ALPENA — One local preschool program is expanding its hours for children and families, thanks to a large grant.

The Northeast Michigan Community Service Agency was awarded a $3.9 million grant to extend the Head Start preschool program from half days to full days. The grant will be used to convert the program in counties throughout Michigan, Tricia Grifka, early childhood services director for NEMCSA, said.

Grifka said research shows that extended hours of preschool make for better outcomes for children. Having a full day of preschool will help preschoolers learn social and emotional skills that are needed to get along in a group setting. They will also gain cognitive development skills.

“It takes time to provide those learning opportunities and to get children ready for school,” Grifka said. “Being part of the routine of a full day will only help that.”

The extension of the school day will help parents, as well. They won’t have to arrange for pick-up and drop-off for the full day sessions like they would for the half days if they work throughout the day.

Grifka said there are some parents worried about their children going to school for a full day, so teachers will be scheduling rest time.

The students will also have nutritious meals and snacks and have time to go outside throughout the school day.

Along with the impact on the families, the change will also impact the area by generating many jobs. There is now a need for more teachers, classroom aides, bus drivers, and administration in the area.

“We have a lot of training for staff so it will increase their skills, as well, and add to the early childhood workforce,” she said.

The new positions are posted on the NEMCSA website, nemcsa.org.

Julie Goldberg can be reached at 989-358-5688 or jgoldberg@thealpenanews.com. Follow her on Twitter @jkgoldberg12.