MCDOWELL COUNTY HEAD START & EARLY HEAD START
Education
Our program uses Creative Curriculum for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. Creative Curriculum promotes active, individualized, developmentally appropriate learning, and care giving and play as "curriculum", it provides:
~An emphasis on learning environments, and child-choice curriculum (not an activity-based, teacher directed, or diagnostic curriculum)
~An emphasis on natural, authentic experiences and interactions
~An environment rich with written and spoken language experiences
~An emphasis on hands-on, "mind-on", active learning
~A generous allowance for child mobility, messy play, and challenge
~Extensive use of outdoors
~Use of caring routines as times for play and learning
~Exposure to cultural diversity through materials, interactions, and experiences
Teachers perform three assessments on each child in addition to recording ongoing observations.
Teachers use observations to input data which generate children's progress reports.
Your child's teacher will keep you informed throughout the year informally on your child's progress, but will set up times to officially go over three progress reports during the school year.
You can individualize goals for your child with their teacher based on progress reports and observations at home and in the classroom. Always remember, you are your child's first and BEST teacher! Close partnership with your child's teacher and other program staff will ensure that your child is prepared for school.
Special Education Needs
Children with special needs are always accommodated with necessary modifications. Our program works closely with the Exceptional Children's Program of McDowell County Schools, the Children's Developmental Services Agency (Part C agency), and many other service providers. Service providers are always welcome in our classrooms.