The goal of our Education & Early
Childhood Development Content Area is to provide
a comprehensive child development program that addresses
the present and future social, cognitive, emotional,
and physical needs of the Head Start child and his/her
family. An interdisciplinary team approach is advocated.
The learning environment is geared to the ages and
the developmental levels of the children in each
classroom.
Procedures are developed and implemented which allow
staff to identifyeach child's strengths, limitations,
and special needs, and how to best meet those needs.
The procedures include IEP's
for the children with disabilities and individualized
planning for all children.
The children are exposed to their community and
areas outside the center environment. Field trips
include activities relating specifically to local
community events, organizations and businesses which
provide unique learning experiences for Hoboken
children.
Each child is provided with both teacher and child
initiated activities to foster:
1. Language Development
2. Literacy Skills
3. Mathematics Knowledge & Awareness
4. Science Knowledge & Awareness
5. Creative Arts Expression
6. Social & Emotional Development
7. Positive approaches to Learning
8. Physical Health & Development
Health
Services
Head Start's commitment to wellness
embraces a comprehensive vision of health for children,
families, and staff. Services also include dental health
and dental wellness.
The objective of the Health
Services Content Area is to ensure that, through
collaboration and partnerships with families, staff and health professionals,
all children's health and developmental concerns
are identified. And children and families are linked
to an ongoing source of continuous, accessible care
to meet their basic health needs.
The staff is trained to identify health problems and refer
to the appropriate agency for follow up.
The program receives support from two public school nurses and a volunteer Dental Consultant
who provides an initial dental screening. Prevent Blindness receives funding to provide training
support and follow up for vision screenings. Staff are certified to conduct vision screenings.
Hearing screenings are also conducted by a qualified staff member. Immunizations are kept
current through careful monitoring and referrals to agencies.
HOPES Head Start has a well established Health Services
Advisory Committee. There is a drawing togeter of local health
care professionals, Head Start staff, parents and local community
residents who assist with the planning, implementation and evaluation
of all of the Early Childhood Development health services provided to
children and families. Each year this committee plans an annual
Health Fair in collaboration with the Hoboken Board of Education and
St. Mary Center for Family Health. Opportunities for comprehensive
health screenings are available to all pre-schoolers residing in the
Hoboken community.
Family
and Community Partnerships
Head Start offers parents opportunities
and support for growth, so that they can identify
their own strengths, needs and interests, and find
their own solutions. The objective of the Family
& Community Partnerships Content Area is to
support parents as they identify and meet their
own goals, nurture the development of children in
the context of their family and culture, and advocate
for communities that are supportive of children
and families. The building of trusting, collaborative
relationships between parents and staff allows them
to share with and to learn from one another.
Nutrition Services
Menus are planned by a qualified nutritionist
and meets 2/3 of the children's daily
nutritional requirements. Breakfast, lunch and a snack are
prepared on site and are reflective of the cultures served.
