Early Childhood Education
WCMCAA Head Start enriches lives by providing high-quality early care, education and health services for children, as well as supportive services for parents while families work toward self-sufficiency.
Under the direction of the Early Childhood Education Unit, the Head Start (for children 3 to 5 years of age) and Early Head Start (for children zero to three years of age) programs serve over 500 children ages zero to five years through operations of 14 centers and one home-based program. Most locations offer a part day preschool program. Full-day, full-year services are provided in some locations for parents who are working or in school. These services are provided in licensed facilities operated by the Early Childhood Education Unit. In some areas, Home Based services are also available. Our staff ensure the delivery of quality early childhood education, social and emotional development, and health services, while engaging in the ongoing process of collaborative family and community partnerships.
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Kindergarten Preparedness WCMCAA Head Start begins preparing children for their formal school years when they are enrolled in the program, ages zero to five years. The process of Kindergarten readiness begins with socialization and progresses to beginning academic education throughout the time the child is in Head Start. Transition plans are put in place the year before the child enters kindergarten. This transition plan is outlined in our Local Education Agreement (LEA) with each school district. Head Start teachers remind parents of dates for public school screenings, open houses, or other activities available to them. They encourage school attendance, while offering assistance if needed. Teachers in the individual school districts share with Head Start teachers tasks the child needs to master before going to kindergarten. The Head Start teachers include these tasks on their lesson plans for the classroom and include activities to meet these goals. Head Start children leave our program fully prepared to enter kindergarten. Curriculum The Creative Curriculum is designed for early childhood programs based on the latest scientific research on how children develop and learn, it helps our teachers plan with explicit guidance about what to teach, how to teach and why. Parents are encouraged to take observation notes on their children and communicate with the teaching staff about the goals they have for their child. It also addresses language and literacy, math, and science. Family & Community Partnerships: Parents are provided opportunities and support for growth, so that they can identify their own strengths, needs and interests, and find their own solutions. Families are offered opportunities to set goals, access community services and resources, family involvement in all aspects of the program, emergency crisis assistance, and continuing education or other employment services through formal or informal networks in the community. Monthly parent meeting provides opportunities for parenting and life skills education. Program Governance is carried out through a partnership between the WCMCAA Governing Board and the Policy Council. Policy Council consists primarily of current Head Start and Early Head Start parents. Through participation, the Policy Council parents learn leadership and advocacy skills while participating in the program planning decisions that affect all of the children and families enrolled in the program. Health Services The objective of the WCMCAA ECC health component is to support healthy physical development by encouraging practice that prevent illness or injury and by promoting positive, culturally relevant health behaviors that enhance life-long well-being. All enrolled children receive health screenings (provided by either the Head Start staff or child’s health care provider) including: height and weight, blood pressure, hearing, vision, dental exam, physical exam, Denver II developmental screen and DASE speech screen. A variety of health related materials and hands-on activities are used in the classroom and are available as resources to our families. Children participate in daily tooth brushing in the classroom after breakfast and lunch as well as participate, with parental permission, in the fluoride varnish program. Nutrition Head Start’s child nutrition services assist families in meeting each child’s nutritional needs and in establishing good eating habits that nurture healthy development and promote life-long well being. Meals provided include breakfast, lunch and snack (according to each classroom schedule). All meals are CACFP (Child/Adult Care Food Program) approved and served family style. Staff work with families, the contracted registered dietician and health care providers to develop nutrition care plans when necessary. Children participate in classroom nutritional activities once per week. Parents have opportunities to participate in: mealtimes, menu planning, nutrition education, and child growth assessment. Mental Health The Head Start objective is to build relationships among children, families, staff, mental health professionals, and community, in order to enhance awareness and understanding of mental wellness. Children receive mental health screenings from a licensed psychologist with parental consent. Positive techniques are used to help children develop self-control, such as modeling expected behaviors, redirecting children to acceptable activities, and intervening to enforce consequences of unacceptable or harmful behavior without using punitive techniques or corporal punishment. All decisions regarding the identification of a challenging behavior, possible interventions, placement and ongoing evaluation are made in accordance with the family IEP (Individual Education Plan) IFSP (Individual Family Service Plan), Behavior Management Plan, or other decision-making process. WCMCAA Early Childhood Education Projected Budget for 2010 - 2011 Program Year
Results of Most Recent Office of Head Start Federal Review From 04/26/2009 to 05/01/2009, the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) Office of Head Start (OHS) conducted an on-site monitoring review of the West Central Missouri Community Action Agency Head Start and Early Head Start Programs. The OHS Review Team identified the programs strength in how it addressed challenges to meet children’s dental treatment needs. Through strengthening community partnerships, educating parents and staff, and coordinating appointments and transportation, the program was able to increase the number of dental treatment completions from 67% of Head Start children identified through dental screenings as needing services in 2005-06 to 88% of those identified in 2007-08. The review identified two areas of non-compliance. · In one instance at a child care partner location, the grantee (WCMCAA) did not ensure teachers were assigned no more than four toddlers each; therefore, it was not in compliance with 1304.52(g)(4) of the regulation. · Early Head Start parents were encouraged to bring diapers and wipes for their children for use in the classroom. The grantee (WCMCAA) was found not to have provided sufficient materials to meet the needs of Early Head Start children; therefore, it was not in compliance with 1304.53(b)(1) of the regulation. The areas of non-compliance cited in the report were corrected within 120 days of the receipt of the report and confirmed by Office of Head Start follow-up.
2011-2012 WCMCAA Head Start Annual Report
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Head Start and Early Head Start BATES COUNTY
Adrian Head Start Program Option: Part Day Head Start
Butler Head Start Program Option: Part Day Head Start
Rich Hill Head Start Program Option: Part Day Head Start BENTON COUNTY
Warsaw Head Start
Program Options: Part Day Head Start CASS COUNTY
Belton Head Start Program Options: Part Day and Full Day Head Start
Harrisonville Head Start Program Options: Part Day and Full Day Head Start
Kids Kountry Day Care Program Option: Full Day Early Head Start CEDAR COUNTY
El Dorado Springs Head Start
Program Options: Part Day Head Start
Stockton Head Start Program Option: Part Day Head Start HENRY COUNTY
Clinton Head Start
Program Options: Part Day and Full Day Head Start,
Calhoun R-8 School District Program Option: Full Day Early Head Start HICKORY COUNTY
Hermitage Head Start Program Option: Part Day Head Start MORGAN COUNTY
Versailles Head Start
Program Options: Part Day Head Start ST. CLAIR COUNTY
Appleton City Head Start Program Option: Part Day Head Start
SE St. Clair County Head Start
Program Options: Full Day Head Start VERNON COUNTY
Nevada Head Start
Program Options: Part Day and Full Day Head Start |
