At our Head Start centers children enjoy a positive, nurturing environment where highly qualified early childhood educators engage them in “play with a purpose” that helps them gain the skills and knowledge they need to be successful in school. In addition to group activities and free play, children at KCI regularly engage in structured small group activities where teachers provide instruction des
igned to build their vocabulary, numeracy and social skills. The children we serve often face complex challenges to their healthy growth and development. Fifty-six children were diagnosed with a disability, such as a speech and language delay, during the program year. Many others deal with untreated dental or physical health needs, food insecurity, chronic family stress or exposure to the many other adverse experiences that poverty can create for families. That’s why Kids’ Corps provides much more than a high quality pre-school. In addition we offer a comprehensive child development program that includes health, dental, behavioral and developmental screenings and follow up services, healthy meals that meet 2/3 of the children’s minimum daily nutritional requirements and transportation to Head Start for children who might not otherwise be able to attend. Most importantly, we work closely with parents to enhance their parenting skills and increase their engagement in their child’s learning and support their family’s well-being. Since 1990 over 9,000 Anchorage children have enjoyed and benefitted from the head start we provide. Here a few of the many positive results they have experienced:
• Of the 56% of children assessed to be behind age expectations for vocabulary and language development in October 2015, only 18% remained behind age expectations in May, 2016.
• 19 children received eye-glasses and 86 children received dental treatment because of our health and dental screenings
• 82% of parents of Kids’ Corps children reported they experienced “significant growth” in understanding how to make everyday activities (laundry, grocery shopping, cooking, etc.) into learning experiences for their children because of their participation in our program
• In 2015 independent observers using the nationally tested Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS) rated our program as “high quality” in the area of emotional support
