BCSD Kindergarten, Head Start and CDEP Kick-Off
February 23, 2016
Berkeley County School District is hosting its ‘Kick-Off to Kindergarten” event Feb. 29- March 04. The district will begin registering three-, four-, and five-year olds for its early childhood programs for the 2016-17 school year. Programs include the Head Start program (K-3 and K-4), the Childhood Development Education Program (CDEP) (K-4) and Kindergarten (K-5).
“BCSD is already preparing for the arrival of our Kindergarten, Head Start and CDEP students, and we want to make sure that our families know that it time for registration,” said BCSD Deputy Superintendent Archie Franchini. “Advance registration helps the District and our schools prepare to meet the transportation needs of our new students, as well as planning for supplies and staffing to support and prepare these young minds for a bright future.”
The Head Start program is a full-day program open to Berkeley and Dorchester County children ages three and four, based on family income eligibility, needs assessment and space availability. Interested families should contact their area school to make an appointment with a Family Services Associate (FSA) who will assist them with the application process.
The CDEP program is open to Berkeley County four year-olds based on family income eligibility. To be eligible, children must be four years of age on or before Sept. 1. The Kindergarten program is open to all Berkeley County five-year olds. For the Kindergarten program, children must be five years of age on or before Sept. 1. Both programs are full-day programs.
During ‘Kick-Off to Kindergarten,’ schools will be open during normal hours for families to register their children. Those who do not know which school serves their area can call 843-899-8604. Appointments are required for Head Start registration. Appointments are not required for CDEP and Kindergarten registration.
When registering, parents will need to bring the following: a completed registration form; the student’s original birth certificate long form (student must be 3, 4 or 5 on or before September 1); a Medicaid number (if applicable); two proofs-of-residence with street address (utility bill, rental agreement, etc.); a South Carolina immunization form; applicable health records; records from previous schools; special education forms (if applicable); proof of guardianship (if student lives with someone other than parent); and proof of income (i.e., a 2015 tax return, paystubs, W-2 forms) for Head Start or CDEP registration eligibility.
Forms are available at each school, or on the district’s website at www.berkeley.k12.sc.us under ‘Parents,’ then click ‘here’ for the channel directory and select ‘Registration and Immunization Information.’ For information about the CDEP program, call 843-899-8604. For information about the Head Start program, call 843-553-5179.
