Home • Housing • Nakenu • Health Clinic • Dental Clinic • Tyotkas • Vision Statement • Fishery • Tribal Codes • Employment • Environmental • Social Services • Early Childhood Center • Family Services • Yaghanen • Title VII • Archives • K'Beq' • Educational Services • Kenaitze.com
Address
Kenaitze Indian Tribe
P.O. Box 988
Kenai, AK 99611
Phone: (907) 283-3633
Fax: (907) 283-3052
Kenaitze Cuya Qyut'anen Early Childhood Center
The Kenaitze Indian Tribe's Early Childhood Center program offers a center-based pre-school for children ages 3-5 years of age. The program is based on child/family needs and preferences. The program operates as a partial day program from 8 am - 12:30 pm, Tuesday through Friday, 128 days per year. Children are provided breakfast and snack each day. Each classroom has an early childhood teacher and teacher aide on staff.
Our Early Childhood Center program uses our own locally developed curriculum which incorporates Creative Curriculum and Head Start Child Outcomes Framework and embraces the Tribe's Cultural Heritage Program. We have integrated the Dena'ina language into our classrooms with daily lessons and twice a week we have cultural specialists visit each class for even more in depth learning.
Family support and involvement are key areas of focus for our program. We have Parent meetings for each classroom monthly and a Parent Policy Council which guides our program. We offer family activity nights and events that vary according to the wishes and needs of our families. Teachers complete at least two home visits and our Family Service Partners meets with each family twice as well.
Community partnerships are vital to the well-being of Early Childhood Center children and families and management staff dedicates time to community outreach and coordination. The Early Childhood Center works collaboratively with numerous community agencies.
The Early Childhood Center program serves 20-23 children each year that have special needs. The most prevalent special need is speech/language delay. We also work with our Nakenu Family Center programs to offer services to those children that have special behavioral needs. Each year four to six children qualify for mental health services. These children have one-on-one mental health personnel called Individual Skills Providers in the classroom to help them with emotional/behavioral needs.
Early Childhood Center provides on-site dental screenings and fluoride treatments twice per year, through a cooperative agreement with the Dena'ina Dental clinic. In cooperation with the Kenai Public Health Center and Frontier Community Services all children have health screening tests. These include audiometer testing, impedance testing, Snellen eye chart, and photo screening. Children participate in active play at least three days per week for a minimum 20 minute time frame. Nutrition services are also provided.
The Family Service Department assists the families of our Kenaitze Early Childhood Center students. Family Services meet with the individual families in the beginning of the school year to help the families recognize their strengths and to build on them. We help families to set goals and work out plans to accomplish these goals.
We offer classes to help parents with various skills including parenting, budgeting, homemaking, car care, emergency preparedness, computer, employment, family history, and building relationships. We offer classes based on the family and community needs; this can change from year to year. We also encourage Kenaitze Early Childhood Center parents to share their skills by teaching classes, if they have the desire. We have socials throughout the year that help to bring families and staff together. All of our classes are available to the community.
The Kenaitze Early Childhood Center uses the Project ACHIEVE - Stop & Think Social Skills Program. This curriculum in integrated daily into classroom lessons and has developed into a school wide positive behavior self-management program for our students. These posters are placed around our building and you will be hearing these phrases from your children!
In addition to these self-management skills, each classroom works on specific skills each month. As needed, teachers modify the schedule depending on how the class is doing, perhaps moving forward early or spending extra time on particular skills. The following is the outline our classes use:
September – Stop and Think intro / Listening Skill
October – Following Directions Skill
November – Asking for Directions Skill
December – Waiting for Your Turn Skill
January – Asking to Share Skill
February – Using Brave Talk Skill
March – Interrupting Skill
April – Agreeing to Share Skill
May – Review of all Skill learned
Frequently Asked Questions
Do we have to be Native to have our child in Kenaitze Indian Early Childhood Center?
No, we serve the needs of many children including low income families and children with disabilities in addition to Alaska Native and American Indian children.
How much does it cost?
There is NO charge.
What do I need to do to get my child into Early Childhood Center?
Pick up an application, fill it our completely, return all necessary documentation: Child's Birth Certificate, immunization record, income verification, Certificate of Indian Blood (if applicable).
You can pick up an application at 130 North Willow in Kenai, or you may download a copy of the application PFD format, 56KB).
Do you provide transportation?
At this time we are not able to provide transportation services.
Do the children have to come every day?
As with all education and development, consistency is important. When absenteeism is unavoidable, the parents need to call in prior to 8:00 am. If a child's attendance falls below 85%, an Attendance Agreement is developed to help families improve attendance. Children have, in the past, been dropped for attendance issues.
Do I need to send food with my child?
No, we provide breakfast and snack for the children.
What if my child is sick?
If your child is at school and gets sick, we will call you. If your child is home and too sick to come, please call us before 8:00am. In the event your child runs a fever, we ask that he or she be kept home until they have maintained a normal temperature for 24 hours. If your child is very ill and misses three days, you will need to provide a doctor's note upon returning to ensure that your child is well enough to return to school and verify the absence.
What training do the teachers have?
All of our teachers are trained in, or receiving training in early childhood development. The current minimum requirement for teacher is a CDA in Early Childhood Development. In 2011 the minimum will be an A.A. in Early Childhood, and by 2013 the requirement will be a B.A. in Early Childhood.
Can I have more than one child enrolled?
Yes, however, they will probably not be in the same classroom.
Do the classes offered by Family Services cost to attend?
No, all of our classes are free.
What about my children, do I need to get a sitter to attend the classes?
Usually we are able offer childcare free of charge; however, you must register ahead of time so that we have enough staff on hand for childcare. During most of our social events, the children stay with their parents. Occasionally, we will have a social for the parents to enjoy without the children, and then we offer childcare for the children.
What if I work during the day? Do you offer classes and or socials in the evenings as well?
We offer classes and socials on different days and evenings to try to accommodate the different schedules people have.
KIT Links
- Home
- Housing
- Health Services:
Nakenu Family Center • Dena'ina Health Clinic • Dena'ina Dental Clinic - Tyotkas Elder Services
- Tribal Vision Statement
- Tribal Educational Fishery
- Tribal Codes
- Current Job Openings
- Environmental Program
- Social Services
- Early Childhood Center & Family Services:
Early Childhood Center • Family Services - Cultural & Education:
Yaghanen Youth Programs • Title VII Program • Ts'itsatna Tribal Archives • K'Beq' Interpretive Site • Educational Services
Other Links
Contact Early Childhood Center
130 North Willow Street
Kenai, AK 99611
Phone: (907) 283-0707
Fax: (907) 283-5898