Early Childhood Education Programs

HOW TO APPLY:
Parent(s) may apply at the DSUSD District
Educational Center, ECE Office located at
47-950 Dune Palms Rd. in La Quinta. Please
call for directions:
(760) 771-8677 or (760) 771-8678
Bring the following information to complete a
preschool application:

Child’s Birth Certificate

Child’s Immunization Record (yellow
card)

Verification of income for the past 12
months such as pay stub(s) with a yearto-date total and your 2014 Income
Tax report. Additional financial verification may be required depending on
the program. Income guidelines
determine placement in the appropriate
Early Childhood Education Program.

Notice of Action and/or Medi-Cal, WIC
card if applicable

Child’s social security card if applicable

Additional documentation may be
required.
Our Mission
The mission of Desert Sands Unified School
District Early Childhood Education Programs
is a whole child and family approach. It is to
ensure that all children and families acquire
skills necessary to succeed in their life long
learning process by providing a respectful,
secure, stimulating environment and to
facilitate transitions and educational choices
by being supportive of the diversity,
individual needs and aspirations.
Desert Sands Unified School District
Early Childhood Education Programs
47-950 Dune Palms Rd.
La Quinta, CA 92253
Head Start (760) 771-8678
State Preschool (760) 771-8677
Child Development Center (760) 238-9706
http://www.dsusd.k12.ca.us/ECE
Early Childhood
Education Programs
Head Start Preschool
California State Preschool
Desert Sands Unified School District
Early Childhood Education Programs
Desert Sands Unified School District
(DSUSD) operates two Preschool
Programs: Head Start Preschool Program
and California State Preschool Program
(CSPP). These programs are available to
children and families residing in the
DSUSD boundaries. Our classrooms are
located in Indio, La Quinta, and Palm
Desert.
Teaching staff is fully credentialed
through the Commission on Teacher
Credentialing. The support staff is well
trained and knowledgeable of community
resources, Mental Health, Social
Services, Health and Nutrition.
Families are the first and most important
teachers in a child’s life.
Eligibility
Head Start: Children born between
September 2, 2011 through September
1, 2012 are eligible if they meet the
federal income guidelines. A family of
4 members may make an annual salary
of $24,300. Head Start guidelines require 10% of the enrollment slots be
reserved for children diagnosed with
disabilities.
CSPP Part Day: Children born
between September 2, 2011 through
September 1, 2012 are eligible based on
income guidelines. A family of 4 members
may make an annual salary of $46,896.
Priority is given to the lowest income and
children who are referred by Child
Protective Services.
Head Start: Head Start is a Federally
funded program. There are six part-day
classrooms, four full-day classrooms and a
Home Based program offered during the
traditional school year.
State Preschool: California State
Preschool Program is funded by the Early
Education & Support Division of California
Department of Education. There are four
part day classrooms and one full day
classroom located at the Child
Development Center.
CSPP Full Day: Children born
between September 2, 2011 through
September 1, 2012 are eligible for full
day preschool based on need such
as if their parent(s) are in a training
program and/or working and meet the
income guidelines. Priority is given to the
lowest income and children who are
referred by Child Protective Services.
Transportation is not provided.
Transportation resources are provided
upon request.
Our ECE programs operate on a nondiscriminatory basis, giving equal treatment
and access to services without regards to
race, creed, color, religion, sex, national
origin, ancestry or handicapping condition.
Please note: State law requires
families with children enrolled in full
day CSPP to be assessed a family
fee in accordance with current Family
Fee Schedule is based on family
income, family size, and children or
siblings enrolled in other programs
that have a fee.
We promote social, emotional, physical,
and educational needs of children in a safe
and healthy environment. We focus on
Developmentally Appropriate Practices
offering a research based curriculum that
foster play, language and literacy.