EARLY START

The Early Start Preschool Program is made possible through the Virginia Preschool Initiative (VIP). The Virginia Preschool Initiative Grant was developed to offer opportunities for four years olds considered at risk of educational failure. The goal of Suffolk’s Early Start Program is to reduce disparities among young children upon formal school entry and to reduce or eliminate those risk factors that lead to early academic failure. The components of the Early Start Program include quality preschool education, comprehensive child health services, parental involvement, comprehensive social services and transportation.

The screening process for Early Start includes a speech evaluation, parent interview, parent application along with other developmental assessments which measure fine and gross motor skills. The curriculum used is locally developed supplemented by the High/Scope Preschool Educational Approach. Teachers focus on teaching literacy through play. There are sixteen Early Start classes: three at Booker T. Washington Elementary, two at Elephant's Fork Elementary, three at Florence Bowser Elementary, two at Mack Benn, Jr. Elementary, four at Mount Zion Elementary, and two at Nansemond Parkway Elementary. Each class also has a full-time teacher assistant. With only sixteen students per class a student adult ratio of 1:8 is maintained. During a typical day in an Early Start classroom, children participate in shared book experiences, language development activities, self initiated activities and outside play. The program is a full day program and provides preschoolers school readiness skills for success.

Parents interested in their children participating in the Early Start Program for 2006-2007 should call the School Administrative Office for information on the screening process. Both child and parent will be interviewed to allow school officials to select children according to their needs. The Early Start Program is an "at-risk" program for children who turn 4 years old by September 30, 2006, and who need an extra year to prepare for success in kindergarten. Call Pamela Connor, coordinator of elementary education, or Erma Goodman, secretary, at 925-6759 for details.