More at Four Pre- Kindergarten Program Ready for School

More at Four Purpose/Goals: Governor Easley’s Vision Readiness for Kindergarten (closing the gap) Focus on at-risk children Developmentally appropriate educational program Voluntary Build on existing service delivery system

Estimated Unserved/Underserved # 4 year olds110,862 # 4 year olds110,862 # at-risk 4 year olds # at-risk 4 year olds (FRL) 44,345 (FRL) 44,345 # 4/5 y.o. preschool # 4/5 y.o. preschool disabilities (not in other) 5,342 disabilities (not in other) 5,342 Total # At-Risk 49,678 # Currently served # Currently served (Title I, 4/5-star, Head Start) -25,802 (Title I, 4/5-star, Head Start) -25,802 Total Unserved & Underserved 23,876 Estimated 1-3 star centers -13,198Estimated 1-3 star centers -13,198 Total Estimated Unserved 10,687

More at Four Legislation $6.456 million (1621 slots) $28 million expansion (to 7621 slots) $8.6 million expansion (to 10,000 slots) Requirement for Local Contribution Joint DHHS and DPI initiative More at Four Task Force Oversight

More at Four Legislation - continued Essential “program” requirements External Evaluation (no longer in legislation as of 03-04) Child-Specific Database with ability to link to public school database Study of all funding sources going to four-year olds; recommendations for any changes

Program Requirements in Brief Maximum class size 18; 9:1 ratio 6 to 6 ½ hour school day Specific criteria for at-risk children Five domains of development addressed; Required research-based curriculum Staff qualifications established Facility/environment requirements Family involvement Screening & ongoing assessments required

Domains of Development Health and physical development Social/emotional development Approaches to learning Language development/communication Cognition & general knowledge

At-Risk Criteria : Optional Family Income Child’s Health Status Identified Special Needs Parent Education Parent Employment Family Composition Housing Stability English Proficiency Minority Status (in combination w/ others)

At-Risk Criteria: Optional Required % & below of poverty5 pts % of poverty4 pts % of poverty3 pts % of poverty2 pts. Extra weighted factors: Limited English proficiency1 pt. Identified disability1 pt. Chronic health problem1 pt.

At-risk Criteria: (continued) For children % poverty level, can be eligible for following reasons: Limited English proficiency Identified disability Chronic health problem Development/educational need No more than 20% of a county’s slots may be filled in this manner.

Order of Priority for Service 1.Unserved Children (never or currently unserved) 2.Eligible for subsidy but not receiving it 3.Unregulated care 4.Other children meeting at-risk criteria, including those in programs not meeting More at Four standards

Recommended Curricula High Scope Creative Curriculum Bright Beginnings Montesorri Bank Street College Note: 1.Other curricula may be reviewed 2.Other materials may be used in combination with a comprehensive curricula

Staff Qualifications: Minimum Credentials Lead teachers - B-K license or pre-school add-on (4 years to attain) Assistants - CDA credential; two-year ECE/CD degree strongly encouraged Administrators - schools: principal license; degree in ECE/CD a goal Administrators – other pre-K settings: Level II working toward Level III Salaries and benefits “comparable” to public schools

Implementation Process State Collaboration: DHHS, DPI, NCPC, Governor’s Office State develops standards/guidelines Community Collaboration – all relevant early childhood groups Develop Local Plan for Use of Slots and Leveraging of Resources- Designates Administrator Orientation & Curriculum Training by State More at Four Office

Putting the Pieces Together

How do they all fit? DHHS More at Four Task Force Dept. of Public Instruc- tion More at Four Program Not This Neatly, But it Works Smart Start

Organizational & Management Structure More at Four Pre-K Office (Governor’s Office) DHHS, Secretary’s Office (budget/contracts) Dept. of Public Instruction More at Four State- Wide Task Force NCPC/ Smart Start Chair County Administering Agency Sites: Public Schools Sites: Private Child Care Sites: Head Start County Planning Comm: Chairs, Supt. & Smart Start Bd. Chair (Executive Committee)

Implementation Status: classes; 1621 child positions approved 28 grants; 34 counties 55% classrooms in public schools

Implementation Status: Expansion to 7,621 positions Moved to formula allocation process for all counties 91 of 100 counties under contract Slower implementation than desired due to late budget, budget cuts, space issues; qualified staff Over 6400 children served

Implementation Status: Counties under contract; last county considering participation 9,661 child slots under contract as of November 30 th ; continuing to complete all 10, children served to date

More at Four Children by Facility Type:

More at Four Children by Facility Type:

Comparisons from to Slight decrease in number of slots in public schools Increase in private child care centers More for-profit centers than non- profits Decrease in Head Start slots (although may increase)

More at Four Web Page (Look for the rectangular link) 919 –