Families across Elkhart County will soon have access to a new early education program aimed at preparing children for school. 

The Community Foundation of Elkhart County is launching “Countdown to Kindergarten,” an eight-week program that begins May 26 and will be offered at no cost to families. Registration opens February 17 at ctok.org.

The program was created after data showed nearly 1,200 of the county’s 2,800 incoming kindergarteners each year are not meeting readiness benchmarks.

Head Start will run the program at multiple school sites across the county. It will operate weekdays from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., with meals, transportation and extended care available.