Reopening School-based Early Childhood Programs Survey – To Be Completed by September 4
All school divisions are required to complete and submit the Reopening Early Childhood Programs Survey to VDOE Office of Early Childhood by Friday, September 4, 2020. Results of this survey will help the Office of Early Childhood staff, Training and Technical Assistance Centers (TTAC), and partners at the University of Virginia’s (UVA) Center for Advanced Study of Teaching and Learning (CASTL) as they provide technical assistance to early childhood programs. Each school division needs to submit one survey response as a unified voice for the early childhood program. Please share this survey link with the appropriate early childhood leaders within your division and ask them to collaborate on providing one survey response.
PreK Pilot for Child Behavior Rating Scale (CBRS)- Virginia Kindergarten Readiness Program (VKRP) – Participation Intent Forms due TODAY (August 14)
As noted in Superintendent’s Memo 184-20, PreK teachers in divisions choosing to participate will have the option to pilot use of the Child Behavior Rating Scale (CBRS), the assessment tool used to measure self-regulation and social skills, as part of VKRP this school year (2020-2021). If your division decides to participate, a "PreK VKRP Division Representative" should be selected and will be responsible for reaching out to VKRP. Contact information and participation intent should be submitted via the VKRP-CBRS PreK Pilot Interest Form by COB today, Friday, August 14. VKRP will provide further information on participation guidelines, training and support.
Visit the VKRP website to learn more about the CBRS tool and VKRP resources.
Guidance for Partnering to Provide Child Care during Virtual Learning
Virtual learning for public schools increases the need for safe, supervised care for an increased number of children from PreK through age 12. VDOE and VDSS developed joint guidance for school districts that are interested in partnering with local government agencies, child care providers, and community-based organizations to identify and meet the needs for out-of-home care while students participate in virtual learning. The guidance is also available on VDOE’s COVID-19 resource page.
Program Information for ECSE and Title I Early Childhood Classrooms
To gain an understanding of how school divisions are providing quality preschool services to children and families in all school based PreK (ECSE, Title I, VPI), VPI virtual monitoring will include general questions related to ECSE and Title I for 2020-2021. This is an opportunity for program leaders to share how early childhood services are being implemented during a year impacted by COVID 19. It will be important for program leaders of all school-based early childhood programs to be involved in the virtual VPI monitoring.
There is more information in the VPI section of this issue regarding the VPI Virtual Monitoring and EC Program Information Webinar. Coordinators and leaders for all school-based early childhood programs should attend (ECSE, Title I, VPI).
“Cups and Conversations” Focuses on Conducting Special Education Eligibility Evaluations, Profiling Head Start Perspectives on Reopening ECCE Programs Upcoming
The “Cups and Conversations” series is a time for colleagues from across the Commonwealth to informally talk about how they are supporting families and young children through the COVID-19 crisis. Summer sessions have focused on the topic “Reopening ECCE Programs,” and several program types, including child care, VPI, and two Preschool Development Grant, Birth to Five (PDG B-5) pilot communities have been profiled. Head Start perspectives will be shared during the next conversation on August 26th.
The August 12 session focused on special education eligibility evaluations during the pandemic. Allison Strickland from Henrico County Public Schools and Renee Savedge from Williamsburg-James City County Public Schools discussed data sources and procedures implemented in their school division to determine a child's eligibility for special education and related services. The previously recorded webinar: Eligibility Evaluation Considerations During COVID-19, may be viewed in conjunction with the Cups and Conversation recording.
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Register for the Cups and Conversation Recurring Series
- Every other Wednesday at 9 a.m., the next session is on August 26 at 9 a.m.
New! Resource for Children Experiencing Homelessness
Project HOPE-Virginia has developed a one page overview of the important role early childhood educators play in the lives of young children and their families when experiencing homelessness. A video is also available for early childhood professionals providing additional details about legislative requirements, strategies, resources, as well as additional considerations during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Survey: Child Care Needs During the Pandemic
Communities across the state of Virginia are working with regional partners to help with critical child care challenges resulting from COVID 19. The Virginia Early Childhood Foundation (VECF) supports the efforts of communities and is working hard to advocate for families.
To ensure family needs are understood and addressed during this pandemic, VECF is conducting a childcare needs survey. The survey, open until August 21, 2020, is anonymous and will help decision-makers better serve families across the state. Please share this survey with families in your community.
Survey of Child Care Needs During the COVID-19 Pandemic
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