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Early Childhood Education

The ICOACH preschool program makes it possible for refugee and immigrant children from ages 3-5 to build school preparation skills. We first start by offering transportation to all the children to and from preschool to ensure every child has the opportunity to participate. The program includes social/emotional, pre-literacy/literacy, physical activity, language, and other cognitive developmental activities to help preschool children be prepared to start kindergarten confidently and progress successfully.

Our purpose is to provide quality research-based early childhood development critical for children to thrive academically and socially, especially for those families adapting to a new culture and life. We serve families mostly from the Congolese Refugee Community in the Des Moines metro area who are facing cultural barriers. The program supports: 1) healthy children by following state regulated lunch menus and physical activities; 2) children ready to succeed in school by providing high standard academic and social curriculum; 3) safe and supportive communities by having our teachers trained in CPR, first aid, mandatory reporting, and universal precautions; 4) secure and nurturing families in that ICOACH embraces and supports the entire family through multiple programs; 5) secure and nurturing early learning environments by providing continuity of care and keeping up with DHS standards as well as looking to continuously improve the quality of our care and support in the future. There is an urgent need for this program because this program addresses the cultural needs of the family while other preschool programs in central Iowa do not.

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