allowing for more fruitful learning experiences. WPC families receive educational curriculum-based pre-school classes and early developmental services, health and dental screenings, mental health services, nutrition information, parent education, family support/case management, and transportation free of charge. All services are offered bi-lingually in English and Spanish.
What do you mean by low-income?
Wild Plum Center serves children and families living at 100% Federal Poverty Level.
Is WPC Head Start?
WPC is the designated Head Start and Early Head Start provider for the Boulder County portion of the St. Vrain Valley School District. Head Start and Early Head Start are both federal funding streams, as well as, best-practice service models. Currently, Wild Plum provides, Head Start, Early Head Start, and non-Head Start programs. Head Start and Early Head Start are two of the programs provided by WPC. However, all WPC services are based on the Head Start and Early Head Start models.
Doesn’t Head Start / Early Head Start provide all the funding and supplies you need?
Under our Head Start and Early Head Start grants, WPC receives approximately 80% of the funding needed to operate our Head Start classrooms and Early Head Start programming. WPC's Head Start and Early Head Start grants require us to generate matching funds totaling nearly $400,000 per year. Further, while based on the Head Start model, Head Start funding does not cover any services or supplies needed for WPC’s two Meeker Center classrooms.
What is the Meeker Center?
Unfortunately, Head Start funding has failed to keep pace with the growing need for low-income preschool services in Longmont. In response to this Wild Plum Center, in partnership with Boulder County, the City of Longmont, and the St. Vrain Valley School District has established two non-Head Start- funded classrooms at the Meeker Center. Thirty-two children and their families receive services through the Meeker Center classrooms.
How is the Meeker Center different than Head Start?
Curriculum-based preschool education and subsequent family support services are provided based on the best-practice Head Start model. Funding for these classrooms does not come through WPC’s federal Head Start grant.
How much does it cost for a child to attend/ participate in WPC programming?
All services are provided free of charge to families.
Does my child qualify?
Children living at or below 100% Federal Poverty Level and residing within the Boulder County portion of the St. Vrain Valley School District are eligible to attend Wild Plum Center.
What is the "Center-Based" Early Head Start program?
The "Center-Based" EHS program allows parents that are pursuing employment or educational-related opportunities to enroll their infants and toddlers in an enriched daycare setting. This program is then enhanced by group-delivered parent education and parent/child socialization activities lead by Family Educators.
What is the "Home-Based" Early Head Start program?
Participants in the "Home-Based" EHS program have the option to select the site for their one-on-one sessions with Family Educators. Most families enrolled in this service model opt to have the sessions in their own homes as it provides the most rich environment for them to work with their children.
Will my Family Educator / Family Service Specialist help with household duties? Can I leave my child with my Family Educator / Family Service Specialist?
No. Family Educators and Family Service Specialists consult with families to aid parents and caregivers in learning the best, most age and developmentally appropriate ways of interacting with their children. It is essential that both parents and children are present at these invaluable learning sessions.
If you did not find your question answered here, please call 303-776-8523 for further information.
