Page 7 - PROGRAM IMPACT AND SATIFACTION AS SEEN THROUGH THE EYES OF HEAD START PARENTS

NEIGHBORHOODS AND HOUSING
Nearly half of all parents who responded to a question about their neighborhood (49.4%) agreed that less crime and violence would make their neighborhood better. A greater percentage of Spanish-speaking parents (43.3%) reported that their neighborhoods would improve if they had more nearby schools. Additionally, a greater percentage of English-speaking parents (55.6%) indicated that other factors that would make their neighborhood better, which included responses such as more trees and less asphalt, neighbors that don’t smoke as much, and more affordable housing.
Coincidently, more affordable housing was the response with which most parents (49.3%) agreed would make their housing better. This response was most popular among Spanish- speaking parents who also largely indicated that a landowner who takes care of pest or rodent control problems would make their housing better (73.1%). Additionally, more than half of all English-speaking parents (54.7%) and 43.5% of Spanish-speaking parents indicated that the question about housing did not apply to them.
OVERALL EXPERIENCE IN THE HEAD START PROGRAM
Parents on average agree or strongly agree with statements about a positive experience in the Head Start program. Of 877 parents who responded to this question, 99.4% agreed that the Head Start Program provided a clean and safe learning environment for their child. Head Start parents (99.0%) also agreed that the Head Start staff kept them informed about their child’s overall progress and needs in the program and 98.6% indicated that they are prepared to help their child succeed in kindergarten through elementary school because of the Head Start Program.
An analyses of parents’ open-ended question revealed that Head Start parents are largely satisfied with their Head Start program experience. Parents expressed an appreciation of the Head Start teachers and describe them as patient, supportive, and informative. Parents liked witnessing the growth and learning of their child and hope teachers and staff will continue to provide a safe, inclusive, and healthy learning environment.
Several parents wrote suggestions and recommendations on how their Head Start program can improve. Responses were analyzed by Head Start Center and three common themes surfaced at all the centers: 1) more parent engagement, 2) changes to the curriculum, and 3) changes to the class schedule. Parents would have liked to have been more involved in their child’s education and provided suggestions to make parent involvement and participation more feasible, such as changing the times of parent meetings and creating more parent-child activities. Ensuring that the curriculum prepares children for the academic demands of kindergarten was recommended by several parents. Parents wanted to feel confident that their child is well-prepared for kindergarten. Lastly, parents wrote that more class time or a full-day schedule would make the Head Start program better. These themes as well as parents’ openness to communicate their recommendations highlight the value and esteem parents place on the Head Start program and the positive impact it has on their child’s education.
This report concludes with recommendations for Head Start staff as well as an appendix with additional information.
CCRC’s Head Start Parents Page | 4 December 2014