Table of Contents 1 130

Sure Start Program Guide

An Introduction to the Sure Start Program 5
What Is Sure Start? 5
Philosophy 5
Eligibility 6
Background Information 6
Sure Start and Head Start 7
The Sure Start Pilot Program and Evaluation 8
Sure Start Standards 9
Sure Start Program Standards 9
DoDEA College and Career Ready Standards for Preschool (CCRSP) 9
DoDEA Space and Safety Standards 9
Organization of the Sure Start Program Guide 10
Chapter 1: The Educational Component 11
Standard 1 11
Standard 2 11
Standard 3 12
Standard 4 12
Standard 5 12
Standard 6 12
Standard 7 13
Standard 8 13
Standard 9 13
Standard 10 14
Standard 11 14
Standard 12 14
Standard 13 15
Standard 14 15
Standard 15 15
Implementing the Education Component Program Standards 15
Curriculum 15
Instruction 16
Whole-Group Instruction 16
Using Food in the Classroom 17
Specialists 18
Lesson Planning 19
Holidays 19
Daily Schedule and Routines 19
Length of the Sure Start Day and Planning Time 20
Using the School Information Center 20
Transitions 20
Transitioning from Sure Start to Kindergarten 21
Classroom Environment 21
Classroom Atmosphere 22
Social and Emotional Competence 22
Assessment 23
Educational Screening 23
Ongoing Assessment 23
Observational Tools 24
Portfolios 24
Program Evaluation 26
Sure Start Program Continuous Improvement Plan 26
DoDEA Annual Sure Start Report 26
Accreditation 27
Professional Development 27
Logistics of Training: Timing, Location, and Funding 28
School Administrator Training 28
Professional Development During the School Year 29
Preschool Services for Children with Disabilities (PSCD) Teachers 29
Chapter 2: Health & Nutrition | The Health Component 31
Standard 1 31
Standard 2 31
Standard 3 31
Standard 4 31
Standard 5 32
Standard 6 32
Implementing the Health Standards 32
Screenings & Immunization Requirements 32
Ongoing Health-Related Measures 33
Toilet Training 34
Sanitation of Classroom Environment 34
Child Safety 35
Rest Time 35
Pets 36
Health Component of the Sure Start Program Component Plan 37
Chapter 3: Health & Nutrition | The Nutrition Component 39
Standard 1 39
Standard 2 39
Standard 3 40
Standard 4 40
Standard 5 40
Standard 6 40
Implementing the Nutrition Component Standards 40
Serving and Eating Family-Style Lunch 41
Snacks 43
Chapter 4: The Social Services Component 45
Standard 1 45
Standard 2 45
Standard 3 45
Implementing the Social Services Component Program Standards 46
Recruitment of Children 46
Services to Families 46
Chapter 5: The Parent Involvement Component 49
Standard 1 49
Standard 2 49
Standard 3 49
Standard 4 49
Standard 5 50
Standard 6 50
Standard 7 50
Standard 8 50
Standard 9 50
Standard 10 50
Implementing the Parent Involvement Component 50
Parent Orientation 51
Parents as Participants in the Classroom 51
Home Visits and Parent Conferences 53
The First Home Visit 53
The November In-School Conference 53
The End of First Semester Home Visit or In-School Conference 54
The End of Year Home Visit or In-School Conference 54
Release Days for Home Visits and Conferences 54
Parent Education Meetings 54
Chapter 6: Roles and Responsibilities of Key Staff 57
Elementary School Principal or Designee 57
Sure Start Teacher 60
Sure Start Paraprofessional 62
Sure Start Advisory Committee 64
Parents and Other Volunteers 66
DSO Instructional Systems Specialists (ISSs)/POC 66
Headquarters Early Childhood Instructional Systems Specialist/POC 68
Chapter 7: Program Logistics and Administration 71
Sure Start Class Size 71
Student Eligibility Criteria 71
Table 11: Prioritization of Sure Start Income Eligibility 72
The Sure Start Alternate Calendar 73
Length of the Sure Start Day and Planning Time 74
Site Selection 75
Responsibilities for Program Start-up 75
Administrator 75
Teacher and Paraprofessional 76
Sure Start Advisory Committee 76
Recordkeeping 76
General Program Information Records 77
Child/Family Records 77
Extra-Duty Compensation 78
Sure Start Month by Month 78
Chapter 8: Frequently Asked Questions 81
Eligibility and Enrollment 81
Scheduling 83
Assessment/Behavior 84
Materials/Funding 86
Additional Questions 86
Appendix 90
Sample Sure Start Program Component Plan 91
Recommitment Letter 94
Sample Daily Schedule 95
Sure Start Program Continuous Improvement Plan Example 99
Examples of Effective Instruction 100
Sensory Table Ideas 103
Examples of Daily Routines 105
Transitions 107
Descriptions of Sure Start Classroom Environments 108
Examples of Effective Classroom Atmosphere 110
Daily Interactions Chart 112
Assessment and Program Evaluation Timeline Sample 114
Sure Start Program Cleaning Schedule 115
Sample Sure Start Weekly Snack Menu 117
Sure Start Shopping List 118
Services to Families 119
Sure Start Records Table 120
Practical Tips on Conducting Home Visits 121
Frequently Used Forms and Resources 122
College and Career Ready Standards for Preschool (CCRSP) 125
Glossary 127
Acronyms 128

RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTAwMjA1