Q.  What year did Bethlehem Center start?

A.   In 1940 

Q.   Where do I apply for my 3 or 4 year to be in Head Start?

A.   If you are in Mecklenburg County you may call 1-866-788-6343 for information

Q.   Do you offer substance abuse counseling?

A.   We employ an on-site counselor who travels across Mecklenburg County delivering substance abuse programs.  At this time, we do not have a regular AA meeting; however, we are looking to bringing one back in the future.  For more information please call 704.371.6475

Q.   Does Bethlehem Center offer job opportunities?

A.   Yes, and we utilize careerbuilder.com to list any job openings we have available.

Q.   Is Bethlehem Center a church?

A.   No, but we are a mission agency of the United Methodist Church

Q.   How do I get my child into your after school program?

A.   You may call 704-375-1417 for information

Q.  ¿Hablas español?

A.  Sí, tenemos múltiples personal Hispanohablante. Llame 1-866-788-6343 para la ayuda. 

Q.  What do I do to find out if my child's bus is late?

A.  Please call our transportation office at  704-371-7417

Q. What are the hours for Extended Day?

A.  Extended Day is open from 7:00 a.m. - 5:45 p.m. Monday - Friday Year Round. We are also open all Teachers’ Workdays and some holidays

Q. What is the cost of the program?

A. It is based on your monthly income and the number of people in your immediate family (mother, father, children).

Q. Do you provide transportation to the Extended Day Program?

A. No, but there may be some exceptions.

Q. What ages do you serve?

A. We serve 3 and 4 year olds in our Head Start program.  In afterschool, we serve grades K-12, and upon graduation we keep up with many of our students through our college scholarship program.

Q. What are your hours of operation?

A. Head Start hours vary by location. The school-age program operates between the hours of 2:00 and 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday during the school year.  On teacher workdays and school vacation days, the program is opened from 8:30 to 3:30 Monday through Friday. Extended hours are available for working parents. The teen program operates from 5:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

Q. What are your fees?

A. We are happy to provide most programming for free.  Some programs, such as our resident camp, we ask for a small contribution from parents, either through volunteer hours or financially.

Q. Is your program licensed?

A. We are proud to carry a 5-star licensure at our BC Main center (afterschool) as well as our new Jennings Center (Head Start and future afterschool).  Other Head Start centers are licensed at various levels; however, it is our goal in the 2010-2011 school year to obtain 4-star licenses or above for all of our centers.

Q. How old does a child have to be in order to register for Head Start? 

A. A child should be at least 3 years of age on or before October 16th of the current enrollment year, 4 years of age or turning 5 years old after October 16th of the current enrollment year and is still too young for Public Kindergarten.

Q. What will I need in order to complete the application process? 

A. A certified copy of your child’s birth certificate, immunization record, and proof of family income for the last twelve months or the last taxable year.

Q. How does Head Start differ from CMS Pre-K Programs? 

A. Head Start focuses on the entire family and their individual needs.

Q. How are children selected for participation?

A. Through a formalized process of established selection criteria that ensures that children who have the greatest needs are selected first.