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past years, Coal Pit has
offered two preschool educational programs at no charge, accommodating
up to forty students. Three-year-olds attend school two mornings per
week from 9 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.; four and five-year-olds attend three
mornings per week. Each session includes educational and socialization
activities, concluding with a nutritious lunch. Students are given a
chance to explore the areas of music, science, art, and constructive
play while developing their visual, motor, and pre-reading skills.
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program also provides free diagnostic testing, and teaches fundamental
moral values as well as such basics as hygiene, nutrition, and proper
behavior in a school setting.
amilies
qualify to participate in Coal Pit Learning
Center’s programs by demonstrating financial need.
Some preference is given to those students whose families (with demonstrated
need) have previously participated in the Coal Pit Program. Preference
is also given to certain students with special needs who are identified
and referred by Henrico County Department of Social Services or similar
agencies as being particularly likely to benefit from the Coal Pit program.
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keeping with its mission to support low-income families by preparing
children for school and improving parents’ self-sufficiency, the
Coal Pit Learning Center
broadened its offerings, beginning in 1996, to address the three levels
of care required by welfare parents who return to work. While broadening
its programs, however, Coal Pit will retained the successful elements
of its preschool program. Thus, there are four categories of children
accepted into the Coal Pit programs:
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Preschoolers for the existing Coal Pit program (9 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.) continue to be accepted at no charge. Subject to regulatory constraints, the current three-year-old and four/five-year-olds' programs will be retained (i.e., the two-day and three-day per week schedules). Funding continues to be provided by donations and any excess revenue generated by other fee-for-services programs. The program includes a strong educational element, socialization opportunities, and lunch.
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Preschoolers with working parents may participate in a full day, five-day per week program (12 p.m. to 6 p.m.) The same education, socialization, and meal opportunities noted above will be provided. There will be a charge, of $2 an hour, for the extended hours of care.
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After-kindergarten care is provided from 2:00 p.m. to 6 p.m. at $2 an hour. Preference for participation is given to siblings of students in the preschool program and to prior participants in the Coal Pit program. The program provides socialization activities and snacks.
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After-school care is available for primary graders from approximately 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at $2 an hour. Preference for participation would be given to siblings of students in the preschool program and to prior participants in the Coal Pit program. The program provides snacks and homework support, as well as physical and socialization activities.
A total of twenty preschool or kindergarten students will be on-site at any one time. Up to thirty students may be on-site during the After School Care program.
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addition to these programs for the children, Coal
Pit will continue to offer education and support to
families. The success of the expanded Coal
Pit program is measured by the academic success of our
students when they enter the public schools.
Coal Pit is a 501(c)(3)non-profit school