About 5,342 of the Hillsborough seats are filled by Thursday. Registration continues.
By JEFFREY S. SOLOCHEK, Times Staff Writer
Published August 5, 2005
TAMPA - Shirley Gorgei-Wood knew parental interest in the state's new prekindergarten program would be high.
But she didn't expect six unregistered children to show up at her Egypt Lake preschool when the program debuted Thursday morning in Hillsborough County. With her pre-K class filled, Gorgei-Wood did what state and local planners hoped providers would do.
She told the parents if they registered by Saturday, "We'll open up another class."
"This affords our children in lower income brackets to get (early instruction) free," said Gorgei-Wood, the owner of Robin's Nest Early Learning Center and a member of the county's child care facilities advisory board. "I feel like we should do it."
Hillsborough's kickoff of the $400-million pre-K program went smoothly Thursday, as it did in Pinellas the day before. Only a few 4-year-olds showed up at public elementary schools, which are not participating, and registration remained slow but steady at the local Early Learning Coalition.
By noon, the program had 5,342 children enrolled, filling most of the 6,715 seats in Hillsborough.
Early Learning Coalition executive director Dave McGerald said many pre-K providers did not begin their programs on the first day, leaving time for parents to get certificates and find seats for their children.
McGerald said the coalition will launch a radio marketing drive next week, and open a pre-K hotline. The number is (813) 204-1759.
The coalition also plans to extend registration hours for the next few weeks. Parents must sign up in person, bringing proof of residency and proof that their child will be 4 on or before Sept. 1. McGerald said he also would continue to seek additional providers in areas where demand outstrips supply.
At Robin's Nest, dad Ramjee Adhikary hugged his daughter, Arissa, before sending her to her first-ever day of school. Adhikary said Arissa already knows her alphabet, can count and can spell a bit.
"We just want to make sure she can keep up with that," he said.
He also liked getting something back for his tax money: "That's always good. I always feel like I pay more than I'm supposed to."
Arissa and her classmates quickly got down to business. They sang about names, learned days and months and talked about weather.
Teacher Claudia DiGeronimo used even the smallest events to impart lessons. When one girl asked why another girl was a weather helper and not her, DiGeronimo discussed sharing and taking turns.
Arissa smiled throughout.
"I want to go to school because I always wanted to go to school," she said, while playing with Legos. "I want to learn about so many different things."
Gabrielle's Glen in Temple Terrace had concerns about some aspects of the state pre-K law, but ultimately decided to participate. "Even though it is only three hours (a day)," said Janeen Stokes, whose father owns the school.
"It is a good jump start and an experience away from home," Stokes said.
The school saw larger-than-expected interest in the 3-hour daily program, Stokes said. Most of the kids in the half-day classroom had not been in school before.
As the children packed up their bags to go home, their teacher, Alicia Peters, said the day went well. Everyone adjusted after a short cry, she said, and by 11 a.m. were ready to leave.
Children in the school's full-day class said they loved playing, coloring and learning.
"I'm happy about this school," Kaylee Heckeninger said. "I came to this school to do everything."
Citrus, Pasco and Hernando counties will roll out pre-K next week.
Parents can still register their children for state-funded prekindergarten. For information, call your local Early Learning Coaltion or visit www.vpkflorida.org Hillsborough, 813 470-4713
