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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q. Are home visits and conferences necessary?
A. Yes. In accordance with Head Start Performance Standards, once the assessments are complete, teachers will schedule a home visit or conference with Parents to review the information related to the screenings and/or assessments. Parents and teachers, together, will set goals for the child. There are two home visits, and two conferences scheduled per year to discuss the development of the child. However, a Parent may request a conference at any time if they have concerns they want to discuss.
Q. Do I need to provide school supplies?
A. No. It is helpful for your child to have their own backpack with a change of clothes. Head Start provides everything your child will need.
Q. How does education staff communicate with parents?
A. A clear and ongoing communication system between the education staff and parents is critical. Through this communication, together, teachers and parents ensure each child’s individual education goals as well as social emotional needs are being met. A minimum of two home visits and two staff/parent conferences are required each program year; however, it is encouraged that teachers visit whenever they feel a need to talk with the family. During this time, the education objectives are put into practical situations and experiences which are discussed and gone over. Other types of communication can involve the following: • Telephone conversations • Visits to centers • Written communication (screenings, exams, newsletters, etc.) • Classroom and field trip participation • Emails and electronic messaging
Q. Is there a curriculum that is implemented in the Head Start classrooms?
A. Our program has a School Readiness plan that includes goals for children birth to five. Our program supports these goals by implementing the High Scope Curriculum, which children learn through play. High Scope uses Key Developmental Indicators (KDI’S) to guide learning for children at each developmental level.
Q. What does the Parent and Staff Conference involve?
A. Both Head Start and Early Head Start teachers perform home visits and teacher/parent conferences. Discussed during the conferences are individual education goals for your child. Parents are encouraged to make or add any changes to their child’s Educational objectives. • Progress notes • Fine/Gross motor • Speech/Language • Social Emotional • Health /Safety • Early Head Start Individual Education Plan is discussed and changes will be made involving parent input • Anecdotal notes are review with parents • Emergency changes, phone numbers, and address changes • Changes in family such as marriage, new baby, separation, divorce, or other
Q. What happens after the screening is complete?
A. Teachers will begin to assess children’s strengths and needs through observations and collection of data. This information is used for on-going assessments, which monitors children’s progress in Approaches to Learning, Social and Emotional Development, Language and Literacy, Physical Development, Mathematics, Creative Arts, Science and Technology, Social Studies, and English Language Learners. The Child Observation Record (COR) is the tool that we use for on-going assessments.
Q. What type of assessments are used to screen children in the classrooms?
A. SHARE Head Start screens each child using a developmental screening tool (Denver for Early Start and Dial-4 for Head Start) within the first 45 days of enrollment. Both of these screenings provide teachers with a baseline to assist with educational goals for each child.
Q. Will there be opportunities to volunteer in the classroom?
A. Absolutely! Parent participation is welcomed and encouraged. Classroom teachers will provide opportunities to help get parents involved in their child’s classroom and education process. For example, you will have opportunities to: • Help prepare classroom activities • Field Trips • Meal time • Story time • Art activities