ECEAP

Early Childhood Education Assistance Program (ECEAP)2023-04-26T08:23:39-07:00

FREE Preschool for Eligible Families.

What is ECEAP?

What is ECEAP?

The Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP) is a comprehensive preschool program that provides free services and support to eligible children and their families. Funded by Washington State, ECEAP helps children and families get ready for kindergarten and is free to enrolled families. It serves three and four year- olds from low income families, and children with developmental or environmental risk factors that could interfere with school success.

Compared to similar children who do not attend, children in programs like ECEAP are:

  • Healthier when they start kindergarten.
  • More likely to graduate from high school and go onto college.
  • More likely to be employed and to earn more as an adult.
  • Less likely to be in special education or repeat a grade in school.
  • Less likely to become pregnant as a teen or become involved in a crime
Early Childhood Education & Assistance Program

ECEAP Program

The ECEAP Program

ECEAP includes preschool education, health services coordination, and family support services. Children who participate in the program learn to manage their feelings, get along with others and follow classroom routines. They build the beginning skills for reading, math and science. The program works closely with parents to support their children’s health and education and to meet family goals. ECEAP also helps families access medical and dental care and social services.

The program includes:

  • Preschool instruction
  • Developmental screenings and referrals
  • Nutritious meals and snacks
  • Health and dental screenings
  • Home Visits
  • Parent Leadership Opportunities
  • Family Events
  • Kindergarten Readiness Activities
  • Transportation provided in some service areas

Children are accepted into ECEAP based on their age, family income, and other developmental or environmental risk factors.

Serving the Following School Districts

  • Battle Ground Public Schools
  • Evergreen Public Schools
  • Vancouver Public Schools
  • Ocean Beach School District
  • White Salmon School District

Benefits

ECEAP Program Benefits

Educational Experience

The ECEAP preschool experience builds on children’s strengths and interests while helping prepare them for school. With ECEAP, children discover:

  • How to make friends by sharing, taking turns, and solving problems
  • How to be part of a group by following routines and directions
  • What interests them and to be excited about learning
  • Foundational academic concepts in the areas of reading, math and science

Family Support

Parents are their children’s first and most important teachers. ECEAP staff work closely with families to maximize children’s brain development and growth. In the program, families:

  • Identify their strengths and set goals
  • Plan family nights with staff support
  • Develop leadership skills
  • Develop relationships with other families with young children

Health Coordination

In order for children to be ready for Kindergarten, they need to be healthy. While in ECEAP, children:

  • Have their hearing and vision checked
  • Participate in a developmental screening
  • Eat a variety of nutritious meals and snacks
  • Play outdoors

“Before she started this program, she was counting up to 5. Now, she can count up to 20 – a huge improvement. I know she will be ok on her first day of kindergarten because of this early education program.”

Linda, Mother of Eva

Looking for additional information?

You can visit the Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families website or call us at 360-952-3466.

Policy Council

Parent Policy Council

Policy Council is a leadership opportunity for parent volunteers in Early Head Start (EHS),  Early Childhood Education Assistance Program (ECEAP), and Early ECEAP to have a voice in major program planning, policy and decision-making. Through Policy Council they are able to advocate for the best interest of their child and family while gaining leadership skills.

In addition to their regular meetings, once a year EHS. Early ECEAP and ECEAP staff bring the Policy Council parents and the ESD 112 Board of Directors together at the ESD for a dinner and training session. Parents are given the opportunity to share their families’ stories and experiences in the programs with the Board. Members of both groups participate in training related to roles and responsibilities as well as how the two governing bodies, along with management staff, engage in a shared decision-making process.

Policy Council Meetings & Minutes

Meetings are held the 3rd Thursday of every month from 5:30pm – 7pm at the following locations:

For current ECEAP and EHS families, meeting minutes are available upon request. Please contact Kaela Praisewater by phone at 360-261-6118 or by email at kaela.praisewater@esd112.org 

Parent Volunteer Ann Miszczak’s Inspiring Story

Join the Parent Policy Council

Request Information

Request Additional Information

For more information, call 360-952-3466 or email us for additional information.

Program Qualifications

Child must be 3 or 4 years of age as of August 31st of the school year. Children cannot be enrolled in Head Start and ECEAP at the same time. Click the button below to find out if you qualify.

ECE State Resources

Early Care and Education in the News

Why do parents spend so much on child care, yet childhood educators earn so little?
(Child Care Aware of America, July 11, 2018)

Building a solid foundation
(Camas-Washougal Post-Record, April 11, 2019)

Get Social with Us

Early Care and Education Child Care
Early Care and Education Child CareMarch 27, 2024 at 7:57pm
🛝SLIDE🛝 on over to our website for more info about our FREE preschool programs! We have morning and afternoon openings at Park Crest and Patricia Nierenberg.

🌐 https://www.esd112.org/ece/eceap/
📞 360-952-3466
📧 ece.enroll@esd112.org
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