Who We Are:

 

Arkansas Early Learning (AEL) was established to serve the most vulnerable children ages birth to five and their families throughout the State of Arkansas.  AEL provides a variety of comprehensive services that address individual needs, promote school readiness and future success, beginning with programs for pregnant mothers that continue through the child(ren)s transition into Kindergarten.  This is accomplished through parent involvement and parent partnerships to support the development of their child(ren).

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Who We Serve:

 

Arkansas Early Learning serves children ages 0 to 5 years old in a family-friendly childcare setting.  AEL currently operates 24 centers which include 11 partner sites, 13 AEL operated sites, 2 Central Offices, and 1 warehouse for a total of 27 locations.  These quality Head Start and Early Head Start programs are located in Bentonville, Bryant, Gentry, Harrisburg, Hot Springs, Jacksonville, Jonesboro, Marked Tree, Newport, North Little Rock, Rogers, Paragould, Springdale, West Memphis, and Wynne, Arkansas. 

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Arkansas Early Learning is a quality early education childcare program and is inclusive of children with disabilities and is licensed under the "Child Care Facility Licensing Act" through the Arkansas Department of Human Services, Division of Child Care, and Early Childhood Education.

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To be eligible for HS/EHS, an applicant must be determined age and income or categorically eligible as per the following:

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Age Eligibility:

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• Pregnant women (any age)

• Birth to under 3 years old (EHS)

• Child must be 3 years old by the program entrance date (HS)

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Income Eligibility:

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To qualify, a family's gross annual income must be at or below the mandated Poverty Guidelines.  

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Categorical Eligibility:

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A family is eligible in any of the following categories, regardless of total gross income:

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• An applicant is placed in 24-hour out-of-home Foster Care

• Applicant or family member living with and supported by the child's parent(s) or guardian(s) and is receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

• Family is experiencing homelessness as defined by the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act