Eligibility
Applications for children under the age of 5 years are accepted year-round.
To be eligible, families must meet federal poverty income guidelines (see table 1), however an exception may be made for children with disabilities whose families are slightly over the income threshold. Children from foster families and families experiencing homelessness are automatically eligible.
All Kids Academy participates in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) and is an equal opportunity provider. CACFP is a state and federally funded program that provides financial aid to licensed child care centers for food expenses. The objectives of the program are to improve the diets of children in our care by providing nutritious, well-balanced meals, and to develop good eating habits in children that will last through later years.
The agency adheres to USDA compliance, including non-discrimination measures. The full USDA Nondiscrimination Statement can be found under the Parent Resources located under the News and Resources tab, or click here to read in English, Spanish or Arabic.
2022 POVERTY GUIDELINES FOR THE 48 CONTIGUOUS STATES AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
| Persons in family/household | Poverty guideline |
| 1 | $14,580 |
| 2 | $19,720 |
| 3 | $24,860 |
| 4 | $30,000 |
| 5 | $35,140 |
| 6 | $40,280 |
| 7 | $45,420 |
| 8 | $50,560 |
For families/households with more than 8 persons, add $5,140 for each additional person.
Table 1. 2023 Poverty Guidelines for the 48 contiguous states and the District of Columbia. Adapted from “HHS Poverty Guidelines for 2023” by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), 2023, January 19, https://aspe.hhs.gov/topics/poverty-economic-mobility/poverty-guidelines
Head Start
(preschool ages 3-5)
Classroom instruction is provided by a trained, experienced, degreed teacher and supported by at least one teacher assistant. Classroom size is 15 - 20 children.
Part Day Option
Operations are four days a week for 3½ hours a day. Morning and Afternoon options available. Classes run from September through June. Classroom size in no more than 17 children per classroom. Breakfast and Lunch are provided for Morning (AM) option. Lunch and Snack are provided for Afternoon (PM) option.
Full Day Option
Program operates five days a week for 8 hours a day. Classes run from September through June. Our Head Start and State Preschool Program funding provides the extended hours this option provides. Families must meet eligibility criteria and State certification, Breakfast, Lunch and Snack are provided.
Head Start Wrap Program
All Kids Academy is in partnership with the Lemon Grove School District to offer services at three centers on school district campuses. Operation hours and the program calendar is contingent on the district.
Home Based Option
Home visits are conducted weekly by a degreed, skilled, home visitor. Lessons are jointly planned between the parent and home visitor, with the focus being on the parent conducting activities with their child. A group socialization is scheduled two times a month, where lunch is provided and an activity is planned. This offers children the opportunity to develop their socialization skills and families can develop and foster relationships.
Research has linked stronger outcomes from children who attended a full day Head Start or Early Head Start program. Therefore, all center-based Early Head Start options offer no less than the recommended 1,380 hours of service.
Early Head Start
(birth to 3 years of age)
Research shows children 18 months to 3 years of age benefit with at least 1,380 hours of center based Early Head Start service. Classroom instruction is provided by two trained, experienced, degreed teachers, one of which is assigned a teacher assistant role. Class room size is maintained at no more than eight children, one teacher for every four children.
Full Day Option
Operations are for four days a week for eight hours per day. Services begin in August and end in June. Program operates for five days a week for 8 hours a day. Classes run from September through June. All children are provided with Breakfast, Lunch and Snack.
Home Based Option
Home visits are conducted weekly by a degreed, skilled, home visitor. Lessons are jointly planned between the parent and home visitor, with the focus being on the parent conducting activities with their child. A group socialization is scheduled two times a month, where lunch is provided and an activity is planned. This offers children the opportunity to develop their socialization skills and families can develop and foster relationships.
Know that you are not alone. All families are welcome. We don’t care what your situation is. You have someone here to help you.
Yolanda Perez
Executive Director