AREA CHILD CARE CENTERS AWARDED STATE GRANTS

Five area school districts and private preschools have been selected to receive state grants to begin or expand early childhood education programs for 3- and 4-year-olds.

The announcement came Wednesday from the office of Gov. Bob Holden.

The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education recently awarded $4.4 million in "Missouri Preschool Projects" grants for the coming school year. The recipients were 23 school districts and 20 private preschools throughout Missouri.

The grants awarded depended on the size of the local program and the number of children to be served. Nearly 100 private and public schools applied for this year's round of grants.

"We are continuing the statewide effort to give Missouri families and children greater access to high-quality preschool programs," Holden said in a released statement. "This program is bringing better services to many smaller school districts and rural communities."

Three other area schools were selected to receive smaller grants to support staff-training activities for personnel in existing preschool programs.

"High-quality preschool is a smart investment in children's learning, health and readiness for school, and it can be invaluable for families," Holden said.

Missouri Preschool Project Grants

New or Expanding Programs

ABC-123 Learning Center, Cape Girardeau

Early Learning Center, Oran

Gentle Child Care/Learning Center, Poplar Bluff

Scott County Central School District, Sikeston

Tots Are Us Day Care, Perryville

Professional Development Grants

A Step at a Time Preschool, Cape Girardeau

Just Kids Learning Development Center, Jackson

Miss Darlene's Preschool and Day Care, Sikeston