Success By 6

Cumberland County

Care and y l r a E Education

Community 2011 - 2012

Report

145 S. Hanover Street, Carlisle, PA 17013 • 243-4805 • www.carlisleunitedway.org/SuccessBy6.html

2011-2012 Community Report

SUCCESS BY 6/LEARN

Success By 6, a national initiative of United Way Worldwide, helps children ages six and under receive the basic building blocks of life - education, health care, and social and emotional development, which many otherwise go without.

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Locally, through United Way of Carlisle & Cumberland County since 2002, Success By 6 helps young children by working with families, schools and businesses to improve the accessibility, affordability and quality of early childhood education in our community.

Success By 6 is also the Local Education And Resource Network (LEARN) of Cumberland County. As part of Pennsylvania’s LEARN system, Success By 6 serves Cumberland County by: • Convening community members to focus on issues facing young children • Distributing free educational materials such as the “Getting Ready for Kindergarten” calendar and “Children DO Come With Directions-A Guide For Parents” • Helping families prepare children for transitioning into early learning and school settings • Connecting school districts and early care providers to ready children for Kindergarten • Encouraging family involvement in education • Acting as a local resource for families on quality early learning opportunities

ioner Commiss ss Barb Cro hildren reads to c CA’s at the YW rt Early Sta l program Preschoo

2011-2012 Community Report

The State of Early Learning in Cumberland County 2010-11* • There are 12,733 children under 5 living in Cumberland County • 45.2% of young children are living in economically at-risk families • 12.1% of children were born to mothers with less than a high school education • 31% of Cumberland County families participate in publically funded quality early education programs (Head Start, Child Care Works, Early Intervention, Pre-K Counts, Nurse-Family Partnership) • Despite the challenges, children in Cumberland County are at LOW RISK of school failure; but we must remain active and engaged to ensure that every child experiences success in school and in life!

CUMBERLAND COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICTS For Kindergarten Registration information contact your local school district: Big Spring Area School District www.bigspringsd.org 776-2000

Cumberland Valley School District www.cvschools.org 697-8261

Shippensburg Area School District www.shipk12.org 530-2700

Camp Hill School District www.camphillsd.k12.pa.us 901-2400

East Pennsboro School District www.epasd.org 732-3601

South Middleton School District www.smsd.us 258-6484 x3402

Carlisle Area School District www.carlisleschools.org 240-6800

Mechanicsburg Area School District www.mbgsd.org 691-4500

West Shore School District www.wssd.k12.pa.us 938-9577

*The Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) Program’s Reach and Risk Report 2010-2011, www.ocdelresearch.org

KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION

When young children have quality early learning opportunities, they do better in school and are more successful as adults. When our children reach their full potential, we all benefit.

Contact your local school district to find out the dates for registration.

You will need the following items to register your child for public school.

Here are some simple ways YOU can help make quality early education a reality for Pennsylvania’s young children.

✔ Birth Certificate

For more information, visit www.papromiseforchildren.com or contact your Local Education and Resource Network (LEARN) Team.

✔ Social Security Card

Learn

✔ Current immunization record ✔P hysical and dental exam performed by a health care professional

✔ Proof of residency ✔ History form completed by parent or guardian

“The beginning of kind for children and familiergarten one of the major tran es is sitions in their lives” – Jeanne Predmore, Childhood CoordinatoEarly Middleton School Distr for South rict

Learn ways you can help young children grow.

Find quality early learning programs in your community.

Get Involved

Tell Your Story

Volunteer at early learning programs in your community.

Tell your local leaders how early childhood programs make a difference for your child, family and community.

Join your local LEARN Team.

2011-2012 Community Report

LOOKING FOR QUALITY CHILD CARE? COUNT THE STARS Keystone STARS is a quality rating system. It has four STAR levels.

Each STAR designation has its own research-based performance standards. These standards measure three areas of child care that make a difference in the quality of care your child receives: • the staff employed by the center, • the environment your child attends every day • the way the facility is operated.

