IACS Early Childhood Services
The IACS Early Childhood Enrichment services strengthen our immigrant families by engaging parents/caregiver and their children, helping them to thrive in their communities. Our culturally competent and inclusive approach is supported by multilingual and multicultural instructors, facilitators and counselors, who help families grapple with the many challenges they may face as immigrants and refugees. Our programs offer training and education for parents of young children ages 0-5 years on developmental milestones, screening and therapy. In addition to receiving screening support, families will progress in parent-child development addressing wellness, nutrition, enrichment, self-care, support groups and peer mentoring for parents and/or caregivers.
PROGRAMS AND SERVICES
HELP ME GROW – 0-3.5 years
IACS Help Me Grow Program is a weekly program that addresses early learning through music, movement and story time. Kids and their caregivers take part in activities that support early learning. IACS works with families with children from newborns to three-year-old and addresses parent-child relationships, wellness, nutrition, resource referrals, and self-care. The program also provides information to parents regarding developmental milestones, immigrant parenting challenges, and creates a safe space for families with toddlers to connect with one another providing experiences that support physical, social, emotional, cognitive, bilingual, and bicultural development.
Frequency of program - Weekly
@ Bellevue - Thursday @ 11.00 am – 12.00 pm
@ Kent - Tuesday @ 12.00 pm – 1.00 pm
DEVELOPMENTAL SCREENING PROGRAM
(Universal Development Screening)
IACS, in association with Best Start for Kids (BSK) provides free developmental screening and referral services for Asian Indian immigrant and refugee families with children aged 0-5 years throughout King County. This bi-annual screening allows for parents to make sure their child’s development is on track in addition to identifying any potential developmental delays or concerns using the Ages and Stages Questionnaires (ASQ screening tools). The program uses a culturally nuanced support service connecting the family to next steps ensuring resources, support and language assistance is also provided.
IACS PRE-K and KINDERGARDEN ENRICHMENT PROGRAM – 3.5-5 years
Helps families prepare their young children for success in school and life. This program reaches families in English and their regional languages (need based) weekly. Children and their caregivers take part in culturally nuanced, theme-based activities that include stories, music, arts and crafts that enhance the fine and gross motor skills to support children’s early learning. Community services, parenting education, and childcare resources are provided to help parents and caregivers raise healthy children. We operate this program in partnership with Best Starts for Kids.
Frequency of program - Weekly
@ Bellevue - Thursday @ 1.30 pm – 3.00 pm
CAREGIVERS
IACS recognizes the tremendous role caregivers play in providing cultural, social and emotional wellness to the children in their care. We strive to provide these caregivers a nurturing, healthy, and supportive environment, where they can address their needs too, in a safe space.
SUPPORT GROUP for CAREGIVERS
Weekly forums are conducted where caregivers interact with experts – who understand the cultural nuances of our community - providing them with information, resources, and support to strengthen their health and skills. Our goal is to guide them to be better at address their children’s physical, social-emotional, and cognitive development, and kindergarten readiness.
Frequency of program - Weekly
@ Bellevue - Thursday @ 12.00 pm – 1.00 pm
FOR APPOINTMENTS
Contact Us
Earlychildhood@iaww.org
(253) 234-9989 (Ext. 5)
WELLNESS for CAREGIVERS
Acknowledging that the health of the caregivers is an important component of childcare – we conduct weekly sessions of Bollywood Zumba, Yoga and Stretch-and-flex. Caregivers participate in fun workouts and address any health-related queries they have on an ongoing basis.
Frequency of program - Weekly
@ Bellevue - Thursday @ 10.00 am – 11.00 am
PARENT CAREGIVER INFORMATION SERVICES
IACS Parent Caregiver Information Services works with families and addresses parent child relationships and resource referrals.
PROGRAM LOCATIONS
Our programming takes place at the following locations, weekly.
@ Bellevue
Every Thursday
Located at North Bellevue Community Center
4063 148th Ave NE, Bellevue, WA 98007
10.00 am - 11.00 am - Wellness program for Caregivers
11.00 am - 12.00 pm - Help Me Grow – 0-3.5 years
12.00 pm – 1.00 pm - Support Group for Caregivers
1.30 pm - 3.00 pm - IACS Pre-K and Kindergarten Enrichment Program – 3.5-5 years
@ Kent
Every Tuesday
Located at 10210 SE 260th St, Kent, WA 98030
12.00 pm. – 1.00 pm - Help Me Grow – 0-3.5 years
"During this last year, IACS has continued to emerge as a strong pillar of strength for my family. IACS’s early childhood program has been there for my child and me. Together we learn new ways to play, make friends, read and do yoga together."
