ExCITE — Early Childhood Infant Toddler Educare
The ExCITE program is inclusive of these preschool services:
- Head Start for children ages three and four
- Title I Preschool for children ages three and four
- LB759 State Funding for children birth to age five
- Student Child Learning Centers for infants and toddlers in selected secondary buildings where parent[s] are enrolled.
ExCITE staff are located within multiple elementary schools and 4 secondary schools. ExCITE classes are located in Adams, Arnold, Beattie, Belmont, Brownell, Calvert, Campbell, Cavett, Clinton, Elliott, Everett, Holmes, Humann, Huntington, Kooser, Maxey, McPhee, Meadow Lane, Morley, Pershing, Prescott, Roper, Saratoga, and West Lincoln Elementary Schools. The central administrative office for the program is currently housed at Lincoln Public Schools offices in the Experian building at 949 W Bond (402-436-1995 or 402-436-1943), Director (436-1988).
Expectations for Teachers
ExCITE staff are expected to provide comprehensive services through guidance and support and to encourage families to grow in family literacy in their own way to achieve their goals and dreams towards self sufficiency and social competence. Children develop birth to five-years-old, cognitively, socio-emotionally and physically with quality instruction by early childhood educators in partnership with the child’s parents in classrooms and on home visits.
Programs and Services
ExCITE provides to children and families comprehensive services that focus on the following cornerstones: Child Development, Family Involvement, Community Partners, and Staff Development through Home Base and Center Base options. The overdriving philosophy of the Program is Family Literacy.
Questions and Answers
How can I apply for my child to be enrolled in the ExCITE program?
Please call 402-436-1995 or 402-436-1943 to schedule an appointment or come to the Lincoln Public Schools Teaching and Learning Center located at 949 West Bond. When applying for ExCITE/HeadStart, you must present a certified birth certificate for your child your child’s immunization record, and income verification for the past year (previous years tax return, W-2, or check stub). A list of income sources that must be reported is included with the application cover sheet. We will make photocopies of all required documents for our files.
You may access the Cover Sheet and the application through this link Early Childhood Programs App 2012. For non-English speaking families, the Application Cover Sheet includes contact information for translation assistance. The application is available in Spanish. Click here for the Spanish Cover Sheet and Application for 2012-2013. The application deadline for the 2011-2012 school year will be February 29th 2012.
What is the process for accepting my child into the program?
Once an application is completed, (including the child’s birth certificate, immunization record, and income verification) the application is processed and your child is placed on the waiting list in a priority order. Selection and placement of children is determined and all families are notified BY MAIL to let them know if their child is accepted or will remain on the waiting list for the present time.
What criteria are used to decide if my child can be accepted?
Applications are prioritized by several categories, including the child’s age, the family’s income and all information provided in the application. Those with the highest priority are accepted into the program first. If two applications have the same priority rating, the one that was received first will be considered first.
How does a person become an ExCITE/Head Start volunteer?
Volunteers are welcome in the ExCITE/Head Start Program. Anyone wishing to become a volunteer should contact the volunteer coordinator by e-mail at pschmidt@lps.org or by phone (436-1995) to set up an appointment for orientation. Volunteers will be required to complete some paperwork and work with the volunteer coordinator to set up a specific location for volunteering. If you prefer to complete the paperwork before coming to the appointment, you can access it here volunteer agreement, and confidentiality policy. These forms need to be completed and turned in to the ExCITE Office during the orientation.
Assuring your child’s safety
All adults – parents, volunteers, staff – are required to sign a Request for Information which will be sent to the State of Nebraska Adult and Child Abuse and Neglect Registry. You will be asked to complete the form during an enrollment session before your child begins ExCITE classes.
Head Start
This is what the Head Start Program includes. It is one of the funding sources for the ExCITE Program. All information that applies to ExCITE also applies to Head Start.
- The Leadership Team for Head Start/ExCITE includes the following people:
- Deila Steiner, Director of Federal Programs
- Pat Schmidt, Coordinator of Head Start/ExCITE
- Sherri Johnson, Early Childhood Grant Technician
- Connie Deschaine, ExCITE Registrar
- Dawn Wright, Disabilities Specialist
- Phyllis Boshae, RN, Health Specialist
- Peggy Newquist, Family Literacy Specialist
- Denise Sorensen, Education Specialist
- Carrie Erks, Mental Health specialist
- Kim Nebel, School Social Worker
- Azure Wall , Co-Assistant Head Start Director, Community Action Partnership of Lancaster and Saunders Counties
Partners:
- Lincoln City Libraries
- Southeast Community College
- Family Service of Lincoln
- Lincoln Public Schools ExCITE
LPS759 State Funding
Early Childhood – Nebraska Dept of Education