1. Welcome Families!
To Orientation

2. Your Early Learning Center Staff and Contact Information
Center Director:
Center Coordinator:
Teacher(s):
Family Support Staff:
Nurse:
Cook:
Bus Driver:
Front Desk Staff (Main Office):
Contact Information:

3. Center General Information
School Year Calendar
Class Schedule
Program Hours
Methods of Regular Communication
Snacks and Meals provided by center free of charge
Outdoor and other large motor activity time occurs regularly

4. What Is Early Learning? (aka Preschool)
A comprehensive, school readiness, family- centered program that includes education, social services, family support, family engagement, and health and nutrition services for children and families.
School Readiness is at the heart of our program and our goal is to ensure each child enrolled AND their family is ready for their future educational experience.

5. There are Many Ways You Can Be Engaged
You are your child’s first teacher. You know your child better than anyone. We Need YOU To Be Engaged!
There are Many Ways You Can Be Engaged
Helping in the classroom
Sharing family tradition (stories, music, dance, clothing)
Assisting on field trips
Helping plan family activities
Supporting your child’s learning at home (reading, singing, spending time with your child)
Preparing materials at home (cutting materials out, making/drawing posters)
Participate on interview panels
Parent Committee
Policy Council

6. Health Services Health Screenings Physical and Dental exams
Exposure Notices and temporary exclusion of children
Disaster supplies
Food handling and preparation
Guidelines

7. Parents and Teachers are Partners
2 Way Partnership
Parent Teacher Conferences
Home Visits
Visit the Classroom and Volunteer
Educational Support & Tools
Ages and Stages Questionnaire
Classroom Philosophy & Approach

8. What is Family Engagement?
Family Engagement – When families are engaged in their child’s learning environment it contributes to their child’s school readiness.
It Means We Listen To You - We work to build a relationship with you and your child based on your own culture, beliefs, and values.
We Work To Encourage & Support Relationships - Your own relationship with your child and your connection to your community. (We’ve already started Family Engagement with You at enrollment)
Home-School Connection – While a child does most of their learning at home, your child’s learning is enhanced in partnership between what they learn at home and at school
Purpose of collecting information from parents
Examples of family engagement at home
Playing with your family
Reading / Art (painting, drawing, dancing, music, etc.)
Cooking family meals together
Talking/ Oral story telling
Staff can start this slide by asking parents what they think Family Engagement is
Staff can talk about the purpose of why we collect the information that we do, including the Parent Interest Survey.
Staff can also show the Parent Interest Survey to parents

9. What Is Family Support?
Family Support services work toward strengthening families to support the well being and healthy development of all family members.
Family Support staff are your first stop for services and resources provided directly from your early learning center.
Family Support staff can provide referrals for parent professional development opportunities, services, and activities provided through Puget Sound Educational Service District
Family Support staff will partner with families to provide information on resources (food, clothing, counseling, medical, dental, daycare, etc.) available in your community that you can contact.
We welcome your comments and feedback on the level of customer service you receive from the community resources.
We are available for home and/or office visits.
Our office is for you! We love to see you, so please feel free to stop by the office and say “Hi!”.
Family Support staff are your first stop for services and resources provided directly from your early learning center – Applicable if your center has a resource center directly
Family Support staff will partner with families to provide information on resources (food, clothing, counseling, medical, dental, daycare, etc.) available in your community that you can contact. - Applicable if parents share an emergent need

10. Program Resources Provided by Puget Sound Educational Service District
Services
Trainings
Activities & Events
Peer Literacy
Peer Health
Peer Math
Peer Money
Bus Driver
Interpreter
Bilingual Instructional Assistant (BIA)
GED
ERSEA Committee
Policy Council
Advocacy Day
Interpreter Services
We honor and value the diversity of our early learning program. Interpreters can be provided for program services, trainings, events, and meetings. So please let us know if you would like an interpreter in your first language.

11. Puget Sound Educational Service District Early Learning Program Policies, Procedures, & Standards of Conduct
Confidentiality - All child and family information obtained by staff is confidential.
Child Abuse and Neglect & Mandated Reporting
Attendance Policy - Regular attendance is important, but if your child is sick and/or has an appointment please contact the classroom or Family Support Specialist.
Criminal Record Checks & Drug and Alcohol Free Workplace
Community Complaints – from community members or families enrolled in our early learning program
Safe Arrival & Departures
Active Supervision, Child Guidance & Support
Birthdays - Although Birthdays are a wonderful time to recognize your child, we ask that you do not send any cupcakes or treats to school due to allergies that other children may have. It also ensures that our program respects all cultural traditions.
See Orientation to Early Learning Policies for talking points.

12. Our Parent Organizations
Parent Committee - a group of parents/guardians working together to help plan family events at the center level.
An opportunity to build relationships with other parents/guardians.
Opportunities to share your family culture through food, clothing, music, arts, crafts, etc.
Policy Council - “The decision and policy making body for early learning.” This council consists of parents/guardians who work to create policies for the program.
An opportunity to meet and collaborate with parents/guardians from other programs.
Meetings are once a month, with a light meal service, and mileage reimbursement provided.
You can join any or all of these organizations.
Participation in these organizations are free!
For more information please contact your family support staff.

13. Parent Funds
Parent Funds - Supporting families with costs associated with family engagement at center activities is important. Each year, the PSESD Early Learning Policy Council reviews and approves acceptable categories for the use of Parent Funds. Each center or site is required to maintain Parent Funds separate from other program funds.
Center Parents, the Center Parent Committee, develop the Parent Fund budget using allowable categories for expenditures as a guide. The Parent Fund Policy outlines the allowable categories:
Childcare for parents/parent figures participating in Early Learning activities
Food provided at center parent or family activities
Transportation/mileage reimbursement for parent(s) or caregivers
Speakers/trainers
Parent training and meeting supplies for parent activities
Training (examples are literacy, health, safety, parenting)
Admissions to (outside) activities that build community and enhance parent development.
(No funds will be spent on family emergencies, classroom supplies/activities or alcohol/tobacco/drugs, or any other use prohibited by federal or state regulations)

14. School Readiness & Opportunity Gap
Family Support Start - Please explain the relationship between good attendance and poor attendance and how that child could be in the opportunity gap before they enter kindergarten
Please explain the relationship between good attendance and poor attendance and how that child could be in the opportunity gap before they enter kindergarten.

15. We appreciate the opportunity to partner with you in getting your child ready for kindergarten!