Now Enrolling Children Aged 2 to 5 Years
Are you seeking enriching Early Care And Education Programs for your child in Imperial County? Imperial County Office of Education (ICOE) Early Care and Education Programs (ECEP) offers a variety of options designed to support your child’s development and prepare them for future success. We are currently accepting applications for preschool programs for children aged 2 to 5 years across Imperial County. Explore our State Preschool, Head Start, and Early Head Start programs to find the perfect fit for your family.
Alt text: State Preschool Program Enrollment Banner: Text reads “State Preschool, Now Enrolling, Apply Today, Child Ages 3-4, Free or Low Cost Program, Apply Online”
State Preschool Program: Building a Foundation for Learning
Our State Preschool Program provides a nurturing and stimulating environment where young learners can thrive. This program is designed for children aged 3 and 4 and focuses on fostering essential skills in literacy, math, science, and social-emotional development. By engaging in play-based learning and teacher-guided activities, children in our State Preschool program build a strong foundation for kindergarten and beyond.
For detailed information about our State Preschool Program and how to enroll your child, please click here.
Ready to apply? Apply Online today!
Alt text: Head Start and Early Head Start Enrollment Banner: Text reads “ECEP Enrolling Head Start & Early Head Start, Serving Birth to 5 Years, Comprehensive Services, Apply Today”
Head Start & Early Head Start Programs: Comprehensive Support for Children and Families
ECEP’s Head Start and Early Head Start programs offer comprehensive services to support the holistic development of children from birth to age 5, as well as their families. Head Start focuses on school readiness, providing educational, nutritional, health, and social services to preschool-aged children from low-income families. Early Head Start serves infants, toddlers, and pregnant women, promoting healthy development from the earliest stages of life. These programs emphasize family engagement and community partnerships to create a supportive ecosystem for children’s growth.
Discover more about our Head Start and Early Head Start services and application process by clicking here.
Begin your application journey now: Apply Online
Your One-Stop Resource for Child Care Needs in Imperial County
ICOE Early Care and Education Programs (ECEP) has been a trusted resource for Imperial County families since 1980. We are dedicated to connecting families with high-quality early care and education opportunities. ECEP provides a wide array of services beyond preschool, acting as a central hub for child care support in the region.
Our comprehensive services include:
- California State Preschool Program: Providing enriching preschool experiences for 3- and 4-year-olds.
- Federal Head Start and Early Head Start Programs: Offering extensive support for children from birth to 5 and their families.
- Resource and Referral Program: Assisting parents in finding child care options and providing information on quality early education.
- Local Planning Council: Addressing child care needs and planning for the future of early childhood services in Imperial County.
- Alternative Payment Program: Helping eligible families access affordable child care options.
ECEP is committed to empowering parents to make informed decisions about their children’s early education. We offer free child care referrals and valuable information to help you choose the best early learning environment for your child. For income-eligible families, we can also help identify low-cost or subsidized child care programs within Imperial County.
Visit Our Main Office for Personalized Assistance
Alt text: ECEP Logo: Blue and green circular logo with stylized figures of children and text “ECEP Early Care & Education Programs”
Imperial County Office of Education
1398 Sperber Road
El Centro, CA 92243
Contact Us:
Michael Castillo
Senior Director, Early Care & Education Programs
Ernestina Hernandez
Administrative Assistant
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (760) 312-6431
Fax: (760) 312-6198
Find Child Care Referrals Online
Looking for immediate child care referrals? Utilize our online database to locate preschools, child care centers, and family child care homes in Imperial County.
Alt text: Green “Got Child Care?” Button: Button with text “Got Child Care?” and a link to online child care referrals.
Program Contact Information
For specific inquiries regarding our programs, please refer to the contact information below:
| Contact Information for Specific Programs | Phone Number | Fax Number |
|---|---|---|
| Alternative Payment Program | (760) 312-6442 | (760) 312-6577 |
| Center Based Programs | (760) 312-6466 | (760) 312-6198 |
| Early Head Start Programs | (760) 312-6594 | (760) 312-6198 |
| Head Start Programs | (760)312-6148 | (760)312-6198 |
| Resource and Referral Program | (760) 312-6544 or toll-free at (888) 420-3220 | (760) 312-6198 |
| Imperial County Early Care & Education Planning Council | (760) 312-6604 | (760) 312-6198 |
This website is supported by Grant Number 09CH012881 from the Office of Head Start within the Administration for Children and Families, a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Neither the Administration for Children and Families nor any of its components operate, control, are responsible for, or necessarily endorse this website (including, without limitation, its content, technical infrastructure, and policies, and any services or tools provided). The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed are those of the Imperial County Office of Education and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Administration for Children and Families and the Office of Head Start.
