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The Ark Preschool

The Ark is the only state-accredited preschool for homeless children in Baltimore City. The school serves children between the ages of 3 and 5 years old and  provides a short-term preschool program that promotes children's development in all areas, emphasizing language and social skills.
Through our collaboration with Baltimore City Child Care Resource Center, we provide Head Start Service to our children and families. We help young children develop the skills they will need when they enter kindergarten. While at The Ark, Children receive:

• individual care and attention
• early childhood education designed to promote their development
• nutritionally balanced meals and snacks
• a safe and calm place where they can play and socialize

Children are referred to The Ark from a number of family shelter programs, including My Sister's Place, the Salvation Army, Karis House, Sarah's Hope, Mt. Street and Christ Lutheran Church. Some families are referred by treatment programs. Others hear about us from parents who have used our services.

Photo by Nancy Newman.

Program Services

All children must have had a recent physical before enrolling at The Ark. Our partnership with the Mercy's Children Health Outreach Program (M-CHOP) provides free physicals for children who need them.

Each child is screened with the Early Screening Inventory - Revised(ESI) within the first two weeks of enrollment. If developmental delays are detected, we refer children for evaluations and necessary services through Head Start. We continue to monitor developmental progress throughout a child's stay at The Ark.

• Children are served a nutritious breakfast, lunch and a snack each day.
• Dental care is also part of our routine, including a regular tooth-brushing time.
• Volunteers from the community, local colleges and universities provide help to each child.
• Transportation is provided to and from The Ark for children who are living in shelters.

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Location and Hours

The Ark is located in the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg GBMC Health Center at 1200 E. Fayette Street in Baltimore.

The program is open weekdays from 8:30 am to 2:45 pm.

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Links & Resources

• Baltimore City Child Care Resource Center (BCCCRC)
• 2007 Directory of Maryland Emergency Shelters and Transitional Housing Programs
• Baltimore City Department of Social Services
• Baltimore City Public Schools
• Homeless! in Baltimore, MD - Local discussion group about homelessness
  

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For further information, please contact

Nancy E. Newman, LCSW-C, Director | nnewman@ecsm.org
1200 E. Fayette St., Baltimore, MD 21202
phone (410) 522-1026 | fax (410) 558-0344