Universal Preschool Program Analysis

According to head start curriculum means a written plan that includes: goals for children’s development learning experience through which they will achieve these goals what staff and parents do to help children achieve these goals; and materials needed to support the implementation of the curriculum. Building on children’s varying experiences, including their family, linguistics, and cultural backgrounds; their individual approaches to learning; and their informal knowledge.

Based on this policy analysis, the recommended alternative is for the federal government to educate states on recognizing the importance of and participating in the quality early education programs. Some states have already started making progress in modeling and developing early learning systems for children zero to age five. According to the Whitehouse (2011), “The President’s 2012 budget calls upon Congress to establish a new, competitive Early Learning Challenge Fund, administered by the Departments of Education (ED) and Health and Human Services (HHS), for states that are ready to take dramatic steps to improve the quality of their early childhood programs. The Early Learning Challenge Fund will be complemented by investments in Head Start

The research finds that participants with the lowest initial skills are the most beneficial from public Head Start programs. But this study also states that Head Start program has lots of limitation. At the beginning of this research paper, the author introduces the history and definition of Head Start program and its main purpose. He states, “The federal Head Start program is the largest early childhood education initiative in the United States, giving matching grants to preschool centers that provide parent training, early education, and health services to poor children and their families” (Healy, 2015, para. 1). As the author emphasis, the Head Start program is not suitable for all children but only offers to children from the low-income families. There are still many families left who need the public

The place I observed was the Infant Development Program in their preschool program called Stepping Stones Preschool in Lock Haven, PA. I observed in one of their three to five year old preschool programs that is held on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday afternoons from 11:30am to 2:30pm. This particular classroom had two head teachers; Mrs. Kate and Mrs. Lisa. The teacher call their students Owls this is because their class name is Owls. When they want to get the kids to listen to them or they want to get their attention a teacher will say “Owls Owls Whoo Whoo” and the kids will say “Owls Owls Whoo Whoo”. Another thing the teachers will also refer to the students as friends. In this classroom there was four boys and four girls. I observed two

Children benefit more from a high quality full-day pre-k program because their average daily attendance rate is better than average and have reduced chronic absences, their social-emotional development is better, and their achievement scores in language and math are higher than their peers’ who attend a half-day or no pre-k program.

On February 12th, 2012, in his State of the Union address, President Obama discussed the long-term benefits a universal preschool would have on today’s society. “In states that make it a priority to educate our youngest children…studies show students grow up more likely to read and do math at grade level, graduate high school, hold a job, form more stable families of their own. We know this works. So let’s do what works and make sure none of our children start the race of life already behind.” (Obama) Unfortunately, an overwhelming number of children, from low-poverty areas, are unable to access high-quality early childhood programs for their preschool aged children. Consequently,

Just think about this one tiny effect. Imagine that you are about to start school at the age of five, and once you arrive you see that kids around you are more prepared, confident, and eager to learn. These young smiley five year old faces don’t make you happy. In fact, this makes you depressed, and saddened. Early education, also known as preschool is of vital importance. Preschool or an early educational establishment is a group of people offering early childhood education, before the age five. They offer enriching courses for children, and help prepare them for the transition into elementary school. Children who use the opportunity of an early education have a huge advantage. On the other hand, children who don’t enter preschools seem to lack in certain areas, and lag behind. Many children in our country do not attend preschool at the age of three or four, and directly enter kindergarten without the early learning opportunity. This issue of a less advantage situation could eventually lead to a bigger disadvantage when it comes to learning. Many parents aren’t willing to send their children to preschool in their early years as it is over expensive and unnecessary for a three year old to enter school. I, on the other hand, disagree with these people. If children learn from early on, there won’t be any need to worry about others who have advantages. I believe that early education should be mandatory, and since many people can’t afford preschools, public school districts should have their own preschool grade for all younger students.

The program that I choose to write about is a center base program. I choose this program because I am more familiar with this type of program. This program will take place in a school base setting. I think with a school base program it will benefit the parents because it will allow the parent to have adequate childcare services. If a teacher gets sick, it is up to the job to find teachers to keep the classroom running oppose to a home setting center. If the teacher gets sick a home daycare, then, the parents will have to find somewhere else for their child to attend school because that person cannot care for their child/children or the parent will have to take off of work themselves.

Goals Ever since I was a young girl I desired to be a teacher, I always played “school” with my little brother and I was the teacher every time. I worked very hard in high school to receive certifications that I needed to be a successful preschool teacher. While in high school I received a 90 clock-hour certificate for preschool teaching, and I jumped right into the career. While at my first day care teaching job, I went back to school to receive my 45 clock-hour certification for infants and toddlers.

In the article, Does Head Start Work? A 1 – Year Follow-up Comparison of Disadvantaged Children Attending Head Start, No Preschool, and Other Preschool Programs it revealed that Head Start is still an effective program however, it needs improvement and it needs a follow up program. Children who are disadvantaged because of their family’s social and economic status are found starting out in school below those who are not disadvantaged. Head

They must stay up to date on the latest education policies and techniques. Since it's beginning, Head Start programs have grown and services have expanded significantly in response to dramatic changes in families and their communities. Local Head Start programs are at the head of these new developments and must constantly re-evaluate themselves to adapt to changes in needs and resources. This attention to program performance and continuous quality improvement is critical. Program evaluation and continuous quality improvement ensures that Head Start programs develop as learning communities.

The three programs I chose to analyze were the transportation program, the Day Away program, and the Stepping on program.

Universal preschool is an initiative being discussed and the United States government has been trying to allocate money to put this practice into place in states across the country. It would give access to quality preschool education to all families for free or a very low cost. Because of its free or low cost, it would be extremely beneficial for those families who are at risk or in the lower class. These families generally cannot afford to send their

The program I observed combined both group and individualized activities. During the beginning of the day, students and teachers met together for a general morning session. The teacher used a 'wake-up' song with bodily movements, and some of the paraprofessionals helped students go through the motions of the group dance, if they had issues with motor skills. Afterwards, children were allowed some free time on their own, during which they could work with the teacher and other paraprofessionals on specific skills, such as learning colors, numbers, or speaking. Next came lunch followed by story time, in which children were read to by the teacher, followed by outdoor play.

It is a clear and worthy investment. The question lies in which preschool program is the most effective. Previous reviews of programs have focused on if they contributed to later success, but a few of them compared the programs on their effectiveness. A number of programs showed positive results continuing to the end of kindergarten and beyond, signifying that the preschool involvement had impacts aside from early exposure to academic content. (Johns Hopkins University, 37). Also, several programs had effects on oral language skills, which are emphasized in most preschools.