Moving Beyond Storytime - Florida Library Webinars · Moving Beyond Storytime: Rethinking Preschool and Daycare Outreach April Watkins, Early Childhood Senior Librarian Suffolk Public

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

[email protected]

757-514-7324

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