Early Childhood Task Force

Anne Hardiman - PrincipalMaryKate Fitzpatrick -

PreK/KindergartenCarol Blackwood - Kindergarten

Judy Tan - KindergartenCaroline LaBella - Preschool

Lynne Tarr - PreKKathleen Maney - Community

LiaisonKaren Arena - Community Provider

Elizabeth Kelly - Community Provider

Introduction

Three focus areas:1. Curriculum and

AssessmentState guidelines

2. Transition processKindergarten

3. Accreditation

Mission

To revise and refine our ideas about how to promote best practices in every early childhood classroom by promoting appropriate learning expectations and working together to bridge the gap among programs throughout Watertown to create one early childhood learning community.

Ensuring Best PracticesProfessional Development 2008 - 2009

NAEYC CPR/Pediatric First AidPlay Based LearningReading Task Force

Handwriting With Out TearsCreative Curriculum

New Learning Outcomes

Instruction/ “Tool Box”

Alignment of Curriculum Preschool – Kindergarten Early Childhood Website

Early Childhood BlogCreative Curriculum Preschool /PreK

Think Math KindergartenMath Assessment Guide Preschool/PreK

AssessmentCreative Curriculum Preschool/PreK

Math Assessment Guide Preschool /PreKKindergarten Fall Baseline Data Collection

Community OutreachNAEYC

Uniform Transition ProceduresDistrict Brochure

School Based BookletsEarly Childhood Website

Early Childhood Blog

BESTPRACTICES

CurriculumTool Box

Align outcomes for 3 year olds, 4 year olds and Kindergarteners

Create Early Childhood Website – linked to district Teaching and Learning Page

Early Childhood Website

Pilot Creative Curriculum Assessment Tool with online component Preschool / PreK

Professional Development

Handwriting Without Tears

Creative Curriculum – Preschool / PreK Online Assessment / Portfolio System

Learning Outcomes Preschool - K Posted on Website

Transition to Public School

Standard Procedures Coordinate with Guidance Counselors to

create uniform Registration Intake Process

Update Preschool Inventory – more accurate data on incoming students

Uniform Orientation Activities Screening Visit Day Welcome to School Activities

Transition To Public School

Tools for Incoming Families

Create brochure describing district programsDistrict Wide Early Childhood Brochure

Create building based Welcome to School Books for children to take home

School Based Welcome Books

Accreditation

National Association For TheEducation Of Young Children

In May 2009 all 3 Elementary Schools were awarded accreditation for preschool, prekindergarten and kindergarten classes.

Why Is Accreditation Important:

High Quality Early Childhood programs Current Best Practices

Grant requirement Full Day Kindergarten Universal PreKindergarten

Grant Benefits Facilitate staffing Support accreditation process Support Early Childhood Task Force work Define early childhood curriculum and assessment Support professional development and summer

projects Enhance classroom materials

Accreditation Products

Program Portfolio Individual Portfolio for each school Documents 187 Criteria for Program

Standards School Safety Procedures Personnel Policies

Classroom Portfolio Individual portfolio for each classroom 21 classroom portfolios 105 criteria documented in each portfolio

1.A.04 Teachers are sensitive to family concerns and reassure family members who are concerned about leaving children in non-family care.

2.A.11 The schedule a. provides children learning opportunities, experiences, and projects that extend over the course of several days and incorporates time for b. play c. creative expression d. large-group e. small-group, and f. child-initiated activity.

2G.06 Children are provided varied opportunities and materials that encourage them to think, question, and reason about observed and inferred phenomena.

Next Steps

Professional Development Implement best practices in all early

childhood classrooms across the district Collaborate with curriculum Task Forces Maintain NAEYC accreditation status

Annual Report for Each School 5 Year Cycle for Re-accreditation Stay current in new NAEYC criteria Manage and Update portfolios

Next Steps

Tool Box Preschool – K Assessment Guide &

Protocol Literacy Math

Preschool – Grade 3 Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment Alignment Project

Questions?