Sharing Web Resources
In a previous blog post, I discussed a web site that provides a great deal if information on many topics related to Head Start and early childhood in general. The Early Childhood Learning and Knowledge Center (ECLKC) is managed by the Office of Head Start. It is updated frequently with not only Head Start specific information but also information for all early childhood professionals and parents.
Recently, I have been using a new section on ECLKC. It provides a wealth of information on School Readiness Goals. Head Start programs receive a considerable amount of guidance from the Office of Head Start which is an office of the Administration for Children and Families and a component of the Department of Health and Human Services. A few months ago, information was pushed out to programs introducing revised child outcomes. The Child Development and Early Learning Framework (CDELF) outlines eleven domain areas and many indicators within the domains that are skills young children need to be prepared to enter kindergarten. We were charged with developing School Readiness Goals that specifically met the needs of our respective programs. I was pleased to notice an area on ECLKC that provides clear guidance and examples for what an appropriate goal should include. What was even better was that the work I had already done to begin formulating my goals aligned with what I was seeing on the new section! The CDELF is based on the most current neuroscience and is developmentally appropriate. A great deal of collaborative work by the experts in the field went in to the development of the new framework.
ECLKC also provides information on operational changes for programs. Most recently, an information memorandum posted about criteria for in-kind contributions. Head Start funding is unique in that as a program, we must show a 20% match based on the total amount of the Federal money provided in donated services and volunteer hours. This is sometimes a challenge. The new revisions posted on ECLKC clarify the recent changes. ECLKC posts all official updates related to the operation of Head Start.
I schedule time to review what is new on this web site at least two times per week. There is a wealth of information that any early childhood professional could find useful. The information on school readiness is certainly a good example of that.
Reference
Early Childhood Learning and knowledge Center- http://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/hslc
