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SchoolWorks is a prequalified vendor for the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) in Training Consulting Services and Research Evaluation Consulting Services, and an approved School and District Improvement Partner for the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, with distinguished expertise in Early Education.

 

A high-quality pre-school program isn’t just a place for young children to learn—it's a learning environment that ensures every child has access to the support and opportunities needed for success. For districts looking to improve their early education offerings, it’s essential to engage in a thoughtful, process-driven approach centered on thorough community assessments, creative problem-solving, and collaboration. A qualified consultant can play a pivotal role in this process, offering expertise, structure, and strategies that help communities create more accessible, equitable, and high-quality preschool programs. In this article, we will explore the steps that a district or community can take to improve its preschool services.
 

Engaging in a Needs Assessment

When districts or communities seek to improve their preschool programs, the process typically begins with an assessment phase. A needs assessment is not just about reviewing existing programs, but understanding the broader community context—what are the specific needs, the gaps, and the challenges that the community faces in delivering quality preschool education? Engaging local stakeholders, from parents and community members to educators and service providers, ensures that the program reflects the unique needs of that district or community. This is where a consultant with expertise in strategic planning, program development, and early childhood education can help.

A key component of the needs assessment phase is data collection and analysis. This includes surveys, interviews, policy reviews, and focus groups with local stakeholders. These tools help identify the current strengths and weaknesses of the existing programs and determine the barriers to access—whether it’s transportation issues, limited special education services, or financial constraints. By using this information, districts and communities can develop a more accurate, targeted plan for improvement.
 

Building a Strong Community-Led Planning Team

One of the most crucial steps in developing an effective pre-school program is the creation of a community-led planning team. The inclusion of diverse stakeholders—such as district leaders, early education experts, parents, and community advocates—ensures that the resulting plan reflects a wide range of perspectives and is aligned with the needs of the entire community. 

A successful planning team will not only assess the current district and community programs but also identify new and creative ways to address gaps. For example, a district may need to reimagine how it provides special education supports or how it can offer flexible transportation options for families. 
 

Creative Problem-Solving to Address Gaps

Districts and communities typically face a variety of challenges in offering equitable access to high-quality preschool programs, and it’s crucial to get creative when addressing these gaps. The right consultant will help districts think outside the box, exploring solutions that may not have been considered by local stakeholders. This can include leveraging existing community resources, exploring new funding sources, or piloting alternative delivery models for early childhood education.
 

Implementing a Process-Focused Plan

At the core of any successful improvement effort is a well-organized, process-focused plan. With the use of best practices, the strategic plan, also known as an improvement plan, can include everything from curriculum development and staff training to ongoing progress monitoring and evaluation. 

During the plan implementation phase, districts should incorporate ongoing assessment of key performance indicators, flexibility, and adjustments to strategies based on feedback and data. A good support team will ensure that the district is equipped to monitor the program’s progress continuously and make adjustments as necessary to meet its long-term goals.
 

If you’re interested in learning more about how SchoolWorks has helped districts and communities across Massachusetts, and specifically how SchoolWorks lent support to nine districts (or lead agencies) and their communities as part of the Commonwealth Preschool Partnership Initiative (CPPI) Grant, check out our case study here.

 

Article by Jay Adams,
Managing Director of Quality Reviews