As part of this celebration, the local
Planning Region Team 14 (serving Garden, Deuel, Cheyenne, and Kimball counties)
is coordinating efforts with local programs to inform communities about what
early childhood efforts look like in your county.
Child
Care: Garden County’s single licensed childcare program has lots going on. Kicks and Giggles, owned by Rita Kirch, is
located in Oshkosh. In July of 2016,
Rita and her staff began a partnership with Sixpence Sprouting Success: a
program funded through three grants awarded to the Panhandle by the Sixpence
Early Learning Fund. The Sixpence Early Learning Fund is Nebraska's signature effort to put our
state's youngest and most vulnerable children on the path to success in school
and life. Sixpence promotes high-quality early care and learning opportunities
that guide the healthy development of infants and toddlers.
Rita and her staff receive coaching and
are working hard to become highly educated about the needed experiences of
young children through professional development opportunities. In addition, they are making changes to their
environments both indoor and out, in order to provide infants and toddlers with
quality experience. These efforts will be measured by Kicks and Giggles participation
in the state’s Quality Rating and Improvement System: Step Up to Quality.
Home
Visitation: You may recognize the Sixpence Early Learning Fund in your
district’s budget because childcare is not their only involvement in Garden
County. Sixpence Home Visitation of Garden County is provided through a
partnership between Volunteers of America-Western Nebraska (VOA-WN) and Garden
County Schools (GCS), funded through a grant from Sixpence. A family home consultant provides home
visitation to 12-15 families of infants and toddlers who may be at risk. This local Sixpence program uses the Parents as Teachers
curriculum and engages participants through regular meetings, social events,
and ongoing support! To learn more about this program and see if you qualify
for participation, please contact the VOA-WN office (308-778-5548).
Preschool: Garden County Schools and VOA-Western Nebraska
partner to provide the local preschool opportunities for families. The program
is housed in Garden County Elementary and provides half day preschool programs
to children ages 3-5. The program’s teacher is Katie Ashmore, along with
support staff; provide students with age appropriate activities to help prepare
them to be Kindergarten ready. If you are interested in enrolling your child in
preschool, please contact the VOA-WN office (308-778-5548).
Early Intervention: Garden County Schools, in partnership
with the Early Development Network, provide services coordination and
intervention for children. Kids who receive services with ages birth to three
years, who are identified with delays or deemed at-risk based on a medical
condition or environmental exposure that may result in developmental delays. Local
school district providers bring services to the home to support families in
encouraging their child’s development. Early Intervention is evidence-based as
a process that will catch children early to increase the probability that they
will be ready to learn by Kindergarten. If you have concerns about your child’s
development, please contact Megan Myers at the ESU office in Sidney (308-254-4677).
Special Education: Garden County Schools have certified staff
to provide additional services to children ages three to 21 that continue to
need support as they navigate the educational system. If you have concerns
about your child’s learning, please contact GCS (308-772-3336).
Wow! Look at all that is happening for the youngest learners
in Garden County! Take time to thank an early childhood professional this week
for making the positive difference in a child’s life!