STAR Level 1

✔ A DPW certificate of compliance ✔ A “Getting to Know You” Meeting or document offered to new parents. ✔ a plan to increase (PD) professional development in early childhood care and education. ✔ A Parent handbook ✔ A site-safty and environmental checklist maintaining quality standards and a plan to address needs. ✔ Increased staff/parent communication ✔ regular staff meetings.

In Cumberland County: • 63% of regulated child care centers participate in Keystone STARS! • 20.7% of Cumberland County children under age five are enrolled in Keystone STARS, that’s 2,640 children!

• With 8% of children enrolled in STAR 3 and STAR 4 programs!

As a facility moves from STAR 1 to STAR 4, the requirements in these areas increase. The information below gives examples of the requirements each facility must meet at each STAR level.

STAR Level 2

STAR Level 3

✔ Specific education requiremencts are met. ✔ Increased PD hours ✔ One certified staff per class in Pediatric 1st Aid ✔ The PA early Learning Standards are used. ✔ An operating budget. ✔ One benefit to staff. ✔ A personnel policy manual. ✔ Monthly staff meetings. ✔ Daily communications with parents. ✔ Child observation within 45 days of enrollment is shared with parents. ✔ A plan to address needs found in an (ERS) Environmental Rating Scale self-assessment of the program.

✔Specific education requirements are met. ✔ Increased PD hours ✔ Director’s obtained PA Director’s Crediential. ✔ All staff are certified in Pediatric 1st Aid. ✔ The curriculum incorporates the PA Early Learning Standards ✔ Increased compensation and 3 benefits to staff. ✔ Teachers are observed and written evaluations shared with staff. ✔ Child observations 3 times a year are shared with parents.

Individual plans for children made. ✔ A professional assessor completes an ERS assessment, indicationg a minimal quality score.

STAR Level 4

✔ Specific education requirements are met. ✔ Increased PD hours ✔ The curriculum and assessment tools are aligned with the PA early Learning Standards. ✔ Increased compensation and 4 benefits to staff. ✔ A business plan, risk management plan, strategic plan and financial review by a CPA are in place. ✔A review by a professional assessor is conducted, indicating a high quality score in the ERS

2011-2012 Community Report

Cumberland County Keystone STARS Providers Keystone STARS is Pennsylvania’s Program to promote continuous quality improvement in early childhood education.

Just Started With Stars

star two

star three

star four

Green Ridge Elementary School** Hampden Elementary School** Highland Elementary School** Hillside Elementary School** Kiddie Academy of Silver Spring Lower Allen Elementary School** Monroe Elementary School** U-GRO Learning Center Washington Heights Elementary School

Mechan icsburg Learning Center (MLC)Broad Street** Children’s Center at Camp Hill Children’s Family Center Church’s Affiliated Child Care Center Dickinson College Children’s Center East Pennsboro West Creek Hills Center** MLC-Elmwood Elementary School** Hoover Elementary School** Jack and Jill Day Care Center Jennifer Peck* Kids Kount Kids Kountry Kids on Campus Kidz First Kindercare Learning Center 21st St. Camp Hill Kindercare Learning Center Mechanicsburg Lamb’s Gate Children’s Center My Place Too River of God Childcare Center Shelley J. Kolln MLC-Shepherdstown Elementary** Small Fry’s Family Day Care MLC-Summerdale Tender Years Child Development Center Children’s Garden of St. John’s Lutheran Church The Goddard School Enola Trinity Day Care Center MLC-Upper Allen After School Program** Uriah United Methodist Church Watch em Grown Childcare & Preschool MLC-West Creek Elementary*

1st Church of God Learning and Play Center Learning and Sharing Little Lambs Day Care Center MLC Northside Elementary** MLC East Pennsboro-Enola** MLC St. Paul’s The Goddard School Rossmoyne Wee Little Lambs Day Care

