"the People's Paths!" Cherokee News Path - CN Early Childhood Unit Accepting Applications

TAHLEQUAH, OKLAHOMA – The Cherokee Nation Early Childhood Unit is currently accepting enrollment applications for children 0-5 years of age and pre-enrollment applications for the 2007-2008 school year. Children entering the three- and four-year-old programs must turn three-years-old by September 1 of the current academic year.

“The Cherokee Nation is proud to offer Head Start services to our young Cherokees,” said Chad Smith, Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation. “It’s a great place for our youngest citizens to obtain wonderful child care and have an opportunity to learn about their Cherokee heritage at the same time. Education is very important to the Cherokee Nation, which is why our Early Childhood Unit is more than a day care. It truly is a head start to early education.”

Head Start and Early Head Start are comprehensive development programs. The Early Childhood Unit seeks to implement American Indian tradition by employing Cherokee culture and language into the daily curriculum of the children. The program also provides services in education, physical fitness, health, nutrition and social development. Children with special needs are encouraged to apply and are given priority. Cherokee Nation ECU does not discriminate based on race, color, nationality, sex or disability.

All applications must include a Certificate of Degree of Indian Blood (CDIB) card, a social security card (optional), a current immunization record, a state certified birth certificate, and a current verification of income for the household. Income verifications can include check stubs that are less than 30 days old, tax records, W-2 forms or a TANF statement. In order for an application to be considered complete, all documents must be submitted.

Applicants are encouraged to submit an application and all documentation as soon as possible. Once a center is at full capacity, applicants will be placed on a waiting list. For more information about the Early Childhood Unit in your community, call 918-458-4393.