The federal government offers Early Reading First to help children get a head start on literacy. Their goal is to help improve the comprehensive and cognitive literacy skills of young children. According to the website Federal Grants Wire, the funds for this grant must be used to help a young child's language, reading and cognitive skills. This can be done through providing instructional materials and curriculum for teachers, creating a literacy-rich environment for children to work in and by improving early childhood centers that already exist. Groups eligible for the Early Reading First grant are schools that are already eligible for the Reading First State sub-grant, as well as both public and private organizations that work on behalf of preschools.
The Head Start program gives children the chance to get ahead in their education, beginning with preschool. This grant helps low-income children, including those in rural areas and on federally recognized reservations, get the education they deserve. The grant funds can be used to help with nutrition, education, social, health and other services that might be relevant in the classroom. Requirements to apply for the Head Start grant include 90% of the students enrolled in the program being below the federal poverty line, the exception being that if the school can prove they provide for the whole community, then up to 45% of the students can be above the poverty line. The Head Start program benefits children from birth until they enter the public school system.
This federally funded grant is available to help special education children get the help and education they deserve. The funds are used to help implement early intervention systems within the classrooms to help make sure each child is learning to their full potential. Preschool classrooms benefit from special education grants because it allows for actions to be taken early to accommodate each child's particular needs. Funds for this grant can be used directly for services for special needs children, or they can be used in the classroom to help improve the disabilities services at early learning centers. All 50 states as well as United States territories including Guam, American Samoa, and the Virgin Islands are eligible to apply for this grant.