Bethel Preschool & Day Care Capital Area Children’s Center Carlisle Early Education Center Child and Family Center Shippensburg Childtime School Age Child Care: Bellaire Elementary School** Crestview Elementary School** Hamilton Elementary School** Letort Elementary School** Mooreland Elementary School** Mt. Holly Elementary School** North Dickinson Elementary School** Cumberland County Learning Center KinderCare Learning Center Carlisle KinderCare Learning Center Enola Little Angels Preschool & Child Care Ctr. Mary Loreman* Messiah College Early Learning Center Usha K. Ramamurthy* YMCA Child Development Center

star One Amy Elliot * Beautiful Beginnings Early Learning Center Best Friends Day Care Centers Bonnie L. Parson * Building Blockz Academy of Early Learning Carlisle Family YMCA** Children’s School of New Cumberland Christian Youth Ministries Creative Young Moments Eisenhower Elementary Child Care** God’s Little Ones Kera’s Kids Kindercare Learning Centers - Camp Hill Kindercare Learning Centers - Trindle Road Little Adventures Childcare Center Lori J. Krick Small Steps Day Care Susan Fearnbaugh*

*In Home Family Day Care **School Age Child Care ***Source STARS Provider Report 4/13/12

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2011-2012 Community Report

HEAD START

CHILD CARE WORKS CHILD CARE WORKS Subsidized Child Care Program is a state funded program which assists low income working families pay for childcare.

Services provided: • Help eligible families pay for child care services for children from birth until their thirteenth birthday.

• Assist families of all income levels to find a child care provider through our Parent Resource & Referral Department. This is a free service to the general public.

To learn more about the program or apply on line, go to: http://www.dpw.state.pa.us forchildren/childcareearlylearning/ childcareworkssubsidizedchildcareprogram/index.htm

Head Start is a comprehensive preschool program addressing social, emotional, health, nutritional and educational needs of three to five year old children from low-income households. In order to participate in Head Start, family income is reviewed with the Federal Poverty Guidelines. Children with special needs and/ or disabilities may be considered for enrollment.

Head Start program services are provided in a preschool classroom, operating 4-5 days per week, September through June. The home base model includes weekly home visits and socialization twice a month. Head Start has a proven record of enabling at-risk children to enter school ready and able to succeed.

Early Head Start programs serve pregnant women, and children ages birth to three through a home based model, which includes weekly home visits and Family Days at the center twice per month, year round.

Cumberland County Head Start Services: •

•

Capital Area Early Head Start and Head Start Preschool services operate out of 21 S. Bedford St. in Carlisle (First Lutheran Church).

Call 1-800- 750-8002 for the Carlisle program Shippensburg Head Start Program.

Call (717) 477-1626 for more information on the Shippensburg, Newville and Carlisle service area

Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts, established by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, is bringing quality half-day and full-day pre-kindergarten to 3 and 4 year olds in Pennsylvania. PA Pre-K Counts is designed for children who: • •

are between age 3 and until the entry age for kindergarten; are at risk of school failure, either because of income (300% of the federal poverty level), language (English is not your first language), cultural or special needs issues.

Pre-K Counts is free to families; the program may charge for additional portions of the day (wrap around child care, etc.). Contact the PA Pre-K Counts program in your area directly for eligibility, availability and information on how to enroll.

Cumberland County Pre-K Counts sites: • Carlisle Early Education Center

(717) 243-1528 • Knowledge Learning Corporation

KinderCare, Enola – (717) 728-1720 • Mechanicsburg Area School District

(717) 766-0811

PA Pre-K Counts is free to families who qualify!

The portion of the day that is funded through PA

Early Intervention Are you concerned that your child is not talking, walking, moving, seeing or learning like other children? Are you concerned that your child’s behavior is seriously affecting daily life?

717-240-6325

If your child is between the ages of birth and three, and you live in Cumberland or Perry County.

717-441-7034

If your child is between the ages of birth and three, and you live in Dauphin County.

717-732-8400

If your child is between the ages of three and five, and you live in Dauphin, Cumberland, Perry or Northern York County.

1 800-692-7288 (TTY Accessible)

If your child is between the ages of birth and five, and you live in another County or State.

