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The Head Start program in Ambler has long called the community home, and after lease terms were accepted by Ambler Borough Council, it looks like the relationship will continue.
“They called this morning,” said Borough Manager Mary Aversa during the borough council’s meeting on June 18. “They usually rent one classroom. They have rented two in the past.”
A new lease for the coming 2024-25 school year was drafted, as the Montgomery County Intermediate Unit 23 (MCIU) wishes to keep the program housed in the borough’s building.
“We get two classrooms rented, and they’re good tenants,” said Aversa. “They follow the schools, so if they’re closed, we’re closed.”
Aversa added that the Head Start’s use of the classrooms is seasonal, since they are not in session over the summer. The supportive program runs 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, during the scheduled school year only. The program follows the Wissahickon School District’s schedule for open and closed dates.
“They’re not here much in the summer,” she said. “They come in for interviews for a week or two.”
Besides supporting the beneficial program, the borough is also able to earn funds from the rentals.
“They’re good tenants, and it is good income for the borough,” said Aversa.
Council approved the lease during its meeting unanimously.
The council is not the only supportive local entity, welcoming the program. The Wissahickon Public Library’s Children’s Services also provides free story time and activity sessions at the Ambler site.
“A librarian comes into the classroom to read stories and complete projects with the children on a monthly to bi-monthly basis,” said the MCIU site. “They also provide the classroom with incentive prizes and parties for participating in the 1000 Books Before Kindergarten Program.
The Ambler location of the Head Start Program was previously housed in Mattison Elementary School, which was closed in June of 2014 by the Wissahickon School Board. The Montgomery County-operated program is geared at giving young children, typically ages 3 to 5, a leg up before starting traditional public schooling.
“MCIU Head Start promotes the school readiness of young children from low-income families through agencies in their local community,” reads the program’s website. “Head Start programs support the mental, social, and emotional development of children from ages 3 to 5. In addition to education services, programs provide children and their families with health, nutrition, social, and other services.”
Funded from the federal level, the Head Start program is free to those approved for attendance.
“The program offers no-cost educational, nutritional, and social services that help children prepare for success in school,” said the site. “MCIU Head Start provides services to enrolled families, and also meets the needs of special populations, including children with disabilities.”
For more on the program and how to apply, visit https://mciu.org/office-of-early-childhood-services/head-start/.
