Statewide Voluntary Preschool Program for Four-Year-Old Children
The purpose of Iowa's Statewide Voluntary Preschool Program for Four-Year-Old Children is to provide an opportunity for all young children in the State of iowa to enter school ready to learn by expanding voluntary access to quality preschool curricula for all four-year-old children. The allocation of funds for the Statewide Voluntary Preschool Program is intended to improve access to quality early childhood education and provide a predictable, equitable and sustainable funding method to increase the number of children participating in quality programs. Therefore, the four-year-old preschool funds should increase the number of children participating in quality programs. The statewide program was established May 10, 2007.
3 to 5 Every Child Reads
Every Child Reads 3-5 (ECR 3-5) is a statewide initiative led by the Iowa Department of Education to enhance the literacy development of preschool children. The goal is to expand the capacity of early care and education systems (including early childhood care and education providers) to use language, reading, and writing strategies to enhance the literacy development of children 3 to 5 years of age.
Early Childhood Iowa
Early Childhood Iowa believes that ensuring a strong start for every child is a shared responsibility of every member of the Iowa community and promotes our state's early childhood vision: Every child, beginning at birth, will be healthy & successful. In order to make this vision a reality, Early Childhood Iowa programs receive on-going support to achieve proven results for children ages 0 - 5 years and their families.
Early Childhood Special Education
Early childhood special education services for children, three to five years of age and their families are provided by area education agencies and local school districts. Professionals with training and expertise in special education services implement the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Part B. Early childhood services and resources are provided to support the educational needs of young children and families three to five years of age.
Early Childhood Standards
Voluntary early childhood state standards and information are provided for implementation of quality early learning child (Early Learning Standards) and program (Iowa Quality Preschool Program Standards) developmentally appropriate practices.
Even Start
Even Start is a Federally funded program that supports improving the educational opportunities of the Nation's low-income families by integrating early childhood education, adult literacy or adult basic education, and parenting education into a unified family literacy program.
Head Start
The Head Start community recognizes that the states play an important role in the formulation and implementation of policies and initiatives that affect low-income children and their families.
Head Start State Collaboration Office
This office ensures the coordination of Head Start services with health care, welfare, child care, education and community service activities, family literacy services, services to homeless families, and activities relating to children with disabilities.
Iowa Early Childhood Network
The Iowa Early Childhood Network is a leadership group of Early Childhood specialists from each area education agency who meet monthly to provide technical assistance to early childhood programs within their region.
Shared Visions Preschool Program
The Shared Visions Preschool programs provide quality child development programs for high-risk children in 51 Iowa counties. The preschool programs are accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children and serve children ages three to five
Early Childhood Iowa Core Curriculum
In accordance with Iowa's state-wide school district efforts to improve teaching and learning, the Early Childhood Services Bureau of the Iowa Department of Education has aligned the Iowa Early Learning Standards (IELS) with the Iowa Core Curriculum.
Iowa Core Curriculum:Birth to Five Essential Concepts and Skills