Success By 6

CommunityReport

2011 - 2012

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

Cumberland County

Ear ly Care and Educat ion

Success by 6

Mission Statement

To develop collaboration between

families, community-based groups

and organizations, and individuals

who strive to improve the quality,

availability, and affordability of early

childhood services for all families in

Cumberland County

Celebrate Week of the Young ChildSuccess By 6 invites Cumberland County

to come together for children during the

Week of the Young Child (April 22-28, 2012).

As part of the national Week of the Young

Child celebrated across the country we are

honoring young children and all those who

make a difference in children’s lives. WYOC

is a time to recognize the importance

of early learning and early literacy; and

to celebrate the families, teachers and

organizations that bring early childhood

education to young children.

2011-2012 Community Report

SUCCESS BY 6/LEARNSuccess 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.

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

Commissioner

Barb Cross

reads to children

at the YWCA’s

Early Start

Preschool program


• 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!

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

The STaTe of early learning in Cumberland

CounTy 2010-11*Big Spring AreaSchool Districtwww.bigspringsd.org776-2000

Camp Hill School Districtwww.camphillsd.k12.pa.us901-2400

Carlisle AreaSchool Districtwww.carlisleschools.org240-6800

Cumberland ValleySchool Districtwww.cvschools.org697-8261

East PennsboroSchool Districtwww.epasd.org732-3601

Mechanicsburg AreaSchool Districtwww.mbgsd.org691-4500

Shippensburg AreaSchool Districtwww.shipk12.org530-2700

South MiddletonSchool Districtwww.smsd.us258-6484 x3402

West Shore School Districtwww.wssd.k12.pa.us938-9577

Cumberland CounTy SChool diSTriCTS

For Kindergarten Registration information contact your local school district:

KindergarTen regiSTraTion

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.

✔ Birth Certificate

✔ Social Security Card

✔ Current immunization record

✔ Physical and dental exam performed by a health care professional

✔ Proof of residency

✔ History form completed by parent or guardian

When young children have quality early learningopportunities, they do better in school and aremore successful as adults. When our childrenreach their full potential, we all benefit.

Here are some simple ways YOU can help makequality early education a reality for Pennsylvania’syoung children.

LearnLearn ways you canhelp young childrengrow.

Find quality earlylearning programs inyour community.

Get InvolvedVolunteer at earlylearning programs inyour community.

Join your localLEARN Team.

Tell Your StoryTell your localleaders how earlychildhoodprograms make adifference for yourchild, family andcommunity.

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

“The beginning of kindergarten for children and families is one of the major transitions in their lives” – Jeanne Predmore, Early Childhood Coordinator for South Middleton School District


LOOKING FOR QUALITY CHILD CARE? COUNT THE STARS

✔ 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.

✔ 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.

✔ 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

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.

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.

STARLevel 1

STARLevel 2

STARLevel 3

STARLevel 4


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

Just Started With StarS

Green Ridge Elementary School**Hampden Elementary School**Highland Elementary School**Hillside Elementary School**Kiddie Academy of Silver SpringLower Allen Elementary School**Monroe Elementary School**U-GRO Learning CenterWashington Heights Elementary School Star One

Amy Elliot *Beautiful Beginnings Early Learning CenterBest Friends Day Care CentersBonnie L. Parson *Building Blockz Academy of Early LearningCarlisle Family YMCA**Children’s School of New CumberlandChristian Youth MinistriesCreative Young MomentsEisenhower Elementary Child Care**God’s Little OnesKera’s KidsKindercare Learning Centers - Camp HillKindercare Learning Centers - Trindle RoadLittle Adventures Childcare CenterLori J. KrickSmall Steps Day CareSusan Fearnbaugh*

Star tWO

Mechan icsburg Learning Center (MLC)-Broad Street**

Children’s Center at Camp HillChildren’s Family CenterChurch’s Affiliated Child Care CenterDickinson College Children’s CenterEast Pennsboro West Creek Hills Center**MLC-Elmwood Elementary School**Hoover Elementary School**Jack and Jill Day Care CenterJennifer Peck*Kids KountKids KountryKids on CampusKidz FirstKindercare Learning Center 21st St. Camp HillKindercare Learning Center MechanicsburgLamb’s Gate Children’s CenterMy Place TooRiver of God Childcare CenterShelley J. KollnMLC-Shepherdstown Elementary**Small Fry’s Family Day CareMLC-SummerdaleTender Years Child Development CenterChildren’s Garden of St. John’s Lutheran ChurchThe Goddard School EnolaTrinity Day Care CenterMLC-Upper Allen After School Program**Uriah United Methodist ChurchWatch em Grown Childcare & PreschoolMLC-West Creek Elementary*

Star three

1st Church of God Learning and Play CenterLearning and SharingLittle Lambs Day Care CenterMLC Northside Elementary**MLC East Pennsboro-Enola**MLC St. Paul’sThe Goddard School RossmoyneWee Little Lambs Day Care

Star fOur

Bethel Preschool & Day CareCapital Area Children’s CenterCarlisle Early Education CenterChild and Family Center ShippensburgChildtime 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 CenterKinderCare Learning Center CarlisleKinderCare Learning Center EnolaLittle Angels Preschool & Child Care Ctr.Mary Loreman*Messiah College Early Learning CenterUsha K. Ramamurthy*YMCA Child Development Center

Cumberland CountyKeystone STARS

ProvidersKeystone STARS is Pennsylvania’s Program to

promote continuous quality improvement inearly childhood education.

