Preschool Strategic Plan

Background In 2010, the C.A.A.D. School District had a strategic plan to begin preschools in the district. The strategic plan was carried out and currently the district has 5 highly successful preschools in their highest poverty schools. Our preschools are 4 and 5 star programs based on the state of Arizona gold measure assessment. Given the research supporting the education of students from ages 3-5 and the demand to continue to educate our youngest children, a strategic plan is needed to plan and guide our future growth and development of early childhood centers in the C.A.A.D. School District. Currently, our five early childhood centers placed at five different schools are at capacity and have a waiting list. The organization

Notices are distributed to our K-5 students through the backpack express, at each school office and in local community centers and gathering places such as doctors’ offices, grocery stores and apartment complexes. In 2010, the C.A.A.D. school district had 25 students in one early childhood learning center. Each year, the C.A.A.D. school district was able to add an additional site, totaling 5 Early Childhood Centers, each at capacity of 25 students with 10 or more students on the waiting list at each site. Adding early childhood centers increased the enrollment for the school and for the entire C.A.A.D. district. See the charts with enrollment and the waiting list over the next four years. (Figure 2 & Figure

The Arizona Early Learning Standards are provided by the Arizona Department of Education. The Arizona Early Learning Standards have been developed to provide a framework for the planning of quality learning experiences for all children three to five years of age. The standards cover a broad range of skill development and provide a useful instructional foundation for children from diverse backgrounds and with diverse abilities. The standards are intended for use by all those who work with young children in any early care and education setting in urban, rural and tribal communities. Organizations within Arizona provide support for early learning centers such as First Things First and Thrive to Five. Each organization provides guidance and support for teachers in early childhood education curriculum to best meet the needs of students. The organizations also provide support to parents as the child’s first teacher. Thrive to Five provides parent and teacher workshops, activities, and ongoing support with academic and social concerns for the early learners. Sixteen of the twenty schools have a parent liaison, which serves as the liaison between the families, Thrive to five and the school. The parent liaison helps bring the curriculum alive for families so they can best support their children at