Vision and Guiding Principles
VISION
All children and families in West Virginia will have access to high quality early care and education programs that provide a foundation for academic success and lifelong learning while supporting parents’ ability to work.
GUIDING PRINCIPLES
To achieve success, WV Department of Health and Human Resources, WV Department of Education, Governor’s Cabinet on Children and Families, Head Start, child care agencies, families, faith-based partners and communities will work collaboratively to evolve a statewide early childhood system for children birth to five guided by the following principles:
Equity and Access
Parents enroll children voluntarily in early childhood programs, allowing parents to make appropriate choices for their child and family.
Families have choices among quality early childhood programs, which prepare children for school and lifelong learning, that:
- support a variety of needs (part-day, full work-day and non-traditional hours);
- provide choices among a variety of service delivery systems including public and private centers, schools, and family day care; and
- offer options in locations near home or work.
Families make informed decisions through easy access to information about their options and assistance in making appropriate choices for their child.
Programs are inclusive so that all children have access to high quality programs and are not segregated by income, ability, funding stream, care needs or other characteristics. “Care” and “education” are integrated into one consistent program that address individual strengths and needs.
High Quality Services to Children and Families
Parents are partners through:
- inclusion in decisions regarding their child and the program;
- ongoing meaningful communication; and
- empowerment through support and education.
Programs use developmentally appropriate practice and curriculum that:
- addresses the developmental needs of children;
- addresses goals for children; experiences, roles of staff and parents; materials, equipment and supplies; and sound developmental practices based on current accepted practice; and
- includes curriculum components related to: facilities; materials and equipment; parents as partners; nutrition; disabilities services; health and safety; mental health; family partnerships and community partnerships.
Programs provide for the health, safety and nutritional well-being of children through:
- access to meals and snacks that meet age-appropriate guidelines;
- access to preventive health care; and
- a safe, nurturing environment that facilitates children’s well-being.
Professionals and para-professionals working in all early childhood programs have expertise in early childhood and there are:
- specific criteria for professionals and para-professionals;
- meaningful and flexible educational opportunities that articulate to higher education degrees; and
- opportunities in the system for all early childhood providers.
A qualified and stable workforce is supported through adequate benefits and compensation to all early childhood staff, commensurate with experience and education.
Programs are high quality and inclusive providing continuity and stability for children and families through:
- minimizing staffing changes during the day and reducing turnover over time within programs;
- programs are integrated to support both education and care needs so children are not placed in multiple programs or have multiple staff over the course of a day;
- fostering continuity of home and school through parent partnerships;
- providing smooth transitions between sequential programs that are planned and supportive of children and families.
Quality safeguards are in place through program standards, monitoring and inspection.
High Quality Service Delivery System
Resources are maximized through development of state and local community based collaborative agreements that foster integration and coordination of services, so children have access to high quality programs.
Business partners support quality, accessible and affordable early childhood programs.
Comprehensive services support families and promote children’s healthy physical, social and emotional well-being as well as cognitive development.
Collaborative networks of programs and services, including interagency referrals, meet children’s needs and respect family preferences.
State regulations are streamlined and coordinated to encourage collaborative and consistent services to all children birth through five years.
The system is flexible to support family and community needs.
Multiple strategies, including observations by parents and professionals, measure progress toward outcomes and result in ongoing program improvements.
Public and private sectors are aware of and support high quality early
childhood services.
