High Quality Collaborative Community Preschools

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