“…the STARS program is a symbol

of excellence, safety, nurturing

and exemplifies a place for children

to develop and grow. It provides

peace of mind to parents while they

are at work that their child is well

cared for while learning.” -Gina VanKirk, Dickinson College

Children’s Center


CHILD CARE WORKSCHILD 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 Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts

EARLy IntERvEntIOnAre 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?

717-240-6325If your child is between the ages of birth and three, and you live in Cumberland or Perry County.

717-441-7034If your child is between the ages of birth and three, and you live in Dauphin County.

717-732-8400If 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.

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.

PA Pre-K Counts is free to families who qualify! The portion of the day that is funded through PA

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

CUMBERLAnD COUnty LIBRARy SyStEM

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

HEAD StARt


SucceSS By 6 ProvideS Free reSourceS For FamilieS!

cumBerlaNd couNTy liBrary SySTem

For more information visit:CumberlandCountyLibraries.org

Success By 6 provides school readiness activities for families to use at home. A year-long 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

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.

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

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

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 Do Comewith DirectionsA Guide for Parents3RD EDITION

RAISING READERSRaise your child to be a reader with the help of the Cumberland County Library System. Your library can show you how to nurture your child’s reading skills – even before your child is in school!

What Can You Do?1. Read Early and Often

2. Provide a Rich Mixture of

Early Learning Experiences

3. Visit the Library Often

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!

• Amelia S. Givin Library-Mt. Holly Springs

• Bosler Memorial Library-Carlisle

• Cleve J. Fredrickson Library-Camp Hill

• East Pennsboro Branch-Enola

• John Graham Public Library-Newville

• Joseph T. Simpson Public Library-Mechanicsburg

• New Cumberland Public Library

• Shippensburg Public Library

My son is in Head Start and will be going to kindergarten in the fall. The “Getting Ready for Kindergarten Calendar” has been a great resource and we look forward to working together on the different activities each month. Thank you. - “Shippensburg Head Start Mom”

“My granddaughter, Olive, is

an

only child, so she doesn’t h

ave many

opportunities to interact with other

children. Since I’ve been bringing

her to the Library’s S

tory Time, she’s

become quite social. She greets e

v-

ery little baby who comes in

the room

and sometimes hugs th

em. Now

that she’s b

een watching the other

children, she’s tr

ying to walk!”

Eliza

beth V.

Cumberland CountyEar ly Care and Educat ion• Partnered with Sadler Health Center to provide over 600 new books to

childrenages6monthsto5yearsattheirwell-childvisitthroughthe“ReachOutandRead”program.

• Honored child care professionals at our annual “Night of the STARS”recognizingtheircommitmenttoprovidingqualitychildcareandearlylearningexperiencestothechildrenofCumberlandCounty.

• Provided tuition scholarships to41qualifying families atparticipatingchildcarecentersthroughdonationstotalingover$98,000receivedthroughthePre-KindergartenEducationalImprovementTaxCreditProgram.

• Maintainedawebsite(http://www.carlisleunitedway.org/Successby6.html)toserveasa resource forchildcareprovidersand families for informationonearlylearning.

• Encouragedschoolreadinessthroughtheproductionanddistributionofover7,000KindergartenReadinessCalendarsforparentsandchildren.

• Conducted the 10th Annual Kindergarten Readiness Workshop, entitled“Engaging Families in Transition” on February 23with over 170 teachers,school administrators, child care staff, parents and children’s librarians inordertohelpchildrenhaveasuccessfultransitiontokindergarten

• Increased community awareness of the importance of early care andeducationthroughdisplaysatcommunityeventsanddistributionofparentingmaterials.

• Enhanced relationshipswith local childcareproviders, school districts andotherorganizationstoincreasesupportforearlyeducation.

• Distributedover700copiesofthethirdeditionof“ChildrenDoComeWithDirections”,aresourceguideforparents.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN 2011-2012

The Success by 6

initiative is made

up of a group of

interested volunteers

with a common

goal-to improve

the future for the

youngest members

of our community.

Everyone is welcome: parents, grandparents, educators, business representatives, human service professionals, early education professionals…

GOALS FOR 2012-2013• Increasefamilyengagement&supportinearlylearning

• Facilitatesuccessfultransitionsintoearlylearningandschoolsettings

• Actaslocalresourceonqualityearlylearningopportunities

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 [email protected]

Documents

Success By 6