The Wrangell Head Start program has expanded its capacity to 36 children this school year, adding six spots.

The increase builds on growth from the past school year, when the program expanded from 20 to 30 children by opening two 15-student classrooms instead of a single classroom. This year, each classroom will accommodate 18 students.

The program, operated by the Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska, helps meet high demand for early childhood services.

Dawn Welch, one of two lead teachers in Wrangell, said an areawide shortage of child care options makes the program essential for families, and she expects the remaining openings to disappear quickly.

“I would tell any parent of a child ages 3 to 5 that if they want their child to come here, they need to fill out an application fast,” she said.

Welch anticipates receiving several last-minute applications as the school year gets underway, but noted that the roster is nearly full, with only six slots remaining available as of Aug. 26.

The program enters the year fully staffed with six teachers and two cooks. Along with full staffing, educators plan to expand cultural programming in the curriculum.

“We will also try to bring in more elders this year,” Welch said. “We already do feature our culture, but we want to focus more on it.”

Last year, the program relocated to Evergreen Elementary School, moving into two previously vacant classrooms under a rent-free agreement with the borough, which owns the building. The program previously operated out of a Tlingit and Haida-owned building across the street.

Classes run Tuesdays through Fridays, from 7:45 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. Classes started Aug. 25.

Parents and guardians interested in enrolling their children can submit an application online at tlingitandhaida.gov/service/head-start/.

The Wrangell program is one of 10 operated by Tlingit and Haida in Southeast, with space for about 200 children.