Free to Families.

2011-2012 Community Report

My son is in H ead Start and w be going to ki ndergarten in ill the fall. The “Get ting Ready fo r Kindergarten Calendar” ha s been a great re source and we look forward to working toge th on the different activities each m er onth.

Thank you.

- “Shippensbur g Head Start M om”

Success By 6 Provides Free Resources for Families! book recommendations and a Kindergarten readiness checklist! 2011-2012 calendars are still available at library locations as well at the United Way of Carlisle & Cumberland County.

Success By 6 provides school readiness activities for families to use at home. A yearlong calendar of activities called “Getting Ready for Kindergarten” is developed annually and made available to parents of children entering kindergarten through child care providers, nursery schools, school districts and the Cumberland County Library System. In the guide you will find information on local libraries, school districts, as well as

Look for the 2012-13 edition to be available this summer!

the Florence & Hilliard Hasenkamp Foundation and the Carlisle Health & Wellness Foundation.

Both resources are free and available at the United Way of Carlisle & Cumberland County, 145 South Hanover Street, Carlisle.

Children D with DirecotiCome o A Guide fo r Parentsns

Children Do Come With Directions – A Guide for Parents (3rd Edition) is a resource guide, produced in cooperation with human service and medical professionals, for families with young children providing information on developmental milestones of children as well as contact information on organizations who provide assistance to families in Cumberland County. The booklet was funded by grants from

3RD ED ITIO

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CUMBERLAND COUNTy LIBRARy SySTEM RAISING RE

All Cumberland County Libraries provide free programs for families.

Visit your local library to discover storytimes, summer reading programs, family programs, as well as board books, picture books, and early reader selections!

A

DERS Raise your child to be a reader with the help of the Cumberland County Library System. Your library can show you how to nurture your ch ild’s reading skills – even bef ore your child is in school!

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For more information visit: CumberlandCountyLibraries.org

• Amelia S. Givin Library-Mt. Holly Springs

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• Bosler Memorial Library-Carlisle • Cleve J. Fredrickson Library-Camp Hill • East Pennsboro Branch-Enola • John Graham Public Library-Newville • Joseph T. Simpson Public LibraryMechanicsburg • New Cumberland Public Library • Shippensburg Public Library

ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN 2011-2012 • Partnered with Sadler Health Center to provide over 600 new books to children ages 6 months to 5 years at their well-child visit through the “Reach Out and Read” program.

• Honored child care professionals at our annual “Night of the STARS” recognizing their commitment to providing quality child care and early learning experiences to the children of Cumberland County.

• Conducted the 10th Annual Kindergarten Readiness Workshop, entitled “Engaging Families in Transition” on February 23 with over 170 teachers, school administrators, child care staff, parents and children’s librarians in order to help children have a successful transition to kindergarten • Increased community awareness of the importance of early care and education through displays at community events and distribution of parenting materials.

• Provided tuition scholarships to 41 qualifying families at participating child care centers through donations totaling over $98,000 received through the Pre-Kindergarten Educational Improvement Tax Credit Program.

• Enhanced relationships with local childcare providers, school districts and other organizations to increase support for early education.

• Maintained a website (http://www.carlisleunitedway.org/Successby6.html) to serve as a resource for childcare providers and families for information on early learning.

• Distributed over 700 copies of the third edition of “Children Do Come With Directions”, a resource guide for parents.

• Encouraged school readiness through the production and distribution of over 7,000 Kindergarten Readiness Calendars for parents and children.

GOALS FOR 2012-2013

• Increase family engagement & support in early learning

• Facilitate successful transitions into early learning and school settings • Act as local resource on quality early learning opportunities

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Get Involved in Success By 6: Get Involved in Success By 6/Cumberland County Local Education And Resource Network (LEARN): For more inform ation on how you can help, contact: Barrie Ann George, Director Success By 6 – United Way of Carlisle & Cumberland County 145 S. Hanover Street Carlisle, Pa 17013 243-4805 Successby6@carlisleunitedway.org