LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – While nearly 10,000 children in grades kindergarten through 12 head back to school in Lake County this month, hundreds of early childhood educators are gearing up to prepare our younger students for future school success.

While preschool is not considered part of the public education system in California, a vast body of research demonstrates that early education matters.

Early childhood provides a window of opportunity to dramatically shape a child’s brain when it is rapidly developing, and quality early childhood programs help children develop the linguistic, cognitive, social and emotional building blocks that help them succeed in school.

Choosing the right early education experience for your child can be confusing, as there are many different options.

The following are preschool options available in Lake County.

Head Start

Head Start has four sites in Lake County: Lakeport, Upper Lake and two in Clearlake. Head Start serves children 3-5 years of age in a full day preschool setting. The program is free for income-qualifying families. To find out about openings and the application process, call 707-462-3403, extension 121.

Although not a preschool program, Early Head Start has one Lake County site in Lakeport. The program provides care for children 6 weeks to 3 years of age in a full-day, year-round child development center. The federally funded program is free for those who qualify.

Early Head Start also offers a home-base option for children 0-3 and expectant mothers. Weekly home visits are provided to assist parents with educational information, activities, community resources and services. For more information on either program or to obtain an application, call 707-262-1379.

State preschools

Early Connection Preschools

Lake County Office of Education offers part-day preschool programs, called Early Connection Preschools on or near several elementary schools throughout Lake County: Middletown, Lakeport, Kelseyville, Lower Lake, Clearlake, and Lucerne.

Early Connection Preschools serve children 4-5 years of age in a part-day preschool setting. The program is free or reduced for income-qualifying families – depending on income level requirements.

To find out more about the program, openings and the application process, call 707-263-4563, or visit www.lakecoe.org > For Students and Parents > Child Development Programs, where you can also find information on the after school programs offered at school sites through Lake County Office of Education.

The Learning House

The Learning House offers a full day state preschool program in a beautiful, yet convenient, rural setting in Clearlake. The program is free or reduced for income-qualifying families – depending on income level requirements. The Learning House also has programs for infants and toddlers, as well as after school. To find out more about the program, openings and the application process, call 707-995-2076.

Yuba Child Development Center

Yuba Child Development center offers a part-day state preschool program conveniently located onsite at the Yuba College Clearlake campus. The program is offered 8:30 a.m. to noon, Monday through Friday, and is open to student families and non-student families alike. The program is free or reduced for income-qualifying families – depending on income level requirements. To find out more about the program, openings and the application process, call 707-995-7909.

Private centers

There are a number of private preschool programs available throughout Lake County as well, including:

Coyote Valley Preschool in Hidden Valley Lake; Alphabet Soup Preschool in Middletown, Sugar Pine Preschool in Cobb; and Lakeport Christian Center Preschool in Lakeport. Private centers often cater to the needs of their unique communities, and can offer very special programs for families and their children. Programs vary depending on the center. To find out about the private centers listed above, or other programs in your area, contact North Coast Opportunities, Resource and Referral at 707-263-4688, Extension 13.

Family child care

Lake County is also home to a variety of family child care programs. Rates and services vary per location. Many family child care homes offer dynamic programs and enhanced flexibility for families. For a list of family child care homes that meet your needs, contact North Coast Opportunities, Resource and Referral at 707-263-4688, Extension 13.

Transitional Kindergarten

Transitional Kindergarten is a new program that offers children with birthdays between September and December a developmentally appropriate curriculum aligned with kindergarten standards, taught by credentialed teachers at elementary schools. Transitional Kindergarten was created by a new California law called the Kindergarten Readiness Act. Districts have three years to fully implement the program, and current programs vary throughout the county. For more information on Transitional Kindergarten and the specific program in your district, contact Shelly Mascari at Lake County Office of Education at 707-262-4162.

According to research reported by Science Magazine and Preschool California, children who attend high quality preschool programs score better on reading and math achievement tests, are less likely to be placed in special education, are less likely to be held back a grade, and are more likely to graduate from high school. If you would like more information on child care in Lake County, including how to identify a quality child care program, visit the Lake County Child Care Planning Council at www.lakecountychildcareplanning.com .