The Head Start Policy Council, an assistance program for preschool children and their low-income families, discussed how preschools are adapting to virtual learning and examined changes in enrollment at a meeting Monday.
With new council members in attendance, Head Start reviewed some of the ways they are adjusting their program during the pandemic.
Enrollment update
Head Start partners with several childcare programs and preschools. The three childcare programs are Cactus Kids Preschool, Immanuel Care, and Out of This World, said Jose M. Garcia, the data manager for the council. As of this morning, 69 children are currently enrolled in Cactus Kids, with 15 in Immanuel Care, and 41 in Out of This World. Overall, there are 125 kids enrolled out of 188 possible, meaning 66% of possible enrollment has been reached.
The Council works with six different preschools and can serve up to 300 preschool children. Currently, 255 children are enrolled, leaving room for 45 more.
Head Start limits assistance to families considered over income, allowing only 10% of children over income to be accepted into the program. An area of concern raised during the meeting was whether more over income families should be accepted, considering added financial stresses due to the pandemic.
“Some of the slots are being held, and we don’t want to fill all the over income slots at the beginning of the year,” said Deputy Human Services Director Patricia Kirkland. “Even with over income slots, we still look at the selection criteria and the needs of the family. We want to make sure those that are the most in need are the ones we’re serving.”
Virtual learning
Currently, only one preschool, Deer Valley preschool, is having in-person classes. Up until today, another preschool, Washington, was having in-person classes but transitioned to virtual learning due to rising cases in Arizona. Additionally, Cactus Kids, a child care partner of Head Start, is closed and will reopen on Nov. 30, according to Kirkland.
However, Head Start is going to continue conducting monitoring reports throughout all programs. In order for the Council to receive in-kind contributions, these classroom evaluations are essential, said accountant Juliana Panqueva-Camargo.
“The reporting is the most important piece … To be present with the child is very important and valuable to the program,” said Panqueva-Camargo.
However, volunteers are finding this increasingly difficult as schools begin to reclose.
“Unfortunately, we’re seeing a lot of that right now,” said Kirkland. “We won’t be doing some of the reports, but we will be doing some.”
Contact the reporter at omccann1@asu.edu.
