Early Childhood Education
HEAD START
The Head Start programme is a initiative funded by the Waterford Area Partnership since 2003, supported by HASBRO Ireland, delivered through Primary Schools and aimed at children starting Primary School who have not had the benefit of a pre-school education. The programme provides small grants to each school to enable them to buy learning materials and meet with the parents & children prior to starting school.
PROGRAMME AIMS
The main aims of the programme were listed in the questionnaire as follows: -
- To build on pre-reading and pre-writing skills
- To provide educational materials to disadvantaged children
- To establish communication between parents and school before children start school
- To provide an opportunity for parents to voice issues relating to their child starting school.
The Head Start Programme gives an opportunity to schools to develop a relationship with the parents was invaluable, many would have experienced educational disadvantage themselves. Many of these parents brought their own fears to the school environment, however it was stated that once a connection was made ‘a relationship could be developed ‘. It has been recommended by an Evaluation of the programme that Waterford Area Partnership carried out in 2007 ‘that building this relationship with parents should be the main aim of the programme’.
Funding available to Primary Schools during April/May. For further information contact Margaret Mulligan Tel: 840011 or 841740.