The Iberia Parish Early Childhood Community Network is launching applications for their child development programs starting Feb. 1 at 9 a.m.

The programs are designed for birth through 4 years. They partner with type-3 childcare centers, family child care centers, Early Head Start, Head Start, public pre-k, Early Steps and Child Search.

Type 3 childcare centers provide early childhood services for children aged birth to five years. They utilize a tier-1 curriculum, which met all of Louisiana’s non-negotiable criteria and represents the highest standard of education in the state. These centers accept both Child Care Assistance Programs (CCAP) and private tuition.

Similar to Type-3 childcare centers, family child care centers provide a Tier-1 curriculum, but offer it for children ages birth to twelve years. They are also organized in the educator’s home, rather than a separate care facility. Only family child care sites within the community network accept CCAP.

Prime Time Early Head Start and Head Start programs offer free development assistance to children ages six weeks to three-years-old. This includes connecting families with appropriate healthcare and promoting both academic and social skills necessary for a child to succeed as a student. Enrollment priority is granted for children in the foster care system and families experiencing homelessness.

Public pre-kindergarten is a grant-funded program that also provides a Tier-1 educational curriculum. Rather than working in a home or a separate facility, these programs take place in elementary school classrooms across the parish for 4-year-olds. At-risk families receive prioritized funding, and tuition spots are limited for families above the income limit.

Early Steps and Child Search both provide resources for children with possible or confirmed developmental delays or disabilities. Early Steps focuses on providing care for children in their natural environment with medical conditions that could lead to or has already caused developmental delays. On the other hand, Child Search is a program of the Iberia Parish Special Education Department tasked with identifying, locating and evaluating children between ages three and five that are suspected of possessing a disability.

To apply for any program, parents must provide a specific set of documents which includes the child’s state-issued birth certificate, the parent or guardian’s driver’s license, the child’s social security card, their state immunization records, a proof of residence such as a power bill and a proof of income document. Proof of income can be a check stub, official employment letter, SNAP/Food Stamps report, Social Security Administration statement, foster care placement agreement, paperwork confirming homelessness or declaration of income for irregular employment alongside a statement of support form if applicable.

Income documents are necessary as Early Head Start, Head Start and pre-K are all grant-funded. However, while a W-2 form is acceptable for the Head Start program, it isn’t acceptable for public pre-K. The 2023-2024 income limits are strict.

The program will contact applicants by email and text message to inform them whether their child was accepted. If someone doesn’t qualify for their first preference, the application will transfer to their second preference.

For more information, go online at www.iberiaschools.org/298376_2, call at 337-364-7641 or visit their office at 1204 LeMaire Street in New Iberia.