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TRANSCRIPT
Moving Beyond Storytime:
Rethinking Preschool and Daycare Outreach
April Watkins, Early Childhood Senior Librarian
Suffolk Public Library
Traditional Daycare Outreach Observations
• Staff unaware of visit
• Interrupting schedule
• Not age appropriate
• Lack of communication with parents
• Not unique
The Big Question:
Are we making a targeted impact?
Presentation Outline
• Identifying Partners on a Needs Basis
• Background on Suffolk Public Schools Early Start Program
• Scheduling and Staffing a STREAM based Outreach
• Typical STEM Outreach Structure
• Meeting the Needs of Previous Partners
• Challenges & Future Opportunities
• Feedback from Teachers
The WHY of It All
Identifying Partners on a Needs Basis
Public Schools
• VDOE’s School Quality Profiles
• Accreditation
• Title I Status
• Partnering at the District Level
• Headstart • Suffolk has three programs
• Birth-Preschool
Identifying Partners on a Needs Basis
Traditional Facilities
• State licensing offices
• Focus on physical buildings
• Locations receiving subsidies
Suffolk Public School’s Early Start Program
• Offered at 9 Elementary Schools
• Acceptance based on need first
• Economical status
• Disability status
• Full day program
• Offers NO extension classes
Our Goal for SPS Early Start
• Demonstrate a change of schedule
• Offer STREAM programs at no cost
• Build relationships
• Resource for teachers
Scheduling & Staffing
• 2hr blocks, one staff per site- Storytime
• 3hr blocks, two staff per site- STEM
• Outreach Mondays & Thursdays
Typical STEM Outreach
• Same program all month
• Reusing stations
• Budget friendly
• Easily transported
• The mess factor
• Could the teacher recreate this station?
Sample STEM Kit • 6-7 stations
• Budget friendly
• Easy to transport
• Familiar activities
• Could be replicated by teacher
https://www.them
easuredmom.co
m/a-math-game-
for-a-preschool-
insect-theme/
Never underestimate the power of baking soda and vinegar!
Sample STEM Kit Cont.
https://www.adabofgluewilldo.com/swat-the-bug-learning-
activity/
https://homeschoolgiveaways.com/2017/11/free-counting-
bears-color-and-numbers-activity/ https://www.messforless.net/fine-motor-
straw-necklace/#_a5y_p=1403856
Free activity ideas on Pinterest or Teachers Pay
Teachers!
Did We Make an Impact?
Meeting the Needs of Previous Partners
Staff Development
• Teach the teacher model
• STREAM in the classroom
• ECRR2 in the classroom
• Staff meeting topics
• Provided completion certificate
Advantages to this Outreach Style
• Relationships built • Know the kids by name
• Anticipated by schools, staff, and students
• See kids and teachers in their environment
• Learn how students interact
• Reach students with greatest need
Lessons Learned
• Finding space
• Scheduling around testing
• Lots of staff hours
• Financial burden
• Combining classes
• Headstart challenges
Survey Feedback
• All positive feedback
• Every school wanted us to return
• Enriched curriculum
The outreach provided me with activities I could use in my
classroom.
Strongly Agree Agree
Disagree Strongly Disagree
April Watkins Early Childhood Senior
Librarian
Suffolk Public Library
757-514-7324
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