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1. High Quality Collaborative Community Preschools Norwalk Preschools:
Apple Tree Children’s Center
Head Start
Oviatt Preschool
Serendipity Preschool
Stepping Stones Preschool
2. Why are we here?
3. We are here because… We are advocates for our community’s four-year-olds.
4. We are here because… We believe all young children have the right to a high quality preschool experience.
5. We are here because… We work together with the goal of providing your four-year-old the opportunity to begin Kindergarten ready to learn.
6. We are here because… We want to inform you of our collaborative efforts
We want you to have the opportunity to explore preschool options for your preschool aged community child
We want to address questions you might have
7. Preschool Directors’ & Programs Introduced Apple Tree Children’s Center
Head Start
Serendipity Preschool
Oviatt Preschool
Stepping Stones Preschool
8. Statewide Voluntary Preschool Program (SVPP)
What is the focus of the SVPP?
Curriculum & Assessment
Program Standards
Staff Development
Teacher Quality
9. Legislative Background of SVPP In support of children having quality early learning experiences, the Iowa State Board of Education identified the following goal:
All children will enter school
ready to learn.
10. Legislation Background of SVPP Iowa Code – Chapter 16, Statewide Voluntary Preschool Program
Purpose: “Provide an opportunity for all young children in the state to enter school ready to learn by expanding voluntary access to quality preschool curricula for all children who are four years old.”
11. Highlights of Statewide Voluntary Preschool Program (SVPP) If interested in this program, the District shall submit a collaborative grant application that demonstrates involvement of multiple community stakeholders:
Parents
Faith-based representatives
Area Education Agency
Community Empowerment area board
Representatives of business, Head Start programs
Center-based & home-based providers of child care services
Human services & public health
Economic development programs
12. SVPP Grant Selection Criteria Priority given to school districts that have a high percentage of children in poverty
Priority given to school districts that do not have existing preschool programs within the school district’s boundaries
13. SVPP Grant Selection Criteria Consideration given to districts with established, high quality, community partnerships for delivery of preschool program services that are seeking to expand access
Consideration given to size of school districts in large, medium, and small categories to ensure equitable statewide distribution of preschool program services
14. Highlights of Statewide Voluntary Preschool Program (SVPP) Who is eligible for the Statewide Voluntary Preschool Program?
Any child who turns four before September 15, is a resident of Iowa and is not already receiving state or federal funds.
15. SVPP Focus
Curriculum & Assessment
Program Standards
Staff Development
Teacher Quality
16. Early Childhood Standards Curriculum & Assessment
Iowa Early Learning Standards
Student Standards & Benchmarks
Assessment
17. Early Childhood Standards Preschool Program Standards
Iowa Quality Preschool Program Standards (IQPPS)
National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
Head Start
18. Program Standards Focus Area: Children
Relationships
Curriculum
Teaching
Assessment
Health
Focus Area: Teaching Staff
Teachers
19. Program Standards Focus Area: Family & Community Partnerships
Families
Community Partnerships
Focus Area: Leadership & Administration
Physical Environment
Leadership & Management
20. Systematic Child Assessments Assessment instruments are age appropriate and educationally significant
Screening is always linked to follow-up
Staff and families are knowledgeable about assessment
21. Teacher Qualifications Four-year college degree
Specialized training in early childhood education
22. Research Links Teacher Quality to Child’s Achievement
Child’s Achievement Gains include:
Vocabulary (31% greater)
Math skills (44% greater)
Print awareness (85% greater)
23. Assistant Teacher/Paraeducator Specialized training an expectation for the assistant teacher and/or paraeducator
Child Development Associate (CDA)
Paraeducator Certificate + Early Childhood certificates
Associate’s Degree*
Two Years of College*
* Personal staff development plan focused on early childhood expertise
24. Maximum Class Size Classroom is 20 or fewer
Student to teacher ratio is 10:1
25. Professional Development Minimum of 15 hours annually
Ongoing & based on needs of students and teaching staff
26. Administrative Support & Leadership Provides ongoing monitoring & review to maintain/enhance quality preschool programming practices
Program and Classroom portfolios required
27. Family Involvement Minimum of one annual home visit – schedule prior to the first day of school
Encourage ongoing parental involvement in child’s preschool experiences
28. Transportation Options No school district transportation for 2009-2010
We can assist in matching parents’ transportation services
Wrap-around care at some preschools
29. Preschool School Improvement Advisory Committee This school/community committee has met from Fall 2007-present to review the options offered by the Statewide Voluntary Preschool Program
Membership includes directors and/or representatives of five community preschools, parents, and a School Board member
30. Committee Recommendations
Preschool SIAC vote in Spring 2008 was unanimous:
Support the concept of a community preschool program.
Recommend to the Norwalk School District’s Board of Directors that the school district submits a Statewide Voluntary Preschool Program grant in May 2009.
31. 2008 – 2009 Collaborative Community Preschools…
Begin portfolio collection for classroom and program assessment portfolios
Determine hiring process for licensed teacher at each site
32. 2008 – 2009 Collaborative Community Preschools… Communicate with community leaders, childcare providers and parents of 3 & 4-year-olds in the community
Determine contract commitments between collaborative partners
Certified teacher
Child Development Associate (CDA) and/or certification for paraeducators
Transportation
Curriculum & Assessment
33. Preschool SIAC Members Meet to review/advise updates from community preschool program directors
Is the Vision for community program a reality?
34. Assurances When applying for the SVPP grant:
Assurances A-J must be achieved 100%
Assurance K, Preschool Program Standards, must be met in one year.
School Board President must sign.
Superintendent/district representative must sign
35. We thank you for your suggestions & support! The Norwalk Preschool School Improvement Advisory Committee