Qualifying families are invited to enroll in a state-funded preschool program at Cedarcreek in the Saugus Union School District.

The program runs Monday through Friday for about three hours. Eligibility is determined through gross family income and location within the school district.

“We give priority to all the 4-year-olds who enroll before Sept. 1, and if capacity isn’t filled by then, we can take 3-year-olds,” said Director Jacqueline Vasquez.

The children will be exposed to a Pearson core class curriculum that provides developmentally, culturally and linguistically appropriate material.

“We are a very child-based philosophy program. The kids will get a lot of hands on experience and guided learning,” Vasquez said. “We let the kids try things first, then teachers support them.”

The program is also going to provide meals for the pupils and referrals to health and social services for families.

The capacity at Cedarcreek is 48 children total, with one teacher for every eight pupils.

“There are three other programs that are enrolling for the preschool program,” said Vasquez. “Sulphur Springs, Newhall and Castaic also have programs.”

In order to register for the program, potential candidates must bring proof of income and proof of family size to the Cedarcreek administrative office to be processed.

“Child Protective Services families get first priority,” said Vasquez. “Then we sort all of the families by family size and income into a database and conduct individual family interviews.”

The program is funded by Chapter 308, Statutes of 2008 (AB 2759) and provides pre-kindergarten children and families with literacy education and general child care.