A learning model is designed to provide underprivileged children, aged 2 to 5, with opportunities and experiences to help develop academic skills, develop a positive self-image, develop confidence in capability to achieve, and provide essential physical necessities. Evaluation of the preschool educational system indicates that the program provides skills and traits necessary for full participation in American society and teaches children additional behaviors, values, and modes of communication with acceptance of and sensitivity to the child's home and neighborhood culture. The program begins instruction at a level consistent with the child's experiences and paces each additional step. Costs of about $3000 per year per student are found to be balanced by benefits in affective, cognitive, and psychomotor developments. Intervention is necessary for disadvantaged children to have a reasonable opportunity to be ready for school, and intervention employing this instructional program is more effective in producing cognitive and language enhanced performance than that of conventional day care programs or public school programs serving children from the same socioeconomic and ethnic backgrounds. (LH)