Erin Meyer, Daily Reporter

    CHARLOTTESVILLE — For the first time since Eastern Hancock’s full-day kindergarten program was implemented three years ago, the school will charge families a fee to enroll young students. 

    Eastern Hancock Elementary will host kindergarten roundup for prospective new students Thursday. Educators and administrators will be on hand to explain changes made to the kindergarten program to help offset massive budget cuts mandated by the state. 

    The changes include a $1,000 fee for children signing up for full-day kindergarten. However, school administrators are offering a modified half-day program free of charge for families that might not be able to afford the cost of full-day kindergarten, or families interested in an abbreviated schedule for new students. 

    By charging parents $1,000 for full-day kindergarten, the district hopes to make the program pay for itself. However, a new half-day schedule also gives parents more options and may improve learning. 

    “We think the new schedule will be a benefit to the whole kindergarten program,” EH Elementary Principal Mark McIntire said. “I think we will be able to provide a better educational experience.” 

    Instead of holding half-day kindergarten five days per week from 8:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m., students will attend class for a full day on Mondays, Wednesdays and every other Friday. 

    “There’s no cost for that,” McIntire said. 

    The district will require that parents enrolling children in full-day kindergarten secure the space with a $100 deposit on Thursday. A payment of $400 will be required before the first day of school in August, and a final $500 payment should be made by Dec. 31.