Birth to School Program

Welcome! Birth to School (BtS) is a CPCSC program designed to support parents/caregivers and their children birth-5 who live in our school district. We hope you will join us this year for FREE early learning opportunities!

Two-Parts to our Program

The Birth to School program is free for all CPCSC families! There are no enrollment or participation fees, and no supply lists! To enroll, please visit the link below.

Birth to School is available to all CPCSC families with children ages 0-5 years, prior to attending Kindergarten. We offer a variety of classes and events (with morning, afternoon, and evening times) for families to attend and participate in together. All lessons and activities are intentionally created to be hands-on and interactive, following Indiana’s Early Learning Foundations.

Our Kindergarten Readiness (KR) program is specifically created to be developmentally appropriate for children who will attend kindergarten the following school year and is available to all families who reside in the boundaries of any CPCSC elementary school. Enrollment in BtS is required for all KR participants.

Enroll in the Birth to School Program

Our Classes and Events

Birth to School offers five different classes/events with various session days and times on a rotating schedule. Each class is offered monthly. Prior registration for each class session or event is required!

Little Learners: (formerly “Baby/Mini”) 45-60 minute sessions for children 0-5 years with suggested developmental age ranges (Baby 0-17m; Toddler 18-35m, Preschool 3-5 years). These classes include whole-group storytime, circle time, and music & movement; and independent exploratory play where parents/caregivers and children visit and participate in a variety of learning stations together. Learning focus, themes and activities change monthly.
Milestones Matter: (formerly “Caregiver Cafe”) This 60-minute session focuses on parents/caregivers, and children 0-5 years are welcome to attend and interact with their peers. Parents/caregivers have the opportunity to meet other parents/caregivers and receive information on a variety of child development topics. Refreshments are served. Themes and discussion topics change monthly and community partners or guest speakers frequently attend.
Learn Through Play: A family fun night, open-house style evening event for children 0-5 years along with parents/caregivers- this extended time (120 minutes) allows families to “come when you can; leave when you need to” and participate in developmentally appropriate & thematic activities stations, which provide a variety of hands-on learning experiences through play. School-aged siblings are welcome to attend, too! Themes and activities change monthly.
Imaginarium: Much like Learn Through Play, Imaginarium allows families to “come when you can; leave when you need to”, but during school day hours. Imaginarium features a variety of learning stations for discovery play and sensory exploration for children 0-5 years to visit at their own place, alongside their parents/caregivers. Themes and activities change monthly.
Kindergarten Readiness: A series of classes for 4-5 year old children entering kindergarten the following year, alongside parents/caregivers. Each session includes fun learning activities in various subjects to assist families prepare for kindergarten and meet future classmates. Two KR classes with two different lessons are held monthly, and each KR class has multiple days/times available. Enrollment in Birth to School is required!

FAQs

What is Birth to School?

Birth to School is a system of support for families residing within the boundaries of the Crown Point Community School Corporation with children 0-5 years old, not yet in Kindergarten. We offer a variety of FREE classes & events, including early learning opportunities, family fun nights, child development & parent/caregiver resources, developmental screenings, and more. BtS is not preschool or daycare, and we do not offer drop-off services. Parents/caregivers attend and participate alongside their child(ren) at each class or event.

What is the BtS mission?

I live outside CPCSC boundaries. Can my child participate?

How can I help the BtS program?

We welcome community and business partners to work with us in the following ways: sponsoring events, providing food or giveaway donations and gift cards, sharing resources with families, and posting or distributing information about Birth to School in the community. We also welcome volunteers to assist with activities at our events. BtS is proud to partner with CPHS- where students earn community service hours (a graduation requirement) for their volunteer work. If you are interested in supporting our growing program, please contact Birth to School Coordinator, Jamie Kalk at jkalk@cps.k12.in.us.

Stay Connected!

Find us on Facebook! CPCSC Birth to School
Questions? Email Birth to School Coordinator, Jamie Kalk at jkalk@cps.k12.in.us

Community Resources

The goal of First Steps is to help Hoosier families make sure their infants and toddlers receive services now to help them in the future. Services through First Steps are designed to meet the developmental needs of the child; Except in limited circumstances, First Steps does not provide services to meet medical needs.

We understand it is not always easy to recognize if your child is reaching his or her milestones for their age group. Some children may appear to be behind with speech progression, physical movements, or their attention span. http://www.indianafirststeps.org/

2-1-1 is a free and confidential service that helps Indiana residents find the local resources they need. Speak with a Community Navigator 24/7/365

Phone: Dial 2-1-1 or 1-866-211-9966 (available 24/7)

Text: Text your ZIP code to 898-211 (available Mon-Fri 8am-5pm)

Northwest Indiana Community Action provides an online directory of community resources. http://www.nwi211.com/

All Mental Health America of Lake County home visiting programs use the evidence-based Parents as Teachers curriculum to deliver the latest development-centered parenting information. The program model embraces the assumption that the child’s home is the first and most influential learning model.

The earliest years of a child’s life are critical for optimal development and provide the foundation for success in school and life. Working with parents of very young children is an opportunity to promote children’s readiness for school and set children on the path for school and life success.

To connect with Parents as Teachers call Vickie at 219.736.4955 x118 or email info@mhalakecounty.org.

Healthy Families is a nationally-recognized, evidence-based home visiting program promoting positive parenting interactions and child development in vulnerable families with children age 0-3. It is the largest evidence-based home visitation program in Lake County and the United States. To learn more about this beneficial program visit our Healthy Families page.

To connect with Healthy Families call Amber at 219.736.4955 x206 or email info@mhalakecounty.org.

Mental Health America of Lake County’s Infant Safe Sleep program was introduced in 2007, in response to the increase in child fatalities due to positional asphyxiation throughout the state. The infant safety risk continues to plague our community, as one cause of infant mortality. Lake County has significantly higher rates of infant mortality than its neighboring counties, and Indiana ranks fifth nationally for infant mortality. MHA’s infant safe sleep program promotes safe sleep practices to vulnerable families to reduce the incidence of SIDS. Participants complete safe sleep educational training and receive a portable pack ‘n play, with infant insert, for baby to sleep in until the age of one.

To find out if you qualify or to refer someone to the infant safe sleep program call Carol at 219.736.4955 x108 or email info@mhalakecounty.org.

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