Page 5 - Microsoft Word - School Readiness and Parenting Outcomes from ECE-Full Report.doc

CCRC’S PROGRAMS INCREASE SCHOOL READINESS FOR UNDERSERVED CHILDREN AND INCREASE PARENT’S ABILITY TO SUPPORT THEIR CHILDREN’S READINESS FOR KINDERGARTEN, SUSTAINING THEIR SUCCESS IN SCHOOL
The mission of the Child Care Resource Center (CCRC) is to promote optimal child development and family well-being through access to quality child care, family support, economic development and community education. CCRC offers a wide range of high quality programs that help children and parents attain the necessary skills that place them on a path for current and future success. Some of the programs offered by CCRC are briefly described below.
Enrichment CCRC’s Enrichment program provides low-income children ages 0-5 years who have not previously had experiences in early care and education settings with 25 hours / week in high- quality, home-based programs. The providers participate in intensive in-home trainings as well as group trainings and support groups. The home environments are assessed using the FCCERS-R (Family Child Care Environmental Rating Scale-Revised) to ensure children are interacting in settings that promote age-appropriate development and school readiness.
Family Child Care Home Education Network CCRC’s Family Child Care Home Education Network (FCCHEN) program is very similar to the Enrichment program described above with the exception that the amount of care is based on the need of the parent (part-time or full-time). CCRC also works closely with the parents in this program to discuss child assessments, engage in case management, and ensure the family receives all community services that are needed.
Head Start CCRC’s Head Start program offers holistic and comprehensive services to low-income families. The child receives part-day center-based instruction and the family receives all needed services including medical, dental, mental health, nutritional, and intensive case management for all of their needs. Children who have been identified as having special needs are also supported within the regular classroom and their families are supported in navigating any system that is needed to ensure the child is able to reach their fullest potential.
Mommy and Me Families in CCRC’s Mommy and Me program engage in 3-hour weekly sessions where parents learn vital parenting skills and activities that prepare children for kindergarten. Children ages 0-5 years interact with one another and with highly trained professionals in order to learn vital academic and social skills that successfully prepare them for kindergarten. These low- income families participate in this program on elementary school sites which helps ensure a smooth transition when their child begins kindergarten.
Parents as Teachers The families who participate in the Parents as Teachers (PAT) program are low-income and often find it challenging to attend programs outside of their home (no transportation, multiple young children, etc.). The highly skilled PAT educators bring vital trainings to these families in the comfort of their own home during monthly home visits. These educators engage the parents and children in activities that help their children ages 0-5 years learn skills needed to prepare them for kindergarten. These activities are simple and often consist of items commonly found in the home and yet foster age-appropriate development across various domains that ensure children become ready for school. Parents are also actively engaged in discussions regarding optimal parenting skills.
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