The Rise Of The [Illinois Early Childhood] Machine [img=/assets/blog/200712/ilovelucy120507.jpg F:R][html]There's a story in the most recent [b]American Prospect[/b] about the rise of the early childhood machine in Illinois that is worth checking out, even though it feels frustratingly incomplete (Pre-K Politics in the States). Tracing the development of early childhood coalition-building in Illinois, the piece focuses on the state's Early Learning Council (Yo Elliot!) and its attention to quality and capacity issues that have hindered other states' UPK efforts. Local funders, the Ounce, and a savvy media campaign focused on economic benefits of ECE have all helped. But we've read all this before, and this story doesn't detail the real-world political and implementation issues with any specificity. Let's be clear. Expanding early childhood is a bear of a thing to do well. Getting the funding and politics right is a great accomplishment, but its' just the beginning.[/html]
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Fri Dec 7, 2007 at 5:48 AM
The Rise Of The [Illinois Early Childhood] Machine
Gov. Blagojevich's Pre-K for All program is one of the best things that anyone's done for early childhood education. It needs to be carefully watched so that it doesn't wind up subdidizing clout heavy day care centers under the guise of "pre school", but deserves a lot of thank yous. Examples I've personally seen in CPS schools have been really moving, and certainly they're the kind of things anyone would want for children they love.
And this is being said from a family where the child didn't "qualify" for pre-K three years ago because we weren't poor or otherwise eligible. That's still fine, because the quality of the programs can be monitored and kept transparent as long as they are public services.
And this is being said from a family where the child didn't "qualify" for pre-K three years ago because we weren't poor or otherwise eligible. That's still fine, because the quality of the programs can be monitored and kept transparent as long as they are public services.
Fri Dec 7, 2007 at 5:55 PM
The Rise Of The [Illinois Early Childhood] Machine
If you all want to look at a high quality preschool program, read the studies on the old Child Parent Centers. I say this, because the new CPC's are not working at the capacity the old ones were. There were amazing results that came out of those full day programs with parent support and GED programs onsite. In fact there was an adult in the building dedicated to parental education.
While PSA is a great program, 2.5 hours is a very short time (especially in winter with all the winter gear). Though I think it will be a long time before we have 4 or 5 hour preschool. A lot of those programs are long gone in a way to "service more children." I think the PFA, may have lead to some of those programs being cut to 1/2 time - or closing full day programs to open more 1/2 day programs elsewhere. At least in my experience working in half day settings, it is hard for many families to find someone to pick up their children after 2.5 hours if they are in the AM session or drop them off for the PM session if they are working or in school. This often results in children being in the programs longer than they should, but downs the quality because then two classes are combined, instead of having 18 - 21 kids all day long.
Head Start classrooms also are federally mandated to do family style meals two times a day and brush teeth. This takes away from the educational program and takes a lot of time in 2.5 hours. Though a lot of socialization can happen at meal times, it would maybe be a better use of time if we served one meal and left the teeth brushing for the families. There is a whole procedure of teeth brushing.... Anyone ever try to brush teeth with 20, 3 year olds? It is pretty time consuming and if parental volunteers aren't available one of the main "educators" in the classroom is left supervising and sanitizing teethbrushing routine. (It is about a 20 or so minute process if everyone is present).
While PSA is a great program, 2.5 hours is a very short time (especially in winter with all the winter gear). Though I think it will be a long time before we have 4 or 5 hour preschool. A lot of those programs are long gone in a way to "service more children." I think the PFA, may have lead to some of those programs being cut to 1/2 time - or closing full day programs to open more 1/2 day programs elsewhere. At least in my experience working in half day settings, it is hard for many families to find someone to pick up their children after 2.5 hours if they are in the AM session or drop them off for the PM session if they are working or in school. This often results in children being in the programs longer than they should, but downs the quality because then two classes are combined, instead of having 18 - 21 kids all day long.
Head Start classrooms also are federally mandated to do family style meals two times a day and brush teeth. This takes away from the educational program and takes a lot of time in 2.5 hours. Though a lot of socialization can happen at meal times, it would maybe be a better use of time if we served one meal and left the teeth brushing for the families. There is a whole procedure of teeth brushing.... Anyone ever try to brush teeth with 20, 3 year olds? It is pretty time consuming and if parental volunteers aren't available one of the main "educators" in the classroom is left supervising and sanitizing teethbrushing routine. (It is about a 20 or so minute process if everyone is